Cathy and Jason
A family finds hope in their community.
Cathy is a single mother of ten year old Jason. Cathy grew up in a home where both parents abused drugs and had an extensive history of depression. Her upbringing lacked nurturance and she did not have positive role models for effective parenting. As an adult, Cathy had abused drugs and has had a series of abusive relationships. Jason experienced his mother mostly high and was extremely anxious, especially when his mother was anywhere outside the home. Cathy spent long hours in her bedroom “sleeping” and Jason’s upbringing began to lack the same nurturance that Cathy had experienced. Jason learned to take care of himself the best he could. Eventually, Cathy was convicted for drug possession and served 2 ½ years in the county jail. While in jail, Cathy began her recovery from drugs and alcohol.
While his mother was incarcerated, Jason lived with his grandmother and uncle. After serving her sentence, Cathy moved in with her mother and described the transition as rough. She found herself torn between her own needs and the needs of her son. One of the initial challenges the family faced was Cathy’s impatience with Jason’s neediness and anxiety. Jason would phone her several times when he was separated from her and his panic escalating with each frantic call. Cathy found this irritating and instead of reassuring him, she heightened his anxiety by not soothing him.
Cathy sought out therapy services for her and Jason because of the challenging transition they found themselves in. However she had difficulty receiving the type of services they needed due to Cathy’s inability to pay. Cathy heard that The Counseling Center of Milwaukee, Inc. offered family services regardless of a client’s income level. She scheduled an appointment with a TCCM therapist, and since they began therapy, both Cathy and Jason have received the support they needed. They were able to understand that given their life situation, this was a normal process. By learning some helpful parenting skills and using cognitive behavioral techniques, Cathy learned how to tolerate her son’s feelings and Jason learned how to reduce his anxiety when he began to feel it.
Cathy got a job and saved enough money so that she and Jason could move into their own apartment. Cathy has remained sober and has had no more legal problems. She and Jason have begun to spend time together. Cathy is very involved in Jason’s school and helps with adult supervision on school field trips. Jason’s anxiety has decreased although he is still having some difficulties in school. Cathy is learning more effective parenting skills and is in a better position to help her son with his school problems.