Success Stories
“Cerinda” is a four-year-old girl who lives at home with her mother, step-father and two older siblings. She was expelled from her day care program due to dramatic and unpredictable mood swings and aggressive outbursts directed at peers and adults. Her outbursts were more than “tantrums” and she would throw things, tear at her clothes, and bite, kick, and scratch others. She was referred to the program by her pediatrician after her parents exhausted other options. Once in treatment, Cerinda underwent a psychiatric assessment. She was diagnosed with depression and post traumatic stress disorder and placed on medication. Shortly thereafter Cerinda disclosed that she had been sexually abused by a nine-year old cousin and that the abuse had continued for several months. In addition to medication, Cerinda received individual and group therapy to address concerns. After nine months in treatment her behavior had improved and she was returned to her regular classroom setting. She has continued on medication and participates in individual and family therapy at SVFC to continue her recovery from the abuse. The school and her mother report her behavior has dramatically improved and she is able to be maintained in a regular classroom setting.
