By: Ruchika Puri, MA, LMFT
Stephanie, a single mother of three school-aged boys, was referred to El Centro de Amistad through the CalWORKs GAIN program during a particularly challenging time in her life. At intake, she shared that over the past year, she had been struggling to manage daily responsibilities and was seeking support to regain a sense of balance and confidence.
Living with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem had begun to affect not only her home life but also her ability to engage in the community and work toward re-entering the workforce. At the same time, Stephanie was navigating grief and loss, ongoing family stressors, and the personal work of maintaining her sobriety.
Despite these challenges, Stephanie showed up consistently and committed herself to the therapeutic process. Through her work with her therapist, utilizing a combination of Interpersonal Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, she began building coping skills, strengthening her self-confidence, and learning new ways to manage her symptoms. She also took a courageous step forward by working with ECDA’s Employment Specialist to explore career options and begin rebuilding her path toward financial independence.
Today, Stephanie is thriving. She reports improved emotional well-being, greater presence for herself and her children, and continued success in maintaining her sobriety. She has also completed a Phlebotomy Internship, positioning her to pursue employment in a new and promising field.
Stephanie’s journey is a powerful reminder that even when the road feels overwhelming, progress is possible. With the right support, determination, and belief in oneself, meaningful and lasting change can happen.
