Good morning, my name is Adrienne Fridley. I have been with an Art Therapist for just over four years now. I am currently 34 years old and have been in therapy for my CPTSD since I was 19 years old. I would like to state that I attempted to go to my local CSB for regular therapy as well as case management and medication services, however my involvement there was sporadic. I could never identify with a therapist that "fit my needs". There was a therapist in particular that made a statement that "everyone is a victim of sexual assault" and went on to say other belittling comments which made me leave the CSB for some time. (I am a survivor of sexual assault.) My ultimate choice to leave the CSB was when I found out whom my biological father was and I brought it up to my psychiatrist at the time, she told me that "in her country, cousins get married all the time." This was very hurtful to me at the time and not something I needed to hear while Covid was going on. The main reason it was hurtful is my biological mother had me at 14 and I found out thru ancestry DNA that my "biological father" sexually assaulted her and is also her 2nd cousin, he was also well into his mid 20s at the time. 

I mentioned Covid because I met my Art Therapist at this time. She is over an hour away from my home and I am able to do my appointments with her via telehealth and see her in person when I'm able to make it there. 

Art Therapy ties hand in hand with CPT/CBT Therapy and it should not be looked down upon, it should be further explored to help people and covered by all insurances to help people. Any form of therapy should, rather it be any I've listed in this above statement or other forms such as hypnotism, acupuncture or the countless other things that could truly make a difference in someone's lives. 

The statement "a mile a someone's shoes" truly rings here when it comes to this. The stigma surrounding mental illness or illness in general should not exist in 2025.

Thank you for reading. Please feel free to reach out to me.