Collette deeply valued family, connection, and personal growth. Even during some of the most difficult moments of her life, she remained determined to find stability and preserve the relationships that mattered most to her. Though the challenges she faced often left her feeling isolated and uncertain, her resilience and willingness to keep moving forward never disappeared. As violence within her relationship escalated, Collette faced increasing safety concerns and experienced more than a year of being unhoused, searching for safety and a path forward.
Despite these challenges, she maintained a close relationship with her parents, who became an essential source of support during this difficult chapter of her life. Recognizing the growing danger she faced, Collette’s parents encouraged her to contact domestic violence shelters and seek help. As she reached out to programs across the community, she connected with Human Options and was welcomed into shelter services, taking her first critical step toward safety and healing. When she arrived at Human Options, she was severely anxious and depressed and found it difficult to process the abuse she had endured.
Over time, Collette became deeply engaged in the therapeutic process. Through counseling and support services, she learned new coping skills and grounding techniques that helped her manage anxiety and navigate difficult emotions. She built meaningful relationships with fellow survivors and gradually gained confidence in her ability to shape her future. As her healing progressed, she began setting goals for herself and envisioning a life beyond abuse.
Through therapy, she began distinguishing healthy relationships from harmful ones and trusting her judgment again. Collette also showed remarkable courage by taking legal action against the person who harmed her by obtaining a restraining order, a milestone that reflected her growing confidence, self-worth, and commitment to safety
Today, Collette’s symptoms that once felt overwhelming have significantly decreased, and she continues to make meaningful progress toward healing and independence. Collette’s journey reflects the resilience that exists within so many survivors, and the life-changing impact that support, trust, and opportunity can have on the path toward healing.
[MR1]@Arezoo Shahbazi Roa please let me know if you have questions.
