See how Amy worked through complex PTSD, burnout, and metabolic health challenges at Goodsky's residential retreat — a personalised, coordinated program addressing her mental and physical health together.
Amy arrived at Goodsky with complex PTSD, alongside severe burnout after leaving her job. She was reliant on stimulant medication to function, her sleep pattern had shifted well into the day, and everyday tasks like showering felt overwhelming.
Her presentation went beyond psychological symptoms. She was managing Type 1 diabetes with volatile blood sugar, chronic gastric reflux requiring daily medication, an extremely restricted diet, and persistent physical symptoms including dizziness, headaches, and numbness.
Standardised assessments at intake — DASS-21, PCL-5, and ACE — reflected a presentation consistent with probable PTSD alongside extremely severe depression, anxiety, and stress, and indicated a significant history of early adversity within the home environment.
Previous one-to-one care had not produced the stability Amy and her family were seeking. The interaction between psychological trauma, metabolic stress, nervous system dysregulation, and physical symptoms meant that addressing any single factor in isolation was unlikely to produce lasting change.
Goodsky designed a 26-day residential program built around the principle that complex presentations benefit from coordinated, multi-modal treatment. Independent consulting practitioners worked together across eight disciplines, coordinated by Goodsky's case management team.
Addressing early relational trauma and embodied stress responses, with joint family sessions to address system patterns.
PTSD symptoms, self-regulation, and cognitive patterns through NLP, gestalt, systemic constellations, and breathwork.
A somatic, non-verbal pathway for processing trauma that was difficult to access through talk therapy alone.
The EAGALA model, used for self-regulation, emotional awareness, and relational confidence in a non-clinical setting.
Comprehensive testing explored possible biological contributors to Amy's symptoms, including mineral balance, gut function, blood sugar patterns, and nutritional status. A targeted supplement protocol was developed from the results and continued after discharge.
Pathology included blood panels, microbiome analysis, hair tissue mineral analysis, organic acids testing, pharmacogenomic profiling, and genomic health assessment.
Practitioner-led sessions incorporated into Amy's broader physical-support plan.
Gentle practitioner-led sessions within Amy's physical-support plan.
Structural assessment and manual therapy, paced to Amy's needs.
Individually guided movement, including walking, kayaking, and paddleboarding, paced to Amy's capacity.
The residential setting allowed the treatment team to manage variables that can affect recovery: a personal chef worked alongside the naturopath on meals designed to support blood sugar stability and gut repair; case management coordinated all practitioner schedules, transport, and session spacing; and private beachside accommodation provided a calm, secure base throughout the program.
By the end of the program, Amy and her family described noticeable change across mood, energy, and day-to-day functioning. A follow-up assessment at 3.5 months post-discharge indicated the improvement in PTSD symptoms had been sustained.
| Domain | At intake | By follow-up |
|---|---|---|
| Mood | Irritable, persistent low mood, self-doubt | Reported as noticeably more stable and settled |
| Energy | Very low without medication | Higher, sustained without stimulant medication |
| Stress | High — everyday tasks felt overwhelming | Lower baseline, with manageable peaks |
| Sleep | Delayed sleep pattern, overnight disruptions | Earlier, more consistent sleep through the night |
| Employment | Had left her job, unable to work | Returned to physically demanding work without medication |
| Blood sugar | Volatile, with overnight events | More stable, with fewer overnight events |
| Gut health | Chronic reflux, daily antacid use | Reflux symptoms resolved |
| Diet | Highly restricted, difficult to discuss food | Wider variety, open to trying new foods |
| Medication | Reliant on stimulant medication | Functioning without stimulants |
In a program involving several treatments at once, it isn't possible to attribute change to any single element. The care team identified three factors they believed were particularly important in Amy's program.
Rather than treating symptoms one at a time, the program addressed the interaction between psychological trauma, nervous system dysregulation, metabolic factors, and physical symptoms together.
Comprehensive pathology helped identify physical contributors that may otherwise have continued to interact with psychological treatment.
The residential setting supported nutrition, sleep, activity, and stress management alongside the therapeutic work.
Post-program, Amy continues with a targeted naturopathic supplement protocol addressing the mineral and nutrient patterns identified during her time at Goodsky. Follow-up pathology is scheduled for late 2026 to monitor progress and adjust the protocol as needed.
At 3.5 months post-discharge, a follow-up assessment indicated the improvements had held outside the residential environment, with Amy living and working independently.
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Get in TouchThis case study reflects one individual's experience. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. Individual results vary.
