From Lost to FoundTyrone's Journey to Finding Purpose with Autism
"For the first time, I felt understood and valued for who I am, not despite my autism, but because of it."— Tyrone, 19
Introduction
Meet Tyrone, a 19-year-old from Geelong living with autism who felt lost and without direction. Struggling with depression and a lack of purpose, Tyrone had difficulty seeing a future for himself. This is the story of how Shake Counselling helped him build self-worth, find employment, and create a meaningful path forward.
Initial Challenge
Autism, depression, social isolation, lack of direction
Location
Geelong, Victoria
Where the transformation happened
Counsellor
Tyler
Youth mental health specialist
Final Outcome
Multiple job offers, improved self-worth, developed social connections
Life-changing results
Background
Tyrone loved spending time alone, often lost in his thoughts. Despite his potential, he struggled with:
Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness
Lack of Direction: Uncertainty about his future and where he fit in the world
Social Isolation: Limited social interactions led to loneliness
Low Self-Worth: Difficulty recognising his own value and capabilities
Goals
Together with Tyrone, we aimed to:
Build Self-Worth: Help Tyrone recognise his strengths and value
Explore Values and Interests: Understand what truly mattered to him
Develop Practical Skills: Prepare for employment and independent living
Enhance Social Connections: Build confidence in social situations
Our Approach
Over 12 weeks, Tyrone engaged in individual counselling that combined traditional therapy with activity-based approaches:
Building Trust Through Walking
Weeks 1-3
Understanding Tyrone's World: We began with walking sessions, which allowed Tyrone to feel comfortable without the pressure of face-to-face conversation.
Activities: Nature walks around Geelong's waterfront, gradual rapport building, and initial exploration of Tyrone's interests and concerns.
Values Clarification
Weeks 4-6
Exploring What Matters: Using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques to help Tyrone identify his core values and what gave his life meaning.
Activities: Values card sorting exercises, discussing future aspirations, and connecting values to potential career paths.
Skills Development
Weeks 7-9
Building Confidence: Practical skill-building sessions focused on job readiness, communication, and managing autism-related challenges in workplace settings.
Activities: Resume writing, interview preparation, role-playing workplace scenarios, and developing coping strategies for sensory sensitivities.
Job Search Support
Weeks 10-12
Taking Action: Active support in job searching, application writing, and interview preparation, always respecting Tyrone's unique communication style.
Activities: Job application assistance, interview coaching, employer liaison, and celebration of successes.
Key Takeaways
Activity-Based Approach: Walking sessions created a comfortable environment for Tyrone to open up without the pressure of traditional face-to-face therapy
Clinical Insight
Values-Driven Support: Helping Tyrone identify what mattered to him provided direction and motivation for change
Clinical Insight
Autism-Informed Practice: Understanding and accommodating Tyrone's autism-related needs was crucial to building trust and achieving outcomes
Clinical Insight
Practical Skills Focus: Combining therapeutic support with practical job-readiness skills led to tangible employment outcomes
Clinical Insight
Outcomes
Employment Success: Tyrone received multiple job offers and chose a position that aligned with his values and strengths
Improved Self-Worth: He began to see himself as capable and valuable, recognising his unique contributions
Social Growth: Developed strategies for social interaction that respected his autistic communication style
Depression Management: Significant reduction in depressive symptoms through meaningful engagement and purpose
Future Direction: Gained clarity about his career path and personal goals
"Working with Tyler helped me see that being autistic doesn't mean I can't succeed. It just means I succeed differently."
— Tyrone
Conclusion
Tyrone's story highlights the importance of meeting young people where they are, both literally and figuratively. By adapting our approach to suit his communication style and using movement-based therapy, we were able to help him discover his strengths and build a meaningful future. His success reminds us that with the right support, every young person can find their path from feeling lost to being found.
Tyler, Shake Counselling
Youth Mental Health Specialist
Shake Counselling
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Professional
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