Stephen's Story
Stephen, was struggling with outbursts of anger, an embattled relationship with his mother and siblings, and long periods of depression during which he would find it hard to take care of himself.
After an earlier unsuccessful period of therapy elsewhere, he started therapy at the Brent Centre. Stephen was very intelligent and inquisitive. From the start, he was very keen to stress that aged five he had lost his father to a short illness, but that this had nothing to do with his present difficulties. However, it quickly emerged that, following his father’s death, Stephen had become very angry, and regularly burst into tantrums. He now found himself projecting confidence but feeling isolated. Outside of the home, Stephen contained his anger but continued to clash with his mother, while feeling stuck as the unlovable ‘bad child’.
Weekly therapy involved gently working with Stephen to think about how he may be protecting himself from needing people close to him, and how painful it was to consider losing someone else that meant a lot to him.
Stephen became slowly more open to the work, which proved more challenging given some new rejections along the way from his peers. However, with the support of therapy, Stephen was able to become more open to the world and to give others a chance. He didn’t spiral into depression and in the summer managed to achieve two very important goals: secure the right grades for Oxford University and begin his first intimate relationship.
Stephen finished therapy after reaching these milestones, and in his last therapy session, told his therapist how much the work done together had really helped him to move forward.
We offer a range of talking therapies for young people, including one-to-one, group, and family/parent work.