Heart to Heart Conversations ©2107
Kids & Teens to Kids & Teens
Kids and teens have adults telling them what to do from the moment they wake up until the moment they go to bed. Frequently, parents direct the pursuit of help for children and kids may not feel like they have a voice. As much as our therapists work with children and advocate for them, we are still adults…adding to the number of adults weighing in on the choices of children and teens. Many of our pediatric and adolescent patients feel that they are the ONLY one going through what they are going through. Additionally, as kids and teens change throughout treatment, they often ask how they can give back and this provides them a way to make meaning from their hard work. We are all about community and reducing stigma here at AMANI Clinical Services.
Letter #1
Hello!
if you are reading this, you are probably a kid just like me and awaiting to start therapy. I'm here to answer the biggest question you have; does it get better?
Well, I have good news, yes it does! Want some proof?
A few years back, a young middle school girl at the time (me), was told she was going to start therapy once a week, with a woman named Dr. Hastings. Obviously you could expect my reaction to that, I wanted absolutely nothing to do with therapy. Personally, I was scared. Nobody actually wants to talk about how they are feeling, or what they have been through. It's tough, and a very draining process to go through. But, over time hard work pays off.
Back to the story then, Even though i threw the biggest hissy fit of my life, and begged not to be taken to my first session, eventually i gave in and got into the car to go. I met Dr. Hastings, and while i thought she was very sweet, I still built up those walls I had for so long, and refused to let her in, and well, basically refused to let her do her job. Because I had the same question you do; does it truly get better? Time past and every week I was on that same couch. As stubborn as I was, (and still am) I learned to cooperate, and I started to work with Dr. Hastings on bettering myself.
I learned new coping skills, ways to know what feeling I am feeling, and did something i'd never thought i'd do. I stopped myself from shutting down, and avoiding my feelings. Everyday I find myself feeling more and more like me. i'm no longer scared to say what I need, or to ask for help. I even carry myself better physically. I dress better, eat better, and keep up with my personal hygiene on a whole new level. (thankfully, am i right?) I found out, being emotionally stable actually helps you physically too, weird right?
Even though I am yet to start trauma reprocessing, the progress I have made has helped shape who I am today. Now, I'm a high school student with dreams for my future and a new smile on my face. I went from a scared girl who hated going once a week, to a brave girl who actually asked to have ANOTHER session during the week along with my regular session all by myself. Yes, you heard me, I'm here twice a week now!
So take it from me, another kid like you who was terrified but faced her fear. You can be the author of your own story, but sometimes it is okay to have help along the way. Therapy will show you new ways to love yourself, and be considerate of your health to keep you strong for your future. You can get through anything if you try, and I believe in you.
because yes, it definitely gets better.
Letter #2
Dear Friend,
My guess is you are going through something tough right now and I just wanted to tell you a little bit about what I went through. I was diagnosed with I was 10 but I first started therapy with Dr. Nikki when I was 9. I was constantly worrying about doing the wrong thing and one mistake could make me feel like the world was ending. When I first started to see Dr. Nikki, I was very nervous about having to open up to someone I didn't even know. I did things over and over. I felt the need to confess the slightest mistake. I always apologized, even for things that really did not matter. I felt like the weirdest kid on the planet, and the only child who went to therapy. Little did I know, kids all around me were experiencing the same struggles.
After a while, I became more comfortable with Dr. Nikki and began exposures. But let me tell you, the beginning of my exposures were very rough. I cried A LOT and my parents struggled with the exposures as well. But if I had to go back and do it all over again, I would because as I once said "exposures change you." When I began therapy, I never wanted to come. I would always dread Wednesdays because that's when my appointments were. Even though I never really wanted to come to therapy, I always felt like I was on top of the world when I left. After 9 months of exposures, my obsessions and compulsions were undiagnosable!
Although my symptoms are up and down, therapy is no doubt worth it. As much as you think you're alone, there's so many people hurting just like you. Recently one of my friends and I discovered we both have OCD. It's amazing to be able to talk to someone who knows exactly what you're dealing with because they have been through the same thing. Having a mental disorder has changed me for the better. I had to fight so hard to battle my OCD. Much of my life was filled with tears, anxiety and apologies. But the journey has taught me never to give up. Life may be hard right now but happiness is there you just have to find it. I probably will struggle with OCD here and there throughout my life but after these painful 4 years, I know I can conquer anything life has to throw at me.
From,
Someone Just Like You
Notes Left In the Waiting Room
