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Trudi Cohen's avatar

Thank you so much for sharing your therapy journey, and reminding me that it's all a journey and I am not alone on it. I wish there was more in-depth reporting on why good therapy is so hard to find, pay for, and get insurance to pay for. The newspapers announce a crisis in mental health, yet there aren't any concrete solutions offered--perhaps because mental health is always presented as such a wide spectrum--from the person who can't get out of bed, to the person toting a gun in a schoolyard. What I admire most is your ability to get the help you need despite job insecurity and a tree falling on your house. You are one strong lady! I'm very much enjoying these posts.

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Lara Starr's avatar

Oh Trudi thank you so much for your kind words - it means the world to me to know I've connected with you over this journey. It's maddening and frustrating and you are so right, really needs to be discussed more. Xox - L

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Camilla Gray's avatar

Dear Lara...Oy, Sweetie.

Thank you for sharing these "adventures", though I am so sorry you have had to endure them.

I was first sent to a Psychiatrist when I was about 18. It only lasted a few sessions. Though I now realize I was clinically depressed, this dude told my 18yr old self that what I needed was a bf. AS IF I WAS AVOIDING ROMANCE INSTEAD OF LONGING FOR IT! *facepalm*

The next therapist I had (still in college) was a woman who I was guardedly opening up to...when she told me she couldn't help me & referred me to someone else. That guy thought I needed group therapy, which I could not agree to, so....that ended that.

The saga continued....and continues. Lots of times I'm functioning fine-to-OK, some times I'm not OK and return to therapy (sometimes it was couples therapy). I've also been on/off anti-depressants for approx. 30 yrs (but have been off now for 18 months).

When I moved to PA from MA, my good & trusted therapist (who got me thru my traumatic break-up) agreed to continue FT therapy with me (as we had done during Covid). She's outside my "network" now, but has agreed to a very reasonable sliding scale. However, she's my age and has some health issues recently. I don't know how long we can/should go on, though she has never suggested we pause. So that's my next issue...when will my therapist retire? *sigh*

Here's to looking forward with as much optimism as we can muster (depends on the day...or sometimes the hour, I realize). Hope Ms. Plaid is The Real Deal and can be a valuable partner in your healing.

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Lara Starr's avatar

Oh Camilla, thank you so much for sharing your experiences with mental health care. A BOYFRIEND???!!! Fuck that!

I hope you and your therapist can continue to work together for as long as you need to. Xox -L

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Corey Sienega's avatar

Congrats and may you have a lovely relationship with Dr. Plaid! I lol’ed listening to your bad therapy dates but they were also relatable and honest as always. I once had a therapist asked me to draw out my dreams which i did fairly painstakingly and gave them to her. Then she never brought them up! When I eventually asked for them back, she seemed surprised and tried to make it some kind of thing to analyze about me. Weirdo. Takes all kinds. This does remind me I should seek some therapy again though— here’s to hoping I can find a Dr. Plaid ❤️

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Lara Starr's avatar

Oy vey, of course you did your homework and of course Dr. Weirdo didn't do anything with them 🙄 May you find your Dr. Plaid!

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Annexes's avatar

This sounds soooo frustrating... I never delved deep in therapy and I've spoken to only two therapists ever. One was a horrible list of standard phrases, the other was wonderful but couldn't offer any help for reasons outside either of our control. I hope Dr. Plaid is the one for you, fingers crossed!

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Lara Starr's avatar

Thank you so much Jane, and I'm so sorry the system failed you. I hope you were able to find the support and you needed from other sources. Xox - L

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Amanda Huntzinger's avatar

Lara.

The therapy "journey." I feel you. I find myself paraphrasing your descriptions of those experiences pretty often. And you've prompted me to define what "fixed" would look like. Something I've not done yet.

Additional successful prompts:

• Following "art but with sports." Teehee!

• I bought the lights. Will txt a pic of our fire pit next weekend!

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Lara Starr's avatar

Thank you so much - I'm so glad you're picking up what I'm putting down. And yay! I can't wait to see your lights! Xox - L

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