And I thought reviewing my gynecologist was getting too personal, no, THIS is getting personal. But, looking for a therapist is such a shot in the dark, I'm forever grateful for Stephanie's review of Dr. Asturias from a few years ago, so I figured it's time I pay it forward.
I've been to a therapist or two in my day, but some were just plain awful and some were just so boring or new agey that we just didn't mesh. After a tough year or so, I decided to try again. Enter Dr. Asturias.
Not to do the whole Catherine Zeta-Jones thing, but yeah, I've dealt (or "suffered" as they say) with depression for, well, for a long fucking time. It's one of those things you feel like you're not really supposed to talk about, but if you do you're being an attention whore or something. Screw it, sometimes things just ARE. Anyway, even throughout other trials and tribulations and other doctors and lazy psychiatrists, I can say I never really understood it until now. Dr. Asturias has really helped me understand... well... me.
Here's what's funny about me reviewing a psychologist: I HATE talking about myself. I can talk about bacon or last week's Homeland or the air-speed velocity of an unladen swallow for hours upon hours. When it comes to me. *shudder* The point is, this man should receive a medal for dealing with a patient like me who doesn't understand the whole concept of talking about oneself. His patience is amazing. (I guess his patients are too, if I don't say so myself.)
I was hesitant about visiting another therapist, period, and even moreso because he's male. I know, I'm a total sexist, but it did give me pause. He's just all kinds of fantastic though. And is just real. I feel like some therapists just spout out random cliches and junk, but he is very self-aware if he's using a cliche and lets me joke about the whole thing, but still makes sure I take my whole situation seriously.
Speaking of cliches, I know it's the most cliche thing to say about a psychologist, but what the hell, I'll say it anyway - he totally saved my life. It's true. I've been through some goddamn dark times in my head, and I can honestly say that even though I've only been seeing him six months, I feel better about myself than I have in 15 years. And I'm excited about the future and even, dare I say... happy. read more