tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post466027317374317386..comments2023-09-09T06:12:36.477-04:00Comments on the wild and wily ways of a brunette bombshell: on finding the right therapist: take your time, you'll know when it's right.meg feehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16588092985523441189noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-61511756789499128842012-09-20T09:20:25.058-04:002012-09-20T09:20:25.058-04:00Can I give an AMEN?? I've got some doozies of...Can I give an AMEN?? I've got some doozies of therapist stories. The best one I ever found was when I was suffering post partum depression in Brasil and a friend dragged me to see her therapist who spoke a little English (I didn't speak Portuguese, my friend didn't speak English - we communicated by smiles). Funny how you don't need a lot of words to get to the heart of a problem, just a heart.<br /><br />But I had to share my worst story because I knew you'd get it - when I was in grad school and falling apart by the end, I knew I had to see SOMEone. Because of my ED and tendonitis in my arms (violin major, ugh), I was physically barely functioning. I went into the student services center and got someone to see me. He was okay, but he listened and that was enough. At least for that day. We made an appointment for the next week, and I lived that whole horrible week with the one bright hope at the end of another 30 minute help session to get me by. When I came in, he told me that since I'd be graduating in a few weeks I wouldn't be eligible for student services then, and I should just go ahead find someone else to see. And then, even though I was moving out of state in a month, he gave me a list of local therapists and a phone and made me call every single one RIGHT THERE and ask if THEY would see me on short notice only for a month. Of course every single one said no, and he sent me on my way. Yes, my "saving" therapy session I had been counting on was actually just me being forced to be rejected over and over and over, and no help whatsoever. I left so shaken up I could hardly walk. I went home and sobbed for days. A few months later I ended up on the other side of the country and met my future husband. After dating a few weeks, he found me wonderful therapist for my ED AND attended with me as support. Heck yes I married that man!<br /><br />Anywho, keep being my favorite blogger!Master Phttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10508738847528153442noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-29767679750672333262012-09-19T18:46:47.089-04:002012-09-19T18:46:47.089-04:00love this post! excellent. i found my therapist an...love this post! excellent. i found my therapist and by luck, it was my first. the part about 'particular people' ... so true! some people just do not get this.. thus the reason i do not have a 'best friend'<br />i have different friends for different reasons. xShawneehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14581114725418981503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-53543308775906305492012-09-19T18:39:52.510-04:002012-09-19T18:39:52.510-04:00Thank you so much for this. I've been leaving ...Thank you so much for this. I've been leaving my sessions feeling like I haven't been aided, but always feel like it'd be wrong to switch counselors. Truthfully, mine is a very nice person (which helps to put me on the guilt trip I feel when I think about finding a new one), but a horrible counselor. But you are completely right, we are our own best advocates and I have to find myself worthwhile enough to do what is right for me. <br /><br />I also have to say that the part you added in there about friendships was perfect for me right now. Finding the right friends and sharing the right information is something I have always struggled with. Either I'd open up too much and feel betrayed later on, or I'd go to the opposite extreme and let them do all the talking and feel used. What you said about audience is so true and so necessary.<br /><br />Thank you again for sharing your experiences! We many not be the same, but it does truly help to read about things like this from someone who has been there. Your blog is definitely a blessing!Diananoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-12764175196277862552012-09-19T16:42:13.109-04:002012-09-19T16:42:13.109-04:00I've known for a while that I never found the ...I've known for a while that I never found the right therapist, and I guess reading this just reinforced it for me.<br /><br />thank you for posting this. I suppose I shall keep looking.hannah debbiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04459280053686126258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-10559928385290144692012-09-19T16:16:46.382-04:002012-09-19T16:16:46.382-04:00It's really funny you posted this today as I&#...It's really funny you posted this today as I'm seeing someone new for the first time today (my old one was through the school and she can't be anyone's regular).<br /><br />And I went and saw Jenni Schaefer speak last night and she talked about this too.<br /><br />Thank you. You've given me so much hope.Rachaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10767171745320881379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-77572134785894261822012-09-19T15:16:31.860-04:002012-09-19T15:16:31.860-04:00Meg - I loved this post! I am currently pursuing m...Meg - I loved this post! I am currently pursuing my Master's in counseling and really appreciate your perspective and experiences with different therapists - I'm glad you found someone you felt comfortable with and who was able to give you wise and helpful guidance!Betseyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05457277127636535635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-58329822141183187302012-09-19T13:27:15.530-04:002012-09-19T13:27:15.530-04:00"Learn your audience and be choosy about it. ..."Learn your audience and be choosy about it. That is okay." THIS. this is so true. i only feel safe talking about certain topics with certain people. others just don't seem to get it, do they?katildahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17794183122186770465noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-45044017116602539322012-09-19T12:56:07.821-04:002012-09-19T12:56:07.821-04:00I just moved to NY from Utah and though I am so ex...I just moved to NY from Utah and though I am so excited about this move I am dearly missing my job at the Center For Change (an Eating Disorder treatment center). Have you heard of it? Working alongside women in the recovery journey was such a blessing to me and taught me so many life lessons. I couldn't believe the kind of insensitivity many of them encountered from others, who probably didn't know anything about eating disorders, but still should have known better. It sounds like you have gotten more than your fair share of those experiences. You are an amazing woman and I am in awe at how far it seems you have come. I dearly loved all those I worked with and pray so often that they come out the other side. So glad you have found that for yourself. We all fight hard battles in all their varieties and to see anyone make headway on their own is cause for rejoicing. For sure.<br />If you ever need another friend in the city...I always do! This is all such a new experience. :)Arielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11435132404249945969noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-12003986556077253552012-09-19T12:29:06.565-04:002012-09-19T12:29:06.565-04:00about 6 months ago i started looking for a therapi...about 6 months ago i started looking for a therapist. that process alone was exhausting. reached out to a woman. our schedules didn't match up and she never called back. <br /><br />resuming my search now. a couple of ideas where to begin, but still, exhausting process. <br /><br />thank you for posting this article. especially amongst african americans (like me :-}), mental health issues? not so talked about. comforting to know that for someone else, 'the search' has also been challenging. i may call a few today, or perhaps the therapy fairy will drop a "Tom" in my lap. either way, wonderful read. glad you found the perfect person. thanks again. <br /><br />S. <br />(new subscriber by the way. love what you've done with the place!)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-51755938711605647762012-09-19T12:15:48.215-04:002012-09-19T12:15:48.215-04:00I've seen my fair share of horrible therapists...I've seen my fair share of horrible therapists (think one who gave me a tip on purging "if that's what i was going to do" and another who had me compare my body to hers because if I was fat, than she "must be obese") Now that I'm on the other side and a therapist myself your advice in this post is very sound. It takes time to find someone you connect with, but when you do it feels very freeing. Emmanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-38448984107248756772012-09-19T12:01:49.017-04:002012-09-19T12:01:49.017-04:00I don't have much to about this post except th...I don't have much to about this post except that I love it. I'm glad you finally found someone who listens and yes yes yes to having certain friends to call on for certain things. it's taken me a while to learn that, but that's okay.jackiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14836532940578968626noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155538679069971441.post-69606491997577650782012-09-19T11:45:35.815-04:002012-09-19T11:45:35.815-04:00I went to my first in high school and had a simila...I went to my first in high school and had a similar experience. Mine suggested something completely outrageous and I was so affected by it, I refused to see another until just last year - as a last resort, frankly. This time I was so fortunate. Great advice, Meg. So true how a good one just clicks. xoJacPfefhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06772135904059557125noreply@blogger.com