Jake’s Journey with Behavioral Support Services (BSS)
In working towards his goals of becoming more involved in the local community and developing his interpersonal connections, Jake has worked with the BSS program at Compass to develop his skills in working with anxiety around crowds.
Recently, Jake was invited to his sister’s wedding and had become anxious about attending. When the day drew close, Jake asked his DSP Eunice to attend the wedding with him. Eunice agreed and discussed what might happen at the event, addressed his questions and concerns, and helped Jake choose an outfit to wear.
Initially, Jake continued to be hesitant about going to the wedding. As they drove to the venue, his anxiety spiked, and he expressed his desire to turn back, fearing the potential crowd. However, Eunice handled the situation with remarkable patience and encouragement. Understanding Jake’s anxieties, she reassured him of the importance of creating memories with his family. She suggested a compromise: they would attend thewedding, and if Jake still felt uncomfortable upon arrival, she would bring him back home. This approach acknowledged Jake’s feelings while gently encouraging him to face his fears.
Upon arrival, Jake’s family was overjoyed to see him. Their warm welcome and expressions of happiness boosted Jake’s confidence, helping him feel more relaxed. Photos showed Jake with Eunice and several family members, looking dapper and clearly enjoying himself. He was having such a good time that when it was time to leave, Jake requested to stay longer. On the way home, Jake expressed how happy he was to have attended the wedding and had no regrets about going.
Through his diligence and hard work, Jake continues to reach milestones in his own journey. For the wedding, Eunice supported Jake by helping him to face his fears with a safety net in place, preparing him for the event, validating his feelings, and reminding him of his goals. These actions boosted Jake’s confidence and allowed him to enjoy the event, demonstrating the profound impact of patient and supportive behavioral interventions.
We are proud to celebrate this success with Jake and look forward to the impact that Compass’ BSS program will continue to have on all of its participants.
