Well, I did it with my T's help because he picked up on that problem relatively quickly. He helped me brainstorm responses to my parents' various manipulations and attempts to control me. I gave you the example before of suggesting ways to respond to my parents' efforts to force to move to their house for the summer. My T had me start small and start building. Pick small tasks that ordinarily I would avoid because I didn't think I could do it. He encouraged me to just put in two applications for jobs, then two more, etc. So maybe you could start by asking your surgeon there for a referral to a surgeon in the Boston area, and finding the driving school to come to you.

Learned Helplessness « You Are Not So Smart
Learned Helplessness And The Road To Recovery | Spirituality and Self Help

There are other websites as well if these two are not helpful for you.