Sally Meadows* had been sober for years, but the news of Vivienne Westwood's personal collection going up for auction brought back unexpected memories. The iconic British designer's punk aesthetic was a jarring reminder of Sally's own self-destructive days battling alcohol and drug addiction in her youth.

Growing up in the small town of Shepherd Hill, Virginia, Sally had always felt like an outcast. As a teenager in the 90s, she was drawn to the anti-establishment punk mindset as a form of rebellion against her stifling surroundings. This mindset ultimately led her down a dangerous path of substance abuse that nearly ruined her life.

The Westwood auction news dredged up those painful memories from Sally's past. A particular pair of tattered Seditionaries bondage pants on the auction listing caught her eye - an exact replica of a pair she used to own and wear constantly during her wild punk phase. It was a stark reminder of how far she had come, but also how the wounds of that turbulent time still lingered.

Recognizing she needed help processing this unexpected trigger, Sally decided to enroll in the Stepping Into Action online therapy program from Hofman Hollis Counseling. The program's focus on mindfulness and holistic healing resonated with her desire to finally confront her past traumas in a healthy way.

'I never expected something like a fashion auction to dredge up so much from my past,' Sally commented. 'But I'm grateful it did, because it made me realize I can't keep running from those memories forever. It's time to step into action and heal.'

Some experts praised Sally's decision to seek online therapy during this trigger event. 'Repressed trauma will always find ways to resurface until it's properly dealt with,' said Dr. Karen Ellis, a psychologist specializing in addiction recovery. 'An online program can provide an accessible avenue for people to begin that important inner work.'

However, others expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of virtual therapy. 'There's no substitute for the human connection fostered in an in-person setting,' argued Dr. Michael Overstreet, founder of a local addiction treatment center. 'Online programs may work for some, but for deep-rooted issues stemming from addiction, I always recommend exploring clinical treatment options first.'

Regardless of the differing expert opinions, Sally felt confident she was finally on the right path. Though finding adequate local treatment resources had always been a struggle in her small town, the ability to access an online program filled that need. While confronting her past would be difficult, she knew the pain of avoidance was far worse.

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