When I was initially diagnosed with depression and anxiety, I began looking for help in my hometown in Brazil. I wanted to get it over with as quickly and painlessly as possible. I really wanted to move on with my life. After a few months of getting help here, I realized I could not deal with it the way I wanted to, and could not find the help that matched my needs and expectations. It was then that the search for help outside of my country began and I learned about CAST Centers.
In retrospect, I feel like it was meant to be. I began the process by calling the admissions team and it was their patience and kindness that helped me make the decision to fly to Los Angeles and enter into their program. All of my expectations were exceeded when I arrived.
Living in their Transitional Living Apartments, sharing my experience in the PHP groups, and working with my wonderful therapist Amelia was the perfect match for what I needed. Learning to see myself differently, and gaining healthy coping mechanisms to deal with my depression and anxiety was life-changing.
I have no words to describe the support I got from all the amazing staff at Transitional Living and the clinical team at the center. Not to mention the amazing friends I made while I was there. It was hard to leave and say goodbye to everyone. But I left feeling much more prepared to deal with life and to face the challenges ahead of me when I flew home.
I will never be able to express how grateful I am for having this opportunity and for everyone I met while I was there.
Muito obrigada!
