I started 12 step groups when I was 14. My parents divorced six months later. I hated my mom, didn't really have a relationship with my sisters and now the only one who gave me attention - albeit negative and destructive - was gone. I was lost. I had no identity apart from being abused. I started acting out. My mom was already in recovery for just over a year. She knew what to do. She gave me an ultimatum: See a counselor or move out. Obviously I went to see a counselor. But it wasn't Liz. It was someone else. This other woman was good for awhile but then misled me in significant areas of my identity. It was then that I decided to leave.
I called a local agency to see a new counselor. The next woman was just like the previous one mentioned above. I was shocked and disheartened. I started going to group therapy. That's when I met Liz. She facilitated the group. I liked her gentleness and sincerity. I knew almost immediately that I wanted her to be my counselor. I took some risky steps, asked her to be my therapist and it came to be!
I was a new Christian, struggling with my sexuality, PTSD from abuse memories, flashbacks and dreams, displaying signs of depression and mental illness, leaving my dad, finding my place in my family and healing from a bad car accident. To put it simply, Liz helped me through the bulk of my early healing.
She did this through her natural calm, teaching art therapy, encouraging me to write, becoming someone I could trust, not taking over the session, respecting my physical boundaries, mentioning God from time to time, letting me talk at my pace and at times, challenging me to think differently. Liz was the first one who made it a safe place to cry in front of someone. I always cried alone.
How do you thank someone who impacted your broken life in such a healing way? I remember what she taught me, how much she loved me, the many prayers she said on my behalf and I continue using the coping skills she taught me. That is how I honor her.
This song tells what I learned about God during the 15 years Liz counseled me.
