Today we
welcome Dr. Katherine Cook, protagonist of award-winning suspense author Jennie
Spallone’s Psychobabble. Learn
more about her and Jennie at Jennie’s website.
Would You
Hire Me For Your Therapist?
By Dr. Katherine Cook, Ph. D.
Ever heard
the story about the shoemaker’s son who goes barefoot? The kids of mental
health professionals fall into a similar category. Actually, it’s even worse
for us. As a psychologist, I speak from personal experience when I say we
mental health professionals become too fixated on untangling our own childhood
traumas to help our children and clients wrestle with their mishigas, which my Jewish friends define
as craziness.
It’s tough
to admit, but I believe I am losing my mind. For the last few months, I’ve been
passing out, discovering household items I never purchased, experiencing
diabolical headaches, and hearing voices. Don’t worry – I took a leave of
absence from my domestic violence counseling practice so as not to negatively
impact my clients. Also, I have no children to gift with a genetic disorder; at
thirty-two-years-old, my motherhood dreams have dissipated in direct proportion
to the decreased number of dates I’ve gone on in the last few years.
The
doctors have given me every test under the sun -- or so they say -- but my
physical, psychological, and cognitive tests have all proved negative. I’m
frustrated that no one can diagnose my condition. I’m definitely not hallucinating
a mental disorder!
I’ve
thumbed through the DSM 5 hundreds of times for my domestic violence and
pedophile survivor clients, but this time, I feel ambivalent. This time it’s
all about me. Although anxious to know the truth of my medical condition, a
voice inside my head says, “You don’t want to know.” I’ve sifted through my
negative childhood memories – mother mauled by lion when I was five, adopted by
aunt and uncle, hospitalized for allergic response to chocolate, divorced from
professor – nothing overly dramatic. My psychiatrist says I undervalue the
traumas I’ve experienced. I tell her my clients’ horror stories make mine sound
like fairy tales – which, I admit, are actually horror stories for young
children.
Carol
Sobel, Psy. D., my psychiatrist, was my mother’s colleague before mom got
killed. She refuses to even entertain the possibility that the psychological
test results she’s given me might be wrong. She agrees that I’m not bipolar,
also known as manic/depressive; this disorder occurs in older teens or young
adults. However, we disagree about Schizophrenia, a brain disorder that
distorts the way a person thinks, acts, expresses emotion, and perceives
reality. While Schizophrenia
usually occurs in young adults, it can be diagnosed into the early 30s; I’m 32,
a prime candidate.
I would
very much appreciate your emotional support as I continue my quest. It is only
when I discover the source of my medical condition that I will gain peace of
mind. Only then will I have the knowledge I need to return to the work I love.
You can
reach me through my friend’s website: www.jenniespallone.com
Thank you
in advance for the strength to carry on….
Sincerely,
Katherine
Cook, Ph. D.
Psychobabble
Dr. Katherine Cook, Ph.D, struggles with frequent
black outs, memory loss, and impulsive behavior. Items she’s not purchased turn
up in her desk drawer and refrigerator. After neurological and physical tests
come back negative, the Chicago domestic violence psychologist fears she is
losing her mind.
As Kate wrestles with her health situation, a serial
killer of pedophiles is on the loose in the City. CPD detectives Maggie
O’Connor and Monroe Jackson plod through a tangled web of leads, while the FBI
chomps to take over the Case.
Then Kate’s colleague reveals a member of the Loved Ones of Pedophiles support group they cohost may be
involved in the killings. Now the psychologist must decide whether to betray
the anonymity of their members, or allow a serial killer to walk free. Either
way, she will be forced to confront childhood truths she’s kept hidden for two
decades — even from herself.
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