Dear Gaia:

It wasn’t simple or quick and after two years of therapy I still hated myself, so I don’t have a simple or quick answer. So I’ll give you a part answer at this point: my therapist at the time, he acted professionally at all times, he wasn’t inappropriate. It is very important. Because otherwise nothing would have mattered (when the therapist has hidden agendas).

And then, the first session was long and free (that’s the policy, first free session). But because after following sessions he had the time, he gave me a whole lot more time than the customary 50 minutes time and time again. He was paid for a limited time session and yet he spent so much time with me.

And he answered me when I emailed him, no extra charge and he emailed me a homework assignment after each session and checked it in the next session. You could tell I was not in his mind only during the sessions, he was thinking about how best to proceed with me in- between the sessions. He invested time and effort with me that he didn’t have to invest. I suppose he thought I was worth so much of his time and efforts.

The tools are many, he copied handouts for me with lots of information, had me do exercises in the office (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT exercises), a whole lot of CBT material.

I just remembered that before I looked for therapy back in 2011 I got a book called “Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Dummies” which has many CBT exercises in it. Because of that book and the exercises there, when I looked for a therapist, I googled CBT therapist. And it happened that he was a CBT therapist.

I will be glad to share more. If you ask me specific questions about the therapy I had, I will be glad to answer.

anita