Mental Health Services for Aaliyah
Donation protected
As many of you already know, Aaliyah has had multiple psychiatric hospital stays. This started in 7th grade after an extremely traumatic incident. By 9th grade she was unable to regulate her emotions and was cutting herself with a razor to relieve stress. That was the start of her hospital journey. Since then, she has been in patient at the hospital 6 times and partially hospitalized 2 times. The most recent hospitalization was a stay that started on June 18th and lasted until July 12th.
Anyone who knows Aaliyah, knows that she is a sweet, passionate, loving young woman. She is motivated, smart and creative. She is working hard to finish High School and Trade School simultaneously so that she can graduate with her diploma and a cosmetology license at the same time. So far, she is doing great! Her biggest challenge is her mental health. She has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures. We have tried several different medications, counseling, psychiatric therapy, group therapy and more...all with varying results.
After this last hospital stay, I did a lot of research. I found a program called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) which is an intensive therapy program that helps to change the way someone's brain processes stress, depression, etc. The professionals think Aaliyah is a prime candidate for this therapy and I think it is exactly what she needs to continue meeting her goals. The down side to DBT is that it is only offered at a few places in our area. Luckily, we were able to get into a DBT counselor and Aaliyah has already started her therapy sessions. We are both so hopeful and excited to see where this path can take her.
Now to my need. DBT is expensive. It is $82 per session. For 6 weeks, Aaliyah and I go once a week. After that, she will go 2 times per week for a year. She also has a psychologist appointment once a month that will cost $145 for the first visit and around $75 for each session after that. For us, that is a HUGE financial commitment. I am hoping that you will find this a worthwhile course of action and would be willing to donate to help us meet these counseling expenses. I can assure you that your help will not be in vain. Aaliyah is determined to be a success and I am determined to do everything in my power to help her meet her goals.
Any support you can offer would be very, very appreciated.
Love and Hugs, Hannah
Anyone who knows Aaliyah, knows that she is a sweet, passionate, loving young woman. She is motivated, smart and creative. She is working hard to finish High School and Trade School simultaneously so that she can graduate with her diploma and a cosmetology license at the same time. So far, she is doing great! Her biggest challenge is her mental health. She has been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Depression, Anxiety, and Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures. We have tried several different medications, counseling, psychiatric therapy, group therapy and more...all with varying results.
After this last hospital stay, I did a lot of research. I found a program called Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) which is an intensive therapy program that helps to change the way someone's brain processes stress, depression, etc. The professionals think Aaliyah is a prime candidate for this therapy and I think it is exactly what she needs to continue meeting her goals. The down side to DBT is that it is only offered at a few places in our area. Luckily, we were able to get into a DBT counselor and Aaliyah has already started her therapy sessions. We are both so hopeful and excited to see where this path can take her.
Now to my need. DBT is expensive. It is $82 per session. For 6 weeks, Aaliyah and I go once a week. After that, she will go 2 times per week for a year. She also has a psychologist appointment once a month that will cost $145 for the first visit and around $75 for each session after that. For us, that is a HUGE financial commitment. I am hoping that you will find this a worthwhile course of action and would be willing to donate to help us meet these counseling expenses. I can assure you that your help will not be in vain. Aaliyah is determined to be a success and I am determined to do everything in my power to help her meet her goals.
Any support you can offer would be very, very appreciated.
Love and Hugs, Hannah
Organizer
Nancy Aston
Organizer
Cincinnati, OH
