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What day is it?

 You can’t move for days these days, many of which are ridiculous! National olive oil day, national cherries day, for example. And I recently learned that September 25this National Psychotherapy Day in the U.S. I groaned at first when I saw this. And then I stopped and looked into it a little, and found that actually, of all the days, this is one I can get behind. 

It’s a recent addition to the calendar, starting only in 2012. A brief look at their website makes the point of this day very clear: “National Psychotherapy Day is dedicated to the promotion, research, and support of psychotherapy for all who need it.” The rationale was to reduce stigma, to make talking about psychotherapy acceptable, and ultimately to make it that bit easier for people to pick up the phone and book the appointment they’ve been meaning to book for ages. 

You can take a little of this mission on if you like. 

  • Maybe you might wear turquoise (the chosen colour) on Wednesday 25th and be ready to explain why when someone asks? 
  • Perhaps you might talk to your friend that you know is having therapy and ask how it’s going? 
  • Perhaps you might give your own therapist some constructive feedback about how you’re finding your work with them. 
  • Or maybe you can think about starting therapy yourself.

 Therapy isn’t just about individual sessions. Therapy also includes marriage

counseling. Convincing both parties of the need to embark on couples counseling can be a challenge and we at Vivamus would like to make it a little easier. We’re offering reduced fees for couples’ sessions with Cheryl Warsama availed between September 25thto October 31stin order to make it that little bit easier to seek support.

So I’ll respectfully decline the festivities associated with World Comic Day (also taking place on September 25thfor anyone that way inclined), but my team and I will be embracing the ethos behind National Psychotherapy Day with pride. All the while gearing up for World Mental Health Day on October 10th! 

Dr. Marie Thompson. Clinical Psychologist