“Jocelyn” Story

Jocelyn endured nearly two decades of relentless verbal, emotional, and physical abuse at the hands of her husband. She was later sexually assaulted by her employer, leaving her broken and struggling to navigate even the simplest of daily tasks. Her confidence and self-esteem were shattered, and fear ruled her every moment. But after years of silent suffering, Jocelyn found the strength to seek help.

Her therapist, whose training in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) was sponsored by the Gavin Farrell Foundation, listened with compassion and completed an assessment that confirmed severe PTSD. Through CPT, Jocelyn learned to challenge the harmful beliefs that had taken root—beliefs that made her feel responsible for the abuse and assault. She had lived in constant fear, unable to trust her own sense of safety. But as the therapy progressed, Jocelyn began to reclaim her power.

Halfway through her treatment, a terrifying incident occurred—an employee at her apartment complex stalked her, triggering intense distress and necessitating hospitalization. Yet, even in this dark moment, Jocelyn’s resolve strengthened. The hospitalization gave her a moment to reset, and she returned to CPT with renewed determination. By the end of her 12 sessions, Jocelyn emerged transformed.

She rediscovered her confidence, feeling empowered to set and achieve goals without allowing her past to define her. She began loving herself again, securing a place to live and a car, rebuilding her relationship with her children and has set goals to further her education. Her dreams now extend beyond her own healing—she aspires to share her story through a podcast or other medium to inspire others on their journeys. CPT gave Jocelyn the tools to push through life’s stressors, recognize what she can and cannot control, and keep moving forward.