A Journey of Healing: A Family Reunited at The Gathering Place

I first met a young client, Charlie*, and his mother Annie*, in December 2023 at The Gathering Place (TGP). They were hesitant, quiet, and burdened heavily when they arrived. In those early weeks, the tension in their relationship was almost tangible, creating a physical and emotional distance between them. Despite his initial shyness, Charlie’s brilliant humor and mischievous smile quickly won over the entire TGP staff. Soon, my coworkers asked how he was doing after each session, eager to hear about his progress.

As we established a routine and built trust, I began having one-on-one calls with the mother. Initially, I wasn’t sure how those conversations would go. Annie had presented as withdrawn, almost like her body was turning inward. But during that first call, a different side of her emerged as I gently asked her about her life before I met her. Little by little, her story unfolded. She spoke of a childhood filled with trauma and neglect, the difficult circumstances that led to her son’s removal, and, most importantly, a story of resilience, resourcefulness, and deep emotional awareness.

Early in our sessions, Annie wanted to speak with her son about the events that led to his removal. She wanted to give him space to ask questions and share how her actions had impacted him. Together, we created a plan. We had that difficult conversation during the next session and gathered in the “calm and quiet room,” a cozy, dimly lit space filled with floor pillows and blankets.

Afterward, I checked in with Charlie. I wanted to ensure he felt supported and had a chance to share anything on his mind. With more conviction than I had ever heard from him, he said he loved the conversation and wanted to keep talking about his relationship with his mother and how the separation had affected him. So, we continued. With each session, both mother and son began to relax. Charlie went from sitting at a different table to cozying up next to her, resting his head on her shoulder. Instead of a shy, closed-mouthed smile when she arrived, his face would light up, and he would run over to hug her. He began opening up about the things that had bothered him before, and his mother always reassured him that his voice mattered.

One of my favorite moments with them happened in the kitchen. Charlie, eager to share one of his original recipes, proudly demonstrated his creation: a mix of one part artificially flavored lime sparkling water and two parts still water blended with tiny coffee straws. He told his mother he wanted to sell his new drink outside their house. I glanced at his mom, curious to see how she would respond. She smiled at him, fully embracing his idea, and said, “Maybe we could buy some fruit and add it to the mix.”

“Yeah!” he replied excitedly, “I could add limes to the lime water and try other flavors too!”

“Great idea!” she said, “We can pick up some fruit at the corner store.”

Watching Annie affirm Charlie’s creativity and support his dreams, no matter how small, was one of the most rewarding moments I witnessed. It wasn’t an easy journey—there were many hurdles to overcome. However, through their hard work, vulnerability, and the support they received, mother and son were finally reunified. I was overjoyed when I heard from the county worker that the judge had approved their reunification. I shared the news with the entire office, and everyone who had seen them grow commented on the change they had witnessed. People spoke of how the mother’s skin seemed to glow and how she lit up the office when she walked in. Her son, now a TGP “celebrity,” had won the hearts of everyone he met—including a fellow clinician’s three-year-old client, who would pause his own therapy sessions to bring him snacks.

The day they walked into The Gathering Place after their official reunification, the entire office cheered. This moment wasn’t unique to just this family. I’ve been fortunate to witness similar celebrations when other recently reunified families walk through our doors. Each time, I take a mental snapshot of the joy on their faces, knowing that all their hard work has paid off, that they’ve come back together stronger and more supported, and that they’ve received the second chance they truly deserve.

Their journey reminds me why we do what we do at The Gathering Place—to create a space where healing, hope, and reunification are possible.

Their journey reminds me why we do what we do at The Gathering Place—to create a space where healing, hope, and reunification are possible.