Dear Brena,
You saw me for PTSD connected to my childhood and my time in the armed services last fall. I wanted to write and tell you what a marvelous effect you have had on my life. It wasn't all obvious right away, but as I continue to heal it's becoming really clear how amazing your work was. I have stopped thinking about the military; more importantly, I have stopped fantasizing about it, imagining myself back in the service and desperately trying to rewrite history, which had me stuck.
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I almost never think about it at all any more, even if I'm reminded that I served. I have no more bad thoughts, no bad dreams - in fact no dreams at all - about that time. And I don't think about my childhood either; and recently, on receiving an ugly communication from my mother, I stood up to her calmly and respectfully and put an end to the issue without in any way trying to please her - a miracle! I am growing much closer to my brother and sister-in-law in a healthy, non-people-pleasing way. I am solidly non-suicidal for what I believe is the long haul; the first time in my adult life I have not been suicidal. I am turning fifty in July, and I'm really looking forward to it. So much has changed for the better since seeing you, and I am so incredibly grateful to you.
-Retired military