I’ve had a stomach of anxiety for the better part of a week now. I use my Brad therapy techniques and try to work myself through it, and feel better for a few minutes and then that anxiety creeps right back in. Sometimes my anxiety resides in my chest, this anxiety is firmly positioned in my tummy. And this anxiety has Izzy written all over it.

She had a moody weekend. It happens to the best of us and I don’t hold it against her. She has a lot on her mind and she talks a little about it, but holds a lot back I think. She too had a stomach of anxiety I think. She did want to be near me most of Sunday, which is always nice, and she did give me a peak into what she’s thinking, but I know there’s so much more under the surface that she needs to let bubble out. She’s also mentioned a couple times of late that maybe she should talk to a therapist. And her talking to Brad is so hard because she hates Zoom. So the search is on for a therapist who can connect with Izzy, who can handle mood swings, unkind language and tough love. A therapist who will let her be silly when she needs to be and comfortable enough to be serious as well. A male therapist, because she relates better with males.

This new therapist has big shoes to fill. BIG SHOES. And big hair (haha!). For the girl….and for her mama. I will continue to see Brad, I can’t give his awesomeness up! And he completely understands Izzy struggles with virtual interaction and wants Izzy to find someone here she can talk to and trust. He’s given us a recommendation, and I know if I ask that he will happily share his knowledge with whomever we find. I actually interviewed a potential new therapist today. Connor. Connor sounds young. I told him all the tough things…the raw truth about Izzy and her relationship with her therapist. What’s going to work, and what won’t. Connor said “no problem, I can work with that.” Connor sounds confident. I tried to scare Connor off. Connor sounds ready for a challenge. Something about Connor sounded a little like Brad….but we’ll reserve judgement (Harsh, I’m sure) until we’ve met the guy. We took a long drive tonight just Iz and me. She’s most open in the car, our daily 40 minute drives are the only thing she and I miss about the ABA days. She agreed to give Connor a try. Excellent. I’ll now be holding my breath until July 1st…..