Letter of Commendation

Back in the "60's I remember reading an essay in a philosophy textbook in which psychotherapy was disparaged as an "aspirin of the age." In those days (and perhaps now as well) artists refused to go into therapy for fear of losing their artistic sensibilities; the idea being that they need their neuroses to fuel their art. Moreover, certain religions and spiritual groups have traditionally discouraged participation in any counseling other than their own. Of course, let us not forget the social judgments bandied about so freely (and often by the very people who could use mental help the most). You know how this "psycho-drivel" goes: You must be some anti-social, mental defective for needing to seek help in the first place.

Even today-forty some years later--psychology and its professionals are still sometimes put down as if they never have a success with a patient. Worse, there is a nasty implication that they do not know what they are doing. Self-righteous media pundits and certain shallow politicians are ready to write them off with every failure at social rehabilitation of felons and fail of course to credit them with any of their many successes. I much admire Tipper Gore for her endeavors in trying to legitimize as well as remove some of the social stigma that goes with treatment for mental health.

It took me a while to seek help. My own hang-up with going into therapy was that I was taught by my parents to solve my own problems rather than getting help with them. Therefore, I still tend to drive 30 miles out of my way when lost rather than stop and ask directions. Same situation at work; chided (gently) by my supervisor for not consulting with others when I need help with their proprietary (and most eccentric) software. I still want to be that conscientious child; please my parents and figure it out all by myself.

Finally, however, the severity of my emotional problem-and the distress they were causing my family--drove me to seek help. The results are something of a monument to my development as a human being. During the time that I have been in therapy I have grown in awareness of my self and my interactions with other human beings. I can honestly say that the quality of my life is better now than it was before therapy. I value my spouse, my relatives and most of all my life more now than previously. Most importantly, I am more in touch with my feelings and more readily able to follow my own soul urges.

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