“Jose’s” Story

Jose's world shattered when his partner, Ana—the mother of his child—was tragically killed by a drunk driver. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Jose turned to alcohol to numb the pain, feeling powerless and consumed by the belief that he had failed to protect her. His life unraveled, and he withdrew from his daughter, haunted by nightmares of the accident and a profound sense of loss.

As the one-year anniversary of Ana’s death approached, Jose sought help. Fortunately, his therapist, thanks to the Gavin Farrell Foundation, was trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), a first-line, evidence-based treatment for PTSD designed to teach clients how to identify and challenge unhelpful and unrealistic beliefs about trauma.

CPT changed Jose’s life. Through therapy, he learned to challenge the harmful beliefs he had internalized, particularly the belief that he could have somehow prevented the tragedy. He began to understand that the accident wasn’t his fault and that self-blame was holding him back from healing. In just 11 sessions, the transformation was undeniable. Jose found the strength to reconnect with his daughter and rediscover the joy in their relationship. He also began sharing fond memories of Ana and processed another trauma—the loss of his brother. Now, sober and more determined than ever, Jose is focused on building a future for his daughter, applying for jobs, and rediscovering hope.

Jose’s journey from despair to healing is a powerful reminder that evidence-based treatments for PTSD can bring profound change and help people reclaim their lives.