Thank you for all the support and projects that helped me get through what I needed to express. What I learned in Poncho has kept me aware of what I need to do to follow my dreams as well as what I shouldn’t be doing.
The DBT skills book and classes have been very helpful in terms of communicating to my mother and my brother. Learning more about Mindfulness and Interpersonal Effectiveness has been vital to my process in terms of being more intoned with myself and what my needs are instead of focusing on my friends and everything else. Using opposite action has been the most helpful whenever I’m going through something that upsets me. Practicing mindfulness through the daily reflections has helped me stay present - consciously - instead of thinking what is next or what happened in the past.
My favorite parts of my progress are the projects and presenting them to my core. Those who were in my core were very helpful to my issues I was dealing with. The advice made me see things from a different perspective that helped me see my issues more clearly. It made me want to work on the issues more. I really enjoyed breaking boards with my own hand. It was very empowering.
The Poncho parties were also my favorite because I got to know everyone better in a relaxed environment. The Poncho outings were great as well because I got to know my friends outside of the Brookhaven environment.
Going on the outings made me practice some of these skills when needed, so that I can use real life examples - instead of just using the skills here. Shopping at Target forced me to practice mindfully – instead of buying things I like. That helped me stay focused on what I needed to buy, even though shopping can be very therapeutic.
Equine therapy brought out something I didn’t know I was aware of. It brought out things I didn’t realize I knew about myself.
Individual therapy was very helpful since it brought out what seemed like a plethora of things I had to work on. Most of the issues have been worked out.
I am thankful for Jacqueline, Katherine, and the Program Counselors for helping me when I needed it.
