Shit Counselors Who Need to be Hog-Tied

If you want to make your blood boil, read this appalling account by a woman with PTSD and other issues who happens to be overweight as well. This poor individual was brutally psychologically abused by her so-called therapist. 

This was my response to her post:

Personally I don't trust counselors because I've had bad experiences with many of them, but this one took the cake. Back in 1997 I was raped by a former boyfriend and was having panic attacks. I went to a counselor who also did hypnotherapy and supposedly did EMDR, but a counselor I had later said he never heard of EMDR being performed in the manner I described. At any rate at one point in my treatment, this broad says to me "Well, Bloomy, you're doing much better. You were a real basket case when you first came here." I looked at her aghast and said "EXCUSE ME?" 

She hemmed and hawed and said "well, what I meant was...well, you're doing much better now."

I said that I agreed that I was, and it was never appropriate to refer to a client as a "basket case." I terminated my therapy with her. Unfortunately I was apologetic about doing so. She said "oh, you don't need to apologize. I'M not the one with the self-esteem problem."

I agree with the person who said that it is worth it to interview potential therapists. You don't owe them a damn thing if they can't deliver compassionate treatment!

http://ping.fm/x4NrN 100 cool positive quotes for women and the men who respect them

http://ping.fm/f4myj On beauty, Shallowness, and Romance

Learn to value yourself, which means to fight for your happiness. --Ayn Rand

http://ping.fm/PvWr3 Misplaced Anti-Feminism leads to Tragedy

Misplaced Anti-Feminism Leads to Tragedy

This is my response to a post by JennInCanada on her blog, Fat and Unafraid, commemorating the one year anniversary of the killing of multiple women at the Polytechnique School in Montreal. I wanted to post it on the blog entry but for some reason her blog is being uncooperative!

The erroneous idea that women who identify as feminists are all "man-hating femi-nazis" is, I believe, a throwback to the idea that women are supposed to be subservient to men rather than being independent and self-sufficient. It is very sad that this archaic notion manifested itself in such tragedy.

This is my favorite quote about feminism. It definitely applies to my thoughts on the matter.

I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is: I only know that people call me a feminist whenever I express sentiments that differentiate me from a door mat or a prostitute. ~Rebecca West, "Mr Chesterton in Hysterics: A Study in Prejudice," The Clarion, 14 Nov 1913, reprinted in The Young Rebecca, 1982

One day all people will be treated equal and then there will be no need to identify as a feminist if one believes in equal treatment and opportunities for females. Until then, I am not about to be one of those apologists out of whose mouth falls the words "I'm not a feminist, but I believe that women should be afforded the same opportunities as men."

If you believe that, then you damn well are a feminist, whether you are male or female. Don't be afraid to wear the title proudly.

On Beauty, Shallowness, and Romance

This is a response to a poignant, painful post by Shannon of the fabulous Fierce, Freethinking Fatties blog.

 I was never considered pretty even when I was thin. At this point in my life I do not seek romance because I have mental health issues that make it impossible. Borderline personality disorder and romantic attachment make a very poor combination. I can’t take care of myself when I’m hung up on some guy–invariably a jerk.

I wouldn’t want guys drooling over me and thinking of me as a “babe” and a “hottie.” I am a very modest person and uncomfortable with that sort of lecherousness. However, in spite of it all, just once I would like to be seen as attractive. I guess it affects us all.