“Ava’s” Story

Ava, a 23-year-old woman, had spent most of her life carrying the weight of childhood sexual abuse. While she appeared to move forward on the surface, the effects of her trauma seeped into every part of her life. She struggled with overwhelming self-blame, constant intrusive thoughts, and relentless nightmares that kept her anchored to the past.

Ava withdrew from meaningful connection, unable to trust men or even other women. The shame she carried shaped how she presented herself, influencing everything from her interactions to the clothes she chose to wear.

When Ava was introduced to Written Exposure Therapy, or WET, she was hesitant. “Five sessions? It works that fast?” she asked with skepticism. WET required Ava to engage directly with her trauma through structured writing exercises. There was no homework, only an invitation to sit with her thoughts rather than suppress them.

The idea of facing her trauma without avoidance was terrifying. Despite her reservations, Ava committed to the process and pushed herself beyond her comfort zone.

By session three, something shifted. During a writing exercise, Ava experienced what she described as an “out-of-body” moment. As she wrote, it no longer felt as though she was reliving the trauma. Instead, she felt as if she were observing it from a distance. For the first time, Ava could separate the past from the present.

By the end of the five-session protocol, Ava experienced a powerful reduction in her PTSD symptoms. When she first entered therapy, she was closed off, burdened by depression, and hesitant to let anyone in. After completing WET, she described feeling lighter and more empowered to share her story with trusted individuals. She even noticed a meaningful shift in how she interacted with men. Where there was once fear and avoidance, there was now a cautious openness.

Ava’s journey is a testament to the power of trauma-focused therapy, particularly the effectiveness of Written Exposure Therapy. In just five sessions, she reached breakthroughs that many struggle to achieve over years of treatment. The transformation was life-changing for her and deeply meaningful for her clinician.

Ava’s therapist, based in the Austin area, has received training in Written Exposure Therapy, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Prolonged Exposure Therapy through the support of the Gavin Farrell Foundation. She serves a client population with high rates of trauma, including survivors of domestic violence, first responders, and veterans, and recognizes the importance of being trained in proven trauma therapy modalities.

Thanks to the generous support of the Gavin Farrell Foundation, mental health providers like Ava’s clinician can deliver evidence-based treatments that change lives every day.