Therapy (40 page)
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DEAR READER,
This is a very personal story for me and I can’t tell you how appreciative I am that you gave it a chance. The topics I wrote about in this book are ones that I hope one day will no longer have any stigma attached to them. Our young people are suffering in silence because they’re ashamed. It is my hope that someday soon, we’ll live in a world where bullied teens and those that live with mental illness can live outside the box of shame and fear. If you’re one of those people, please reach out and ask for help. Asking doesn’t make you weak; it makes you strong. Helping yourself is the most courageous thing you will ever do. I am a suicide survivor and I’m thankful each and every day for those that have been a part of my journey to healing. It wasn’t an easy journey, but I get out of bed each day knowing it was worth the miles traveled. Loving who I am is still an everyday struggle, but I choose each day to try. I was diagnosed with borderline personality disorder in my early twenties and entering therapy was the best and scariest decision I have ever made. Dialectical behavior therapy and the work I did in that program saved my life. I truly feel that I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for the amazing therapist that provided me with the tools to live a happier, mentally healthier life. The hard work was worth every painful and scary step.
Just like Jessica, I had to face my emotional baggage and learn to make a new path in my life, to find my passion. After roaming aimlessly through life trying to find it, I found writing. Or maybe writing found me. I wanted to write Jessica’s story because I believe that there are many others out there who have traveled a similar path, and I wanted to shine a bright light on topics that are usually kept in the dark. I openly talk about my past because we should embrace our mistakes and our dark times, because without them we’d never have the lessons and the light.
Live everyday with the hopes of becoming more. Dream big and take chances. Never regret the risks you took and always strive to love yourself first. When it gets hard, put on a force field and face the pain and the fear, because you are stronger than you know. We all need a force field some days.
Stay Strong,
Kathryn
I HAVE NO clue how to even begin thanking people that were involved with this book. No amount of words will ever do them justice. Their dedication, compassion, and inspiration goes beyond any expectations I could ever have had.
To my children, you’re the most amazing little humans in my world. I love you with all that I am and you make me so very proud. I’m in awe of you every single day. Your patience during my long hours at the computer is something that I know was hard for you. I am more thankful than you’ll ever know.
To my husband, through many challenging times you have been there and you continue to be there, no matter what. This book would’ve never been possible if it weren’t for your unwavering support of my dreams. Thank you for believing in me when I didn’t want to believe in myself. Thank you for picking up the slack around the house when I was spending countless hours working on this story. Thank you for being both mom and dad some days. Thank you for being you. I love you so much.
To my mother, you’re my biggest cheerleader and I couldn’t be more thankful for you and your continued support of whatever I am doing in my life at any given time. I love you to the moon and back. Thank you for all the times you’ve kept the kids so I could work, done my laundry when it piled up, or cleaned up for me. All of those little things are more helpful than you’ll ever know. I promise to have more time to spend with you now that this book is written. Well, until I jump into the next one anyway.
To the KVP Street Team members and the group sponsor, Whirlwind Books Blog, wow, what an amazing group of people you are. My gratitude for you is boundless. Abby, Aimee, Amanda, Amy, Brandi, Carmen, Carol, Chelle, Chris, Denise, Elizabeth, Felisha, Fern, Fred, Gail, Heather, Jasmine, Lena, Megan, Michelle, Nancy, Pamela, Sally, Sonia, Teresa, Tiffany, Toni, Danielle, Heather Vanessa and Yara, I love you all so much and I am so honored to have you on my team! You’re all my purple snowflakes!
I am also thankful for many of my fellow authors. One of my favorite things is when we pull together, helping and supporting one another. Each one of the following people had an impact on me during the process of writing this book and I am thankful for each and every one of them: Cassia Leo, Laura Dunaway, Molly McAdams, Kelly Elliot, EL Montes, Tina Reber, Karina Halle, Katie Ashley, Mia Asher, Claribel Contreras, SL Jennings, Elle Chardou, Leslie Fear, HP Landry, Kelsie Leverich, Trudy Stiles, Gail McHugh, Toni Aleo, Heidi McLaughlin, and Jasinda Wilder. Sarah Dosher, I am also eternally grateful for you and for the friendship we have had from day one over a year ago. I’m so happy to have traveled this path with you and I know we will continue to do so far into the future. Love you lots girl! KA Robinson and Jessica Prince I am ecstatic to have made such good friends with both of you. The conversations here and there, funny texts and a smile on a frown type of day that you give me when it is much needed is priceless. Lisa N. Paul, your help with the steamy scenes will certainly be appreciated by the readers. That’s for sure! Thank you so much for your help and support. Aleatha Romig, your class and humbleness sets you apart and I am honored to be in your circle of friends. Thank you for your continued support and valuable advice. Christine Zolendz, thank you so very much for allowing an excerpt of Therapy to be in the back of your novel, Brutally Beautiful. That was such an honor.
One author in particular who puts up with my incessant ranting and self-loathing on a regular basis is one, Madeline Sheehan. I am happy to call you a friend and I can’t tell you enough how grateful I am for you. Thanks for always being there and for always encouraging me. Thank you for talking me off a ledge many times and for pushing me to be a better writer. You make me laugh and you always help me to see things from a better perspective. Love you lots! Babe, yeah.
It takes a lot of input, research, and thought to put a book together. Without all of the vital roles each person plays, an idea would never become a polished, complete story. To my beta readers, Gail Charnick, Amanda Penrod, Chris Thompson, Megan Kapusta, Jenn Hall, Chelle Northcutt, Kaci Buckley, Beth Rustenhaven, and Murphy Rae. Thank you so very much for spending so much of your free time helping me fine-tune Jessica’s story. You’re invaluable to me. Never forget that! Chelle, Megan K, Chris and Gail I want you to know how very much your one on one encouragement and support means to me. I couldn’t have done this without you. You’re truly amazing!
I also must thank Chase Glover for helping me better understand drinking and driving laws. To the wonderfully talented musician, Tyler Lenius, I have to say how excited I am to share your music with my readers. I am so honored to have one of your songs within the pages of my book. Music makes everything better!
To my editor, Megan Ward, nothing short of AMAZING can describe how I feel about you. Your professionalism and dedication to this story will forever mean the world to me. The countless hours on the phone, texting, emailing, and working with me on this book far exceeded my expectations. I can never tell you enough how appreciative I am of all the hard work you put into this story.
To Aimee Emerick, Megan Simpson, Brenna Weidner, and Lena Ampofo, thanks for being there in the beginning of Jessica’s story. I hope you are happy with how it turned out. Denise Tung and Fred Lebaron, no words are adequate enough for the support you have given me over the past year. I love you both. Thank you.
To my cover designer, Sarah Hansen of Okay Creations, I want to thank you for bringing my vision to life in this stunning cover. Not only did you practically read my mind, you blew my mind. The back is equally as beautiful as the front. Your talent is always worth the wait. And yes, I’ll keep saying it, you are always right!
To Julie Titus of JT Formatting, thank you for making my words look pretty on everyone’s e-readers and within the pages of a paperback. Your talent and dedication to your clients is nothing short of exceptional.
To every blog that has supported me, I am eternally grateful for your continued support of new indie authors. Your dedication to this community is tireless and I am so very appreciative of you. I would like to especially thank Whirlwind Books and The Indie Bookshelf for all that you have and continue to do to support my work.
To Amanda Todd, a snowflake up in heaven, your memory lives on through many and I’ll never stop advocating for others that struggle with the challenges you struggled with. May God and his angels forever wrap their love around you and your family. You’ll never be forgotten.
To the WDDR writing group, thank you ladies for your invaluable advice and for being a place to go when I need to find answers or just let off some steam. Y’all are amazing!
Lastly, but certainly not least, I want to thank Colleen Hoover. Without you I would’ve never been inspired to follow my dream to write the stories I had in my head. You motivate me to be better, do better, and to never quit. Your kindness and generosity amazes me. I can’t tell you how honored I am to know you, and to have you as a mentor and friend. I can never explain to you how much you have changed my life in both small and big ways. Thank you for believing in me. I and Love and You.
KATHRYN LIVES IN her small East Texas hometown with her husband and two children. She is a music infused writer and self-proclaimed book junkie. When she isn't listening to music, writing or reading you will probably find her watching her favorite sport, UFC.
Kathryn is also an anti-bullying advocate and avid supporter of mental-illness and suicide awareness.
You can follow Kathryn on Facebook at