“Maria’s” Story

For years, “Maria” endured unimaginable pain and terror at the hands of her abuser, a journey that left her isolated and filled with despair. In her mid-40s, after surviving multiple attempts on her life and relentless emotional and physical abuse, she sought treatment at a Gavin Farrell Foundation partner agency. Maria was a shadow of herself, gripped by anxiety, unable to see a path forward, and convinced that she held no value or purpose. Her days were spent under the dark weight of self-blame and fear, haunted by the thought that her ex-abuser might still find her, robbing her of the simplest joys and a sense of safety.

When Maria met her therapist, trained in Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), thanks to the support of the Gavin Farrell Foundation, she was introduced to a compassionate approach that would change her life. CPT, a specialized and highly effective treatment for PTSD, focuses on challenging and reshaping the harmful beliefs that survivors often carry. Maria’s therapist guided her through an assessment, where her PTSD score was an alarming 71 out of 80 on the PCL-5 checklist—an indicator of severe PTSD, accompanied by intense depression. Together, they created a treatment plan, deciding that CPT would be the best path to help Maria reclaim her life.

Through 12 transformative sessions, Maria began to experience profound shifts. Slowly, her crushing symptoms of PTSD and depression lifted, and by the final session, her PTSD score had dropped to an astonishing 16. For the first time in years, Maria could see herself as more than her trauma. She challenged the beliefs that had once trapped her in shame and fear, rediscovering her strength and sense of self-worth. Her energy returned, her drive reawakened, and she began pursuing a new career—one where she could confidently embrace her talents and the positive aspects of her identity.

Maria’s journey is a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of Evidence-based treatments like CPT. No longer defined by the horrors of her past, Maria has transformed her life, stepping forward with resilience, purpose, and the knowledge that she is more than her trauma—she is a survivor, empowered and free.