Thirteen-year-old Alex* had endured multiple foster care home moves that left them feeling unsafe and disconnected, with suicidal thoughts and daily outbursts of shouting, hitting, and throwing things.

When they entered Seneca’s emergency placement program, they began individual child therapy with a clinician to process significant early childhood trauma and explore their gender identity.

While seeing the therapist every week, Alex also worked with one of our child psychiatrists each month for anxiety treatment and to manage significant mood changes.

When they were placed in a foster home, Therapeutic Behavioral Services (TBS) were introduced to Alex and their foster moms to help stabilize their new placement with:

• In-home coaching
• Crisis support to reduce behavioral escalations
• Positive communication techniques and habits
• Strengthening daily coping skills

All three worked together with TBS’ supports and successfully met the care plan goals.

Our Family Finding service located Alex’s grandmother, who wanted to reconnect. Because their grandmother had limited understanding about gender identity, our team helped educate and guide her to become an affirming presence for Alex, and supported relationship building between her and the two foster moms.

This layered and challenging process was all worth it. Alex began to rebuild a sense of stability, identity, acceptance, and belonging, supported by our team and their network.

* Not their real name.