See how Mark worked through PTSD, depression, and alcohol dependence built up over three decades in a high-stress profession, through a coordinated 14-week program.
Mark spent over three decades in a high-stress profession, during which he experienced significant trauma and loss, including the deaths of several colleagues. He carried a persistent sense of guilt, believing he could have done more to help, after confronting severe and distressing situations repeatedly over many years.
By the time he reached out to Goodsky, he was experiencing extreme fatigue, mental fogginess, and persistent confusion. He had grown emotionally distant from loved ones, was dependent on alcohol, and had withdrawn from social contact, along with chronic insomnia and a deep distrust of others. At his lowest point, he had experienced suicidal thoughts.
Standardised assessments at intake reflected moderate depression, moderate anxiety, and severe stress on the DASS-21, alongside significant deficiencies across multiple neurotransmitters.
Goodsky designed a 14-week programme with 15 practitioners across 15 disciplines, structured to stabilise, treat, and integrate change over time rather than in a single intensive block.
Stabilisation, extensive testing, therapy, biometric monitoring, education and support.
Intensive shared care to evaluate, treat root causes, educate and support.
Continued therapy and treatment at home with coaching and support.
Trauma-focused therapy addressing trauma, stress, mindset, and emotional regulation.
The EAGALA model, for self-regulation, emotional awareness, and relational confidence.
One-on-one non-verbal processing of trauma through creative expression.
One-on-one breathwork and mindfulness for nervous system regulation.
Comprehensive testing explored biological contributors to Mark's presentation through blood, saliva, and stool analysis, alongside ongoing medical review and pathology monitoring.
Functional testing, nutritional medicine, supplement protocols, and lifestyle optimisation.
Targeted dietary intervention supporting gut health, neurotransmitter production, and inflammation.
Structural assessment, manual therapy, and traditional practitioner-led sessions within Mark's physical-support plan.
Guided movement, functional fitness, and ongoing lifestyle coaching for sustainable wellbeing.
Therapeutic massage for tension release and pain management.
Heat therapy sessions alongside core-stability and body-awareness training.
Also included: case management throughout all three phases, private beachside accommodation, chef-prepared meals, and daily guest support and transfers.
| Measure | At intake | Week 8 re-test |
|---|---|---|
| Depression (DASS-21) | Moderate | Normal |
| Anxiety (DASS-21) | Moderate | Normal |
| Stress (DASS-21) | Severe | Normal |
By week 8, the majority of tracked health markers showed improvement or resolution, including reduced fatigue, more stable mood, clearer cognition, improved sleep quality, a lower resting heart rate, and reduced digestive and pain symptoms. Mark was no longer dependent on alcohol, and some medications were reduced or ceased under medical supervision.
| Domain | Before | After (week 8) |
|---|---|---|
| PTSD | Active symptoms, suicidal ideation | Stabilised, no active symptoms reported |
| Fatigue | Constant | Largely resolved |
| Mood | Frequent swings, anger, irritability | Significantly lifted, more stable |
| Cognition | Poor memory, frequent confusion | Clearer thinking, improved memory |
| Sleep | Chronic insomnia | Improved REM sleep quality |
| Digestion | Frequent constipation, reflux | Rarely present |
| Alcohol | Dependent | No longer dependent |
| Social | Strong aversion, distrust of others | More positive overall outlook |
Blood, saliva, and stool testing identified biological contributors that were compounding Mark's psychological symptoms.
| Finding | Detail |
|---|---|
| High ferritin | Elevated serum iron, possibly masked by regular blood donation. |
| Low gut flora | Reduced beneficial bacteria involved in neurotransmitter production, essential fatty acid synthesis, and energy production. |
| Parasite detected | Contributing to digestive discomfort and impacting nutrient absorption. |
| Elevated oestradiol | Significantly above healthy range, addressed through targeted supplementation. |
| Low cortisol & DHEA | Indicative of long-term adrenal stress, linked to low mood, fatigue, and reduced stress tolerance. |
| Neurotransmitter deficiency | Deficiencies across multiple markers including dopamine, serotonin, and GABA — a pattern linked to cognitive impairment, sleep disruption, and heightened trauma response. |
Neurotransmitter levels were retested at week 8 and showed substantial recovery from initial deficiency levels.
This case underscores the importance of mental health support for those in high-stress professions. In a program involving several treatments at once, change can't be attributed to any single element, but the care team identified three factors they believed were particularly important.
Fifteen practitioners across 15 disciplines worked collaboratively under Goodsky's case management, rather than treating PTSD in isolation.
Without comprehensive pathology, the neurotransmitter deficiencies, parasitic infection, and adrenal fatigue would likely have remained undetected and continued to undermine talk therapy alone.
The residential setting removed Mark from his high-stress environment, supporting nutrition, sleep, activity, and stress exposure alongside intensive therapy.
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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.
