Chapter 4: Finding a Therapist
On a warmer Saturday than the last two, I met Sarah, James, and Henri at their apartment in Oakland, along with one of my other best friends, Carly Shay, and her parents, Sam and Freddie. James was cooking a special holiday dinner for us to eat: oven-fried catfish, stuffed cabbage, mashed potatoes, peas, pierogies, and halushki. Carly baked classic fudge-walnut brownies for dessert. "Hi, guys!" I greeted my friends. "Hi, Angel!" Sarah greeted back. "Hi, Sarah!" Carly greeted. "Can you help me find a therapist for some problems I am having?" "Sure, Carly," Sarah replied. "You and Angel can come into my bedroom, and we can talk." Carly and I followed Sarah into her bedroom, while Mrs. Shay and Mr. Benson helped James and Henri with Easter dinner. "So you want to talk to a therapist, Carly?" I asked. "What for?" "I don't exactly know who to trust in the real world," Carly explained. "I know how you feel," Sarah empathized. "I didn't exactly know who to trust, either." "You didn't?" Carly asked. "Nope," Sarah replied. "Once, I had a boyfriend named John Paul who convinced me to see an R-rated movie at age 13." "During the summer when I was 15, I got asked to see an R-rated movie, too," Carly agreed. "That's funny," I told Carly. "I don't remember that." "Anyway, did you go see a therapist?" "I sure did," Sarah replied. "What do you look for?" I asked. "Well, a therapist has to be reliable and convincing in a positive way," Sarah stated. "They can't say bad things about who you are friends with." "What are some reasons for meeting with a therapist?" Carly asked. "Well, we all know not knowing who to trust is one reason," I replied. "Maybe for good daily advice and living life to the fullest, as well as learning how to take care of yourself and deal with your own problems," Sarah chimed in. "How long should I work with a therapist?" I asked. "For as long as you would like, Angel," Sarah replied. "If it helps you succeed in everyday life." "Where can I find someone?" Carly asked. "I prefer Psychology Today, although my service coordinator, case manager, or supports coordinator have made personal recommendations in the past," Sarah told us. "My therapist's name was Abbie Hawkey, who was a licensed professional counselor. Why don't you try speaking with her sometime?" James went to get us, as the weather was finally nice enough for him to take headshots of us. Sarah even tried on Carly's jean jacket over her tan dress and decided it looked better with Carly's flower dress. Mrs. Shay assisted James in taking the pictures of me, Sarah, and Carly. Mr. Benson and Henri put the finishing touches on dinner. As we ate dinner, we watched the video that we filmed last weekend about disclosing a diagnosis at work. Carly also shared her fudge walnut brownies with us for dessert, since she did not have any ice cream cake from her birthday left. Then, we exchanged Easter baskets. Sarah also had a special hair flower for Carly for her birthday. After we ate dinner, we all went home. "Thanks for a great dinner and evening, guys!" I thanked my friends. "You're welcome," Sarah replied. "Bye, guys!" "Bye!"