3 years ago
I remember sitting in the car reading these negati...
I remember sitting in the car reading these negative reviews about The Center for Community Solutions right before my first day of therapy. A bit apprehensive, I went in anyway and it was hands down THE BEST thing I have ever done for myself and my loved ones.
I had been in California for 2 years at that point. I left Oregon after my ex finally got convicted for DV. He repeatedly beat me unconscious, choked me and psychologically tortured me. I thought it was over after I left, but my memories deeply disturbed me. Trauma stores itself in the body and I would viciously lash out people or start sobbing over something simple. Now I was hurting people. I couldn t control my emotions. I was in so much pain. It was taking over my life and I didn t know how to get better.
I even hurt my current partner who treats me like a queen because I couldn t handle any stress without exploding. I finally reached out to the domestic violence hotline and they referred me to CFCS.
And that brought me to Heather, my therapist for the last 6 months who helped me completely turn my life around. When I got to her, I hated myself so much.
I have a background in human services and I am highly critical of those in the helping profession. I can tell if they re listening. I had tried one other therapist and had a panic attack after the first day bc her contributions weren t relevant and I was left feeling exposed to someone who didn t understand me.
Heather has a way of taking all my messy dark thoughts and somehow synthesizes a response that is so helpful...like how!? Sometimes you just need to get that yuck out of your head. In 6 months of working with Heather I; learned concepts to manage my mind like when I shame spiral , explored my trauma in a safe space finally without feeling judged, set limits to drinking that actually worked, took my final course to graduate college, got a personal trainer, got a new job in my desired field and I m just overall a different person. I ve calmed down so much. It takes true skill to take a tormented soul and lead them into relief and that s exactly what Heather did.
Free QUALITY accessible mental health services for survivors have is imperative and I am so thankful for Heather and the Center for community solutions. Today is my last session and I m sad because I love coming here, but I know I have to make room for people who need it like I did.