An Open Letter of Gratitude

Today is my final session with my therapist, who I have been seeing for the last 10 months.

A year ago last month, I was finally diagnosed as being on the Autism Spectrum, this coupled with Complex PTSD, depression and anxiety, it was clear that therapy was a must.

I have a habit of running from my therapists, I never stay long enough for any real change to happen. It’s not the fault of the therapists, it’s timing, I think, maybe it’s fear as well.

I had just read Viktor Frankl’s “Man’s Search for Meaning”, and was deeply affected by this book. Shortly thereafter I was connected with Elisabeth who uses Frankl’s Existentialism.

I knew it was a match.

I was ready, more than ready to learn how to navigate this new piece of the puzzle. What I didn’t expect was all the changes that would take place.

I feel a peace in my spirit that I have never felt before. I feel like I know who I am, but more importantly, who I am not. I know that when difficulty comes, it passes, that I will get on the other side of things.

I have learned to accept myself, as I am. “Radical acceptance”, as Elisabeth pointed out. I know that I am not broken in any way, I know that my past does not define me, and most importantly, that I am not a victim.

Today is my final therapy session which also happens to fall on my mother’s birthday, where the very genesis of my trauma emerged. I know this too, was not an accident.

Elisabeth, thank you.