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Initiative vs Guilt - Age 5 - Micro and Mezzo
My mother began targeting me as the scapegoat. My father became physically abusive to me and another sister who, in turn, began to abuse me as well. I believed it was my fault. There was something about me that they could not love. This bled into my social interactions outside of the home and my schoolwork as a teen. The positive out of this is that I was so desperate for my family’s approval that I did not ever feel peer pressure and avoided many undesirable school-age experiences. -
Identity vs Role Confusion - age 15 - All levels
I was sent to a therapeutic boarding school. The program at the school was based on the Twelve Steps and was eventually shut down for abuse. This reaffirmed my belief that I was worthless and that I was powerless over my abusers. It took me a while into young adulthood to stop perpetuating the victim identity. I learned that I have strength in leadership, empathy, and advocacy. My knowledge of the Twelve Steps and institutional abuse will be helpful in my future as a social worker. -
Intimacy vs Isolation - Ages 24-26 - All Levels
I lost a child and decided that if I was going to live I would need something to get me off the floor. The military worked. I was ostracized for helping other Marines report their sexual assaults. I was sent to a treatment facility for military women with PTSD/MST (military sexual trauma). I learned about DBT and CBT. Upon discharge, my Vocational Rehab counselor had me take a career scope assessment. This sent me on the path I am on today—self-improvement and obtaining a Masters in Social Work.
