You’ve Been Carrying Too Much on Your Own.

John* and Margaret* have been married for 30 years. Their two adult children, Mary and Jason, recently moved out. The couple is partially retired and runs a small, profitable business that has faced financial strain after Jason took money from the register without their knowledge. John no longer wants Jason involved in their home or business, which was the primary reason Jason moved out.

Margaret, deeply attached to her only son, continues to see him privately and provide financial support without John’s knowledge. When John discovered this, it intensified their conflict.

Rebecca* is a 15-year-old girl who began therapy at her parents’ urging due to escalating fears that now prevent her from riding in a car, attending school, or spending time with friends. She refuses to leave the house most days, convinced something bad will happen to her.

After watching Final Destination at a friend’s house, she became preoccupied with the possibility that similar scenarios could happen in her own life. Rebecca attends church every Sunday and says it’s the only time she feels safe leaving home. She believes that because she’s going to spend time with God, nothing bad will happen to her.

Sally* and Jeff*, both in their early twenties, met through a church young adult group and were friends for a year before they began dating. They care deeply for one another and hope to marry. Both face mental health challenges. Jeff receives weekly ketamine treatments, and Sally struggles with severe anxiety that makes trying new things overwhelming.

Although they enjoy being together, attempts to go out often trigger Sally’s panic, so they end up leaving early. These experiences leave Jeff feeling discouraged and defeated. Jeff recently received a job offer in North Dakota and may move alone if things don’t improve — a possibility that feels heartbreaking.

Hellen* is 24 years old and is on active duty in the Navy. She was raised by a single mother who often dated violent and abusive men. Hellen was abused by three of these men when she was a child. She was assaulted twice by other sailors and has difficulty trusting men.

Hellen doesn’t believe any of them have genuine intentions. She’s been in a relationship with a man she met in the Navy for a year and is now pregnant with his child. She struggles to trust him and fears things may worsen after the baby is born. Hellen feels a strong urge to disappear and raise her baby on her own, and doesn’t feel safe leaving her child with anyone.

Angela*, the oldest of four, grew up in a single-parent home where she became a caretaker and second parent at just 10 years old. She was never allowed to simply be a child. Whenever she tried to focus on herself, she was punished and overwhelmed with guilt. After her mother passed away in early adulthood, Angela moved in with her grandparents and cared for them for the next ten years, while her younger siblings entered foster care.

Now that her grandparents have also passed, Angela feels lost. She doesn’t know what she enjoys or how to live for herself. She has come to therapy hoping to discover who she is and how to find happiness.