Holly* can’t believe she is the same person as she was a year ago.
After suffering domestic abuse and having her children removed and placed into foster care, the 27-year-old is now receiving support through Catholic Care’s Project Elizabeth program.
Project Elizabeth provides counselling services for women experiencing trauma.
Holly says losing her children was “the hardest and saddest” day of her life.
“It was just one thing after another, all spiralling down.”
Together with her case worker Jessica Mitchell, Holly says things are changing for the better. She catches up for an informal chat with Jessica each week.
“There’s no structure or no set rules… generally it’s just up to me,” Holly says.
A mother holds and kisses her child. Image: Pixabay.
“After I have sessions with Jess, I get a lot off my chest most of the time, so I can be much more present for [my child],” she says.
“I think I’m a better partner too, because sometimes when it becomes all too overwhelming, I’m holding it all in trying to be strong for my family.”
Holly says she doesn’t even recognise who she once was.
“I don’t even recognise myself anymore.”
*Name has been changed.
