The purpose of this paper is to provide a profile of Zoe Riley.
Using a case study approach, Zoe provides an account of her background and is then interviewed by Jerome.
Zoe’s account reveals a remarkable resilience developed through adversity but nurtured by the love of her grandparents.
Mental illness surrounded Zoe when she was growing up. Her own mother experienced years of distress. Her grandfather effectively was her father. Despite the childhood adversity and her own teenage problems, she came through it all. These are the stories you read about in textbooks.
Zoe reminds us that people in distress want to find connection. They do not want us sitting there writing notes and not even looking at them!
The authors talk about “wounded healers”. Dr Glenn Roberts said that his own bouts of depression made it easier for him to sit with people in similar turmoil. The value of peer support has been underrated by many.
It is of course a truism to say that everyone’s journey of recovery is unique. The author knows Zoe has already touched the lives of many people. The author is sure she has so much more to contribute.
