Therapy

One of the first steps in my journey was therapy. I'm not sure how my first one got set up as my parents did it for me, but my last 2 I received a referral from my doctor to see.

My first therapist was a youth mental health worker that worked in our area. He was also a psych nurse at CATC. He was extremely easy to talk to, and helped me work through a lot of internal struggles. I learned breathing techniques, progressive muscles relaxation, and other relaxation techniques that I still use today. When everything went too far out his area of expertise, he was the one that helped my parents learn about CATC. I continued to see him for a while after I was released from CATC, until I felt strong enough that I felt that I could handle things on my own.

I took a few years off from seeing a therapist, but when my dad went for surgery in Germany, life got a little too overwhelming and I started to see someone again. I think I ended up seeing her a couple of times. Her office felt so clinical, she was too “proper” for me, and it felt like she was above me. I didn’t feel comfortable talking to her, so I stopped seeing her.

My next and current therapist that is a community mental health worker. I started seeing her in 2019. She is so easy to talked to, and has helped me make so much progress with my mental health. We are even able to meet virtually so I don't even have to leave my house (this made it easy to meet when I wasn't on mat leave as we'd just meet on my lunch hour). She was the first person that I told that I wanted to eventually come out with my story and help other people.

Talking through my “problems” has helped me a lot. It is super nice to talk to someone that you know only on a professional base. Talking to friends and family is also great, but talking to someone who professionally knows how to help you through a situation, feeling or problem is next level.

One of the best parts of therapy is you are never judged and 99% of things that you can say in session are confidential. The 1% that is not kept confidential is if they believe that you or someone else is in danger, then they are legally called to action.

If you or someone you know are looking for or needing someone to talk to, click here for a list of contacts for help in Manitoba.

Be kind and eat beef.

Shayla