Therapy - I Would Recommend It To Anyone

I see a therapist, Elizabeth, every two weeks.  Back in February of last year, when my husband left, I was seeing her every week.  I don't know if I would be doing as well as I am right now if it wasn't for her.  My ex and I were in couple's therapy for a year or so before he left, but Elizabeth was only our therapist for a few months. I think it helped that she knew us as a couple, because it made it easier for her to help me get over his leaving.  She has been supportive and encouraging in a way that even my family and friends couldn't be.  Therapy is a safe place for me, where I know I can talk about anything and everything going on in my life, without worrying about being judged.

A friend of mine and I were talking a couple of weeks ago about my going to therapy, and he asked me if I found it helpful, because he has been thinking about going for a couple of years.  I told him that if he has been considering it for that long, that it is probably a good idea that he go.  There are therapists everywhere, from Bellevue counselors to student therapists.  My therapist was a student when we started seeing her, and now she is a fellow.  My ex and I were referred to her through a free clinic, and I have told her several times that whenever she decides to leave the group she is in, I will follow her anywhere. 

Even though my ex and I did split up, the time we spent in therapy while we were together was very beneficial to us.  I think any couple who is dealing with problems that seem overwhelming should go see a Bellevue marriage counselor or a therapist in their own town.  Trust me when I say that there is nothing "taboo" about it anymore.  Being able to talk to someone, to release all the tension and stress, can be so freeing.

I am speaking from experience.  I honestly don't know what I would do without Elizabeth. ANd if you feel like you need someone to talk to, contact:

Authentic-You Katie Swartz
2025 112th Ave NE, Suite 300
Bellevue, WA 98004-2943
(206) 794-2717
http://counselorbellevue.com/

or someone in your own town.

We Missed Therapy Again

We were supposed to go to therapy last Tuesday, but because of the "snow" our therapist called and canceled. Now we have to wait until next week to go. Usually, we have nothing interesting to talk about, but on the weeks that we don't go, something always happens that Junior is anxious to talk about.

Did that just make sense?

I don't want to get into the specifics, because I do not know who is still reading this, but let's just say that things have been a little "coincidental" since we've moved, and Junior thinks that a certain someone is trying to figure out where we live now. My question is, what does it matter? We are in a community now where people can't just "drive by". There are no trespassing notices posted everywhere, and I know for a fact they are enforced.

I just can't understand why these people can not honor our wishes of wanting to have nothing to do with them. We have moved on, and I really wish they would too.

Blog Therapy

Why do you write on your blog day after day?

I have asked a few people this question, and have gotten very similar answers, the basis of which is that blogging can be therapeutic. This is especially true for personal blogs. I have this blog, and my craft blog, and my picture blog. I also have a blog that is very personal to me. It is there that I write the events of my day, the struggles I face with my weight, and the way I feel about life. I know I feel better after I write an entry. Doing so makes me face the things I did that day, and writing it down helps me to make sense of things. Did that make sense? If you blog, I bet you followed along pretty well.

I have been trying to encourage my husband to write a blog. I told him he could keep it private, where no one would be able to read it. I just think putting things in writing can help him to deal with everything he's been discussing in therapy. (I think most of you already know that he goes to therapy once a week) I found this site where you can write a blog, journaling depression
or any other mental health issue, like anxiety, depression, substance-abuse, and even PTSD. The military is using this as a tool to help soldiers returning from over seas, and health care providers are also using it as a way for their patients to keep track of their progress. But, you do not have to be in therapy to use this site. It is designed to benefit everyone, even those individuals who are not yet ready to seek professional help.

The creators of this site have invested years of research to create this first ever online journaling tool based on cognitive behavior therapy. They are America's #1 Source of Online Therapy Journaling. I checked out the site, and was pretty impressed with what I saw. You can blog freely, or answer specific questions that are designed to track your progress. You can even make up your own questions. It is obvious from what I saw on this site that they care about people, and honestly want to help people get better.

I am hoping that I can get my husband to see the benefits of writing things down. He has made tremendous progress going to therapy, but I know there are things he holds back. I want him to have a safe place to work through things, and I truly believe he will find that with this site.