Yeah, I’m a lot like you in that I tend to be my own therapist, and sometimes that works fine. It’s just stopped working–the problem with being intelligent sometimes is that it just allows you to tie yourself in bigger knots. And I’ve gotten to the point where I am constantly having a hard time making even simple decisions, or following through on my responsibilities–I can’t seem to pull myself out of it. Don’t know if the therapist I picked will help, but the funny part was, just knowing I’m going has helped a tiny bit this week. Weird.

I find if I really start to visualize myself in a particular way (warm, funny, caring, smart, fearless)…it makes it a lot easier to be so in real life. Kinda of a “fake it, until you make it” approach.

I think the best therapy is that which I give myself - being true, being honest, being kind, and asking for help. I am (and I believe you are too) an intelligent, rational, well-adjusted adult woman - I don’t need a therapist to pry and tease out my thoughts or feelings. I know those - I just sometimes have trouble with how I file them away.

However - I have tried therapy a time (or six) and the most productive were those where I was able to use them mostly as a sounding board - where I could say “Am I being unreasonable, etc.? Am I just making excuses?” When I get down/depressed, etc…I have a hard time being objective about myself - and a good therapist is able to help me with that. I work through it (at times w/meds) and I move on.

And lastly, I always found some hope in this quote by Anais Nin: “And the day came when the risk to remain tight in a bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom.” Sometimes the only solace I have is the knowledge that eventually something will have to give.