How Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy Restored Aydan’s Future

Aydan finds clarity and calm through trauma-informed psychotherapy.

Aydan is 28. To those around him, he appeared stable and capable. He is an accountant, reliable at work, and outwardly successful. Few people knew that beneath this steady exterior, he had been carrying years of emotional pain on his own.

Aydan sought help shortly after the sudden death of his mother, following a recommendation from a hospital medical social worker. He had been her primary caregiver for years as she lived with chronic illness. Her passing did not only take away someone he loved deeply. It dismantled the role, identity, and sense of purpose that had quietly shaped his adult life.

Growing up, Aydan experienced emotional neglect and repeated disruptions in care. Raised by his grandparents until his early teens, he learned early that safety and affection were uncertain.

Achievement became his way to survive. If he performed well and remained useful, he felt he might be worthy of care.

When his mother died, these unresolved wounds reopened all at once.

By the time Aydan came for counselling, he was in severe distress. He struggled with depression, anxiety, complicated grief, and overwhelming shame. He experienced persistent suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges, and harsh inner voices telling him he was a burden. Within a short period, he made several suicide attempts and was hospitalised for nearly three weeks following one attempt. Alcohol and self-harm became ways to numb pain he did not know how to hold.

Without timely and affordable psychotherapy, Aydan was at high risk of repeated

hospitalisation and further suicide attempts.

Through the BEACON programme, O’Joy’s community based mental health counselling service for young adults in distress, Aydan began receiving weekly trauma informed psychotherapy. The work focused first on safety and stabilisation, before gently moving into grief and trauma processing.

Therapy helped Aydan understand and care for the parts of himself shaped by loss, fear, and severe self-criticism. He learned grounding and emotion regulation skills and began rebuilding a sense of self beyond achievement and caregiving. Recovery required sustained effort. Aydan journalled regularly, sought support from friends, exercised, took time away from work, and travelled with his partner to reconnect with his body and mind through nature. Despite deep depression and grief, he remained committed to his own healing.

After four months, the change was clear.

Aydan has not made any further suicide attempts. He no longer hears critical voices. He no longer relies on self-harm or binge drinking to cope. Panic attacks at work have stopped, and he has rediscovered focus and meaning in his job. He is able to set boundaries with his father and no longer dreads family interactions. While sleep remains an ongoing challenge, his emotional regulation and daily functioning have improved significantly.

Grief still comes in waves, especially on birthdays and festive occasions. Instead of being overwhelmed, Aydan now prepares for these moments with awareness and self-compassion.

He is learning how to maintain a meaningful inner relationship with his mother, even though she is no longer physically present.

Today, Aydan looks toward the future with renewed hope. He speaks about travel plans, his upcoming wedding, and possible career changes. His suicide risk is now assessed as low to moderate and well managed, supported by strong coping skills and meaningful relationships.

Aydan’s story reminds us that many young adults who appear successful are quietly struggling. Accessible and sustained psychotherapy can be lifesaving. With the right support at the right time, recovery is possible.