Getting a Therapist (Finally)

I started going to therapy this after my very first breakup and because of the wildest conflict I have ever experienced or heard of in my entire life. Because of these two events, I felt both unlovable and unlikeable. Anyways, I had wanted to see a therapist since high school, but my parents wouldn't fund it/thought it would not be beneficial to me.

*Spoiler alert: they couldn't have been more wrong*

I had been planning on starting treatment there anyways since I have been experiencing pretty severe anxiety, depression, OCD, and misophonia for a while. I had heard some pretty bad things, but I talked about it with my RA and she put me at ease with her own experiences. I can't explaining how relieving it was for her to be extremely supportive of me. It really helped that she had been going to our counselling services herself and made me feel so validated and reassured. However, it wasn't until what I mentioned before that I felt motivated enough to stop procrastinating and just do the damn thing.

The first time you go to counseling, you are required to do a walk-in. I filled out the long questionnaire about my history and my reasons for being there and waited anxiously, but also excitedly for my name to be called. It wasn't too long before I heard my name from a woman's voice and looked up to see someone standing at the door for me. I was so relieved it was a woman. A woman of colour too.

I had been expecting it to be super weird and uncomfortable, but it felt so right. People usually say that the hard part is getting through the door and telling a complete stranger about your life, but it was honestly the easiest part for me. I felt completely safe. I knew I was in an environment where I wouldn't be judged and someone would listen to what I had to say as a neutral confidant. I had never felt so heard until then.

After my walk-in, I was informed that I would receive a therapist in the next week or so. I can't wait for my very first session. Until then, I've been recommended to two weekly therapy groups in addition to one-on-one sessions about self-compassion and breaking free. I am so ready to finally receive the help I not only needed but deserved.