Ash Davis
My time at the Dorm truly changed the trajectory of my life, and that is not an overstatement! I entered the program with very little hope for the future and minimal motivation to keep going. The structure and accountability I found at the Dorm was deeply paramount to getting me out of that dark place. Moreover, what really made the experience truly impactful was the clinical team I worked with. My therapist and coach were both extremely thoughtful, engaged, consistent, and truly went above and beyond every step of the way. They were able to hold me accountable while remaining compassionate in a way that facilitated real change in me. Over time, their care transformed my life and helped me rebuild community, rediscover interests, and imagine a future worth living. During my time at the Dorm, I returned to finish my bachelor's degree and am now pursuing graduate education (goals that once felt extremely out of reach for me)! Therapeutic fit and willingness to change seem like important variables that can impact the experience you have here (or any mental health institution in general). I am deeply grateful that I was paired with a team that completely saw me and whose approach aligned with what I needed at that time. Additionally, I am grateful that I found the Dorm at a point where I was incredibly open to and dedicated to changing. This combination led to an impact that has lasted, and I find myself moving through the world differently now than I did before this program. I do not believe any institution like this can ever be perfect. Treatment is complex, and healing is not linear. But for me, this was the right place, right support, right time. If I had to make the decision again, I would in a heartbeat.