In my previous days of teaching ninth grade English Literature classes, I would talk with students about the different stages of the Hero’s Journey (I wish there were a non-gendered word for that.) Anyway… as we would read through parts of The Odyssey, Homer's Epic poem from ancient Greece, we would try to make sense of the actions and words of the main character, Odysseus. 

Odysseus sets out on a quest with challenges, dark times, and uncertainty ahead. His ego gets in the way. His flaws prevent him from getting back home. At one point, the journey takes him to an Abyss. In the story, the Abyss is the literal underworld and in order to escape, he must transform. It is imperative for our hero to change his ways, his mindset, and his understanding of his place in the world if he ever hopes to make it back home. 

Metaphorically, we can understand the abyss as the challenging, dark places we come to on the journey of our own lives. Just like...

So, a couple weeks ago I started with a new therapist.

Dr. T, who was the amazing psychologist I worked with on and off for more than 10 years, retired at the end of 2021. Dr. T referred me to this new guy because he helped mentor him and knew it would be a good fit.

Dr. T was right, and even though it took 6 months to get an appointment with Mr. New Guy (post about our healthcare system needing funding and support another time...), I'm glad I got in to see him ...and whoa, is it intense--in the best of ways.

Some of you know me pretty well and have seen my stories and struggles over the years with OCD and anxiety. I talk openly about the importance of mental health and finding ways to cope and heal that work for each individual. There are always peaks and valleys with this work, like life itself, it ebbs and flows.

Mr. New Guy has an in depth approach to diagnosis and treatment--which, if I'm consistent, will lead to quick transformation (especially since I've been down this road...