On October 8, 2023, when *Mary Johnson* read the news about a significant oil spill in Alaska, she didn't expect it to hit so close to home. For Mary, who lived in Blue Jay, Ohio, the environmental catastrophe was half a country away. But as she delved deeper into the article, the memories of her difficult college days, marked by exhausting part-time jobs and long commutes, surfaced unexpectedly. Mary remembered working as a waitress in a small Alaskan town to help pay off her tuition. The pristine environment had once provided solace during a tumultuous phase of her life.

The news jarred Mary more than she could have anticipated. The college years had not been kind to her; dealing with substance abuse had worsened her anxiety and depression. Reading about the oil spill threw her back into those challenging times, reminding her of the various coping strategies she had learned but never fully implemented.

Determined to not let the resurfaced memories dictate her present, Mary began following the materials from the Stepping Into Action program on hofmanhollis.com. Initially skeptical, she found guidance in the worksheets and exercises. The structured program helped her set small, manageable goals and rebuild her sense of purpose.

Mary's pivotal moment came when she read a quote from one of the program specialists, who stated, 'You can't change the past, but you can affect your present and future'. This propelled her forward, encouraging her to face her past with a newfound resilience.

Expert opinions on the program were varied. Dr. *Emma Carlton*, a psychologist, praised the comprehensive nature of the curriculum, emphasizing its focus on incremental progress. On the other hand, Dr. *Richard Moore*, an addiction counselor, criticized the program for lacking personalized feedback, claiming it was too generalized to be truly effective for everyone.

Reflecting on her progress, Mary acknowledged how difficult it was to find adequate support close to Blue Jay. Her decision to seek help online turned out to be a blessing. Mary felt thankful for the option to pursue a structured plan from the comfort of her small-town home, which ultimately brought about the change she desperately needed.

*All names and situations in this story are fictional

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