Wednesday, November 3, 2021
I googled Catherine because someone I know in Halifax was looking for someone to see for mental health support and I wanted to recommend her. Nearly 12 years ago, in my final year of university, I was in a very low place mentally and was referred onward by my doctor. I had a pretty horrible experience with the ins and outs of navigating the admin side of the service, and when I finally got to see someone it was Catherine. It was the first experience I had had with any sort of support, and I think I only saw her for a few sessions, but I still feel the impact today. It was the first time I started to examine why I was struggling with things and was open about past experiences in a way that didn't feel like I was laughing them off, and she made me feel like it was okay to not fit in. I've seen many other mental health professionals since, which has led to many positive changes for me including a diagnosis of autism, but without Catherine having been so welcoming I don't think any of that would have happened.
This is obviously years too late and a place for friends and family, so apologies for the intrusion, but I have letters I've written her to say thank-you and never sent, and I felt I couldn't leave the page without writing something here.
