Lisa had tried quitting smoking countless times without success. It wasn't just addiction; smoking had become her emotional lifeline—linked directly to comforting memories of her mother after witnessing traumatic childhood events. Through therapy, Lisa understood this deep emotional bond. The insight she gained allowed her to finally quit smoking for good. Now smoke-free, Lisa continues therapy, freeing herself from the shadows of the past and embracing a healthier, happier life.
Issue:A client struggled to quit smoking despite multiple attempts.
Symptoms/Triggers/Habits: Smoking negatively affected her health, and she felt trapped and helpless because all previous attempts to quit failed.
Client's Goal:To stop smoking permanently and understand why quitting was so difficult for her.
Why did this happen? During therapy, she discovered a deep-rooted association: as a child, she witnessed her mother being physically abused by her father. After each traumatic incident, her mother would ask for cigarettes to cope, creating a strong emotional bond between smoking, comfort, and connection. As she grew older, she began smoking with her mother, reinforcing the belief that cigarettes bonded her to her deceased mother's memory.
Results: Through therapy, she understood why she felt unable to quit smoking—cigarettes represented her emotional bond with her mother. Recognizing this powerful link helped her break the habit. After the session, she stopped smoking permanently and decided to continue therapy to heal the deeper emotional scars related to her childhood trauma.