by R. Freeman

Created on: August 09, 2011

“I guess you could say I’ve just been skimming the surface of life, scared of what I might encounter if I plunge in. I’ve just been surviving and never really counted on anybody for anything.” Corrine felt the muscles in her neck tighten as she spoke.  “So, you want to talk about trust issues now?  I was starting to wonder what type of psych doc you are who doesn't want to talk about how I’ve been mistreated as a kid and all the problems it caused.”  

Dr. Grant didn’t respond or even bother to look up, but continued to write in her black leather bound legal pad.  Corrine searched the doctor’s face for a response before quickly lowering her eyes again.   This was her third session and she just couldn’t figure this woman out.

“I never connected with my mom or dad. “ Corrine continued.  “No brother or sister, just me and a grandmother who was as mean as a snake.  Seemed to me her only mission in life was to make my life miserable. ” 

After a long pause Doctor Grant spoke softly.  “And is you grandmother still living?” 

“No, she died of bone cancer three years ago.  I wasn’t there when she died and didn’t bother going to the funeral. ” Corrine never discussed anything about her grandmother with anyone and she felt a little uncomfortable now.  Psychiatrists, at least the two she’d seen as a child, just seemed too anxious to get inside her head and pry open her memory strongbox.    

She was fourteen when she had her first counseling session and still under the care of her grandmother who was willing to try anything to get Corrine to stop running away from home. It wasn’t that she wanted to keep her there to love and care for, but the embarrassment of the situation was proving to be too much.  Pastor Holden had even met with her to find out if there was anything that the leaders of the youth group could do to help her with Corrine.  So she made a few phone calls and a few days later informed Corrine that she would be ‘seeing someone’ once a week to discuss her ‘issues’. 

Her grandmother faithfully drove her to each appointment to show everyone how committed she was to making sure that her granddaughter got the help she needed.   After two sessions, the first psychiatrist referred her to a colleague

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