The Successful Conclusion To My Therapeutic Journey

Mental Health Struggles & Alcoholism

It all began for me in 1997 when I entered a 28-Day Treatment Program for binge/blackout drinking.

Soon after, I participated in a Mental Health Day Treatment Program and started therapy at Avalon Sexual Assault Centre.

During this time I was misdiagnosed with ADHD, DDNOS and PTSD.

Years past as I participated in many types of therapies such as psychoanalysis, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Inner Family System (IFS).

Nothing seemed to help. These therapies weren’t “strong enough” to deal with my flooding, overwhelming emotions and abandonment issues.

35 years later, my entire life changed.

On February 9th, 2022, I was re-assessed by a seasoned psychiatrist with Community Mental Health and Addictions (CMHA), a Nova Scotia public mental health service. I was diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Histrionic Personality Disorder (HPD).

Finally, my life, my behaviours, my struggles made sense. I had a name/an explanation for why I did the things I did.

With such a long wait list to be assigned a CMHA therapist, I immediately started in private practice with a therapist who once worked for CMHA and was very familiar with BPD and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

After a year with her, it felt like we were spinning our wheels – not going anywhere. Our therapeutic relationship didn’t end well.

In the later months of 2023, I once again reached out again to CMHA to have my name put on the wait list for a therapist. I was escalated to the top of the list because of my dedication and hard work of wanting to get better.

I was assigned a therapist, Susan.

Susan quickly put me on the long waiting list to attend a CMHA – Zoom – 13 Week Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) Group.

I attended this DBT group during the summer break months of 2024. I absolutely loved it!

After the DBT group, Susan and I continued our sessions.

We identified I was experiencing trauma responses to certain people, places and things.

In the summer of 2025, Susan and I began a 12-week run of Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) sessions for trauma. We went well beyond the 12 Weeks!

This past March 19th, of 2026, Susan and I ended my CPT sessions with her as well as calling it a wrap for our time together.

Since 1997, I was never truly able to successfully navigate my alcoholism until my mental health was properly treated.

On August 1st, 2023 I finally surrendered and accepted my alcoholism – returning to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to support my sobriety.

This is a life-long, one-day-at-a-time AA journey .

As well, I’ve recently started to attend Recovery Dharma meetings, to bring Buddhist teachings into my life. This pairs nicely with AA.

Over the years, I have tried SNRI and ADHD medications, medically prescribed CBD/THC, and micro-dosing mushrooms to try and help me.

Sometimes SNRI’s helped. Other times not so much.

ADHD medications did not work – helping to debunk my ADHD diagnosis.

In 2020/2022, I was on medically prescribed CBD/THC. At first it helped. Then I slowly became addicted. At times, I overdosed that brought about 2 separate psychotic episodes. I stopped.

In 2023, I tried micro-dosed mushrooms because I felt so disconnected from myself and my life. I eventually became addicted and stopped.

During 2022, my doctor put me back on an SNRI – Effexor – for extreme anxiety. This has helped.

Now, 4 years later I am ready to start the process of coming off of Effexor. I notice the side effects and want to be free of them.

Free and clear of all mind-altering substances.

Except coffee and chocolate!

As mentioned, this past March 19th, of 2026, Susan and I ended my CPT sessions as well as calling it a wrap for our time together.

It was time. I was ready to skillfully step out into the world, calling it an end to therapy.

Susan congratulated my dedication, hard work and how I am one of the most self-aware women she’s worked with.

Susan knows I will be okay, reminding me to: