Jamal Wilkerson* was a 32-year-old software engineer living in Waterloo, Alabama. He had grown up in the small town and recently returned after a stint working in Silicon Valley. The news about Microsoft's security lapses and questionable practices in China hit close to home for Jamal.

As a kid, Jamal's next-door neighbor Mr. Henderson* had worked for a defense contractor. One night, a team of Chinese hackers broke into the company's systems and stole sensitive data that Mr. Henderson had accessed from home. The FBI investigated for months, and the whole experience left Jamal shaken about the reality of cyber threats from nation-states.

Watching the Congressional hearings dredged up those childhood memories of how violations of digital privacy and security could have devastating personal consequences. Jamal started looking into resources to deal with the anxiety and anger he still carried from the Mr. Henderson situation. That's when he discovered the Hofman Hollis 'Stepping Into Action' online program for managing unresolved trauma.

'I knew I had to try something to work through this,' Jamal told his wife Tasha*. 'Those feelings have been bottled up for too long, and they're resurfacing because of what's happening with Microsoft.'

Some experts praised Hofman Hollis's innovative online approach to therapy, allowing people to get help discreetly from anywhere. 'The convenience and privacy enable more people to get the support they need,' said Dr. Lauren Michaels, a psychologist in Birmingham.

However, others raised concerns about lack of oversight for online mental health services. 'There have been cases of unlicensed 'therapists' exploiting vulnerable people through unproven treatments,' cautioned Brock Evans of the Alabama Board of Examiners in Psychology. 'Pursue virtual options very carefully.'

Despite the controversy, Jamal felt the Stepping Into Action program was worth exploring, especially given the lack of convenient in-person options in his small town. 'I need to deal with this lingering trauma one way or another,' he resolved. 'The online path may have some risks, but leaving these feelings unprocessed is an even bigger danger to my wellbeing.'

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