See how Mia, 17, worked through PTSD, anxiety, and depression through a four-month coordinated programme for teenagers, involving her family throughout.
Mia, 17, has ASD and ADHD, and was referred to Goodsky with anxiety, PTSD, trauma, depression, and relationship difficulties. Her health history included a serious infection in infancy and a significant trauma at age 12, alongside her parents' separation. In her own words, her goal was to live a happy and fulfilling life without anxiety.
She presented with difficulty concentrating, mood swings, irritability, disrupted sleep, daily headaches, full-body tension, lightheadedness, chest tightness, and minimal physical activity.
| Measure | Intake (March 2025) |
|---|---|
| Depression (DASS-21) | 13 — Severe |
| Anxiety (DASS-21) | 9 — Severe |
| Stress (DASS-21) | 15 — Severe |
| PCL-5 (PTSD) | 40/80 — Likely |
Goodsky designed a four-month programme across three phases, delivered by a team of specialist practitioners across 12 modalities, with family involvement woven throughout.
Assessments, pathology, and initial therapy at home.
Intensive treatment on the Sunshine Coast.
Ongoing therapy and support at home.
| Modality | Practitioner |
|---|---|
| Psychotherapy | Sabine Schroeder |
| Somatic & Family Psychotherapy | Matt Dilges |
| Equine-Assisted Therapy (EAGALA) | Helen Sorensen & Sharon Lederlin |
| Art & Sensorimotor Therapy | Sharon Lederlin |
| Behavioural Naturopathy | Tess Fazio |
| Frequency Specific Microcurrent | Monica Williams |
| Exercise Physiology | Brittany Hall |
Also included: private pathology panel, approximately three months of tailored supplementation, chef-prepared meals, 16 nights of private beachside accommodation, daily guest support, dietary education, and 12 hours of family psychotherapy support.
| Measure | March 2025 (intake) | July 2025 (mid) | October 2025 (post) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depression | 13 — Severe | 4 — Normal | 2 — Normal |
| Anxiety | 9 — Severe | 2 — Normal | 3 — Normal |
| Stress | 15 — Severe | 5 — Normal | 5 — Normal |
| PCL-5 (PTSD) | 40/80 — Likely | 8/80 — Unlikely | 14/80 — Unlikely |
| Area | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
| Headaches | Daily | Resolved |
| Energy | 4/10 | 7/10 |
| Body tension | Described as overwhelming | Resolved |
| Sleep | Difficulty settling | Much improved |
| Focus | Gave up easily under pressure | Studying through exam periods |
| Mood | Swings, irritability | More stable |
Midway through the programme, Mia used picture cards to map her progress in psychotherapy, and identified the horses in her equine therapy sessions as one of her most helpful supports — describing them as teaching her to hold her ground. She also found grounding through calming, sensory self-regulation techniques.
Equine-assisted therapy became a significant resource for Mia, helping her recognise and set boundaries through non-verbal communication, which she carried into her daily interactions with more confidence. In naturopathy sessions, targeted supplementation supported her energy, sleep, and mood, and her practitioner noted a growing ability to keep going with schoolwork even in moments she would previously have given up.
By the later stages of the programme, Mia was attending appointments independently, was asserting herself more confidently with teachers, and had begun actively planning her next steps, including university applications.
In a program involving several treatments at once, change can't be attributed to any single element. The care team identified three factors they believed were particularly important in Mia's program.
Twelve modalities worked together across psychotherapy, naturopathy, and allied health, rather than addressing symptoms in isolation.
Family psychotherapy support ran alongside Mia's individual care, helping the wider household adjust together.
The residential phase, supported by ongoing at-home integration, gave Mia space to build skills and confidence over time.
We're happy to talk it through.
Get in TouchThis case study reflects one individual's experience. Names and identifying details have been changed to protect privacy. Individual results vary.
