We have to do a "safety plan" for a violent and/or abusive situation that is very detailed. While we do not have to turn it in, we have to write a paper about our experience, reflecting especially on how it would be for a client to go through this process.

I brought it into session and tried to go through it, but it just reminded me of how unsafe and alone I felt at the time. And also how I did try to do all kinds of things to protect myself which all failed. Police, doctors, women's crisis support all failed to help me. People at hotels did not protect me by screening my calls. My friends and family did not believe me and turned away. I lost everything, even my trust with my therapist. I had to move out and had a major surgery connected to an injured knee. I was selling things to survive, had to leave school for a while, learned some other skills to work as a journalist, but it was terrible.

At the end of session, I just had tears in my eyes and felt raw pain. I don't cry easily, though I am finding it more common. I had him make a soothing recording before to use, but I now know that I'm going to have to work on this more. And have no idea how I'm going to write the paper without downright lying.