Dear Therapist, Why I Kept Coming Back to Therapy

A Kashmiri woman pens an honest tribute to her therapist, showing how even the slowest journeys can lead to profound change.

- Aisha Hasnain

Dear Wasim Rashid Kakroo Sir

Given my OCD tendencies and properness, it is hard for me to call you Dr. Wasim because you are not a Ph.D.

When you asked me if I could help you with an honest review on Google, I felt very sorry because I don't go by my real name anywhere.

It felt like I wouldn't be able to do it in a genuine manner. “I'll do it some other way,” I told you. Hence, I will share my experience with a psychologist, which happens to be you, here.

My first session with you was on June 4, 2022. I cannot believe it has already been three years. You were recommended by a relative of a dear friend.

A couple of months back, I proudly wanted to write to you that, ‘dear therapist, my last session with you was my last session with you,’ but last week I decided to come back, making it my 113rd session with you.

On completing one year with you, I wanted to leave a feedback to you on WhatsApp but my progress had been so slow and subtle that it was hard to recognize what I could write to you.

I told you that the only profitable thing I could count until then was 'accountability'. The irony is that last week, I came back for therapy for the same reason: Accountability.

Having done quite a bit for my mental health, I need to shift my focus towards physical health and I am failing to do it on my own.

The first time I called you, you asked me if I would like to consult with a colleague of yours instead, equally competent, because you didn't have time slots available for a new client.