I started therapy at fifteen and I have learned many things about myself and the world around me throughout my time in therapy. The therapist I had back then was great we talked a lot about my anxiety and depression and about how I can learn to cope with it. She taught me about meditation and grounding skills, but the biggest thing she taught me was that I was okay. And what I mean by that is when you have a mental disorder and keep it hidden you start to get lost inside your own head. I would have thoughts that weren't mine, I would lose sleep constantly, and I didn't have any feelings; I had become numb. I didn't feel like a person anymore, but she taught me that all that was completely normal because it was a part of having anxiety.

After a year with her, she wanted me to do some PTSD training with another therapist so we could figure out where my anxiety is coming from. That therapist helped me go into my mind and see some memories that I forgot about. He taught me so much about where my anxiety was coming from and how it started from my first panic attack.

After that training, my first therapist informed me that she found a better job and that since I got along so well with my other therapist that I should continue one working with him. I have been seeing him ever since then and he has taught me so much about myself and how important I really am. One day in our session I was discussing some people who were causing some me some problems and stress and he said the most philosophical and spiritual phrase I ever heard: "F*** them." We laughed at first then we talked about how those people that were putting me through great difficulty were not the center of life, and I needed to put myself in the center.

Being able to meet with him every three weeks is something I need, like the way I need air. Talking with him has helped me so much throughout my journey of taking control over my life.