​About Flora

Flora has experienced high levels of anxiety in secondary school. She was assaulted by a pupil outside of school, with Flora showing symptoms of PTSD following the attack. Flora struggles to leave the house, and her ability to cope in school deteriorated to the point where she was unable to attend. Flora attempted suicide, at which point the crisis team became involved. Following significant mental health decline, Flora stopped eating and drinking and was admitted to hospital. She has since developed an eating disorder where she will go days without eating or drinking. Flora struggles to interact with anyone outside of her close family. Flora had begun to isolate herself and had stopped speaking to the two friends that she had previously kept in touch with on social media. Flora was very inconsistent with tutoring, becoming disengaged with it. It was felt by all that the therapeutic approach of Stable and Wild would suit Flora well. 

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At Stable and Wild

Flora was originally booked in for six One to One sessions; from there Flora’s sessions were continued.  Within her first session Flora appeared quiet as coach made introductions. Coach spoke of what the session would entail, giving Flora support that if she found herself needing to return to her parents at any time, she was welcome to, as well as offering a shortened session to support her introduction to the site if needed. Flora began conversation with coach and after a short time seemed able for mum and dad to return to the car. 

During her sessions Flora, supported by her coach, utilised many of our resources, such as ’Lifestyle Diary’ looking at how Flora spends her day, her lifestyle choices
and opportunities; ‘Anchors’ looking at different aspects of Flora’s life that help her feel happy and safe, encouraging her to draw on these personal anchors during times of difficulty; ‘Wheel of Life’ looking at different areas of Flora’s life and opening conversation as to how she feels in these different areas. 

Throughout the sessions her coach would give Flora opportunities to support her in being able to communicate, initially though hand signals and head gestures, building towards leaving open questions and a space for Flora to give a verbal reply when she felt able to. Through working alongside the animals Flora’s confidence grew, with her being able to meet new animals, and take on different challenges around the farm. 

As Flora moved around the farm interacting with the animals, her coach spoke of how these activities were once new for Flora; she voiced “yeah they are fine now, I don’t get anxious about any of these”. Flora was encouraged to reflect on recognising the benefits and positive outcomes of meeting and overcoming challenges. 
 

 

Impact Measures and Outcomes

• Flora now has strategies to support her next steps

• She feels more positive about herself, enabling Flora to see a positive future.

• Flora is becoming able to respond to situations in a more positive way

• She attends sessions regularly