There’s still too much stigma around mental health struggles

“Can I come in through the back door?” or, “Please schedule my appointments so I don’t run into anyone I know.” These requests were routine early in my 40-year private practice as a clinical psychologist. Teachers didn’t want to encounter their students or students’ parents. Doctors wanted to avoid their patients. Students were uneasy about seeing classmates in the parking lot or on the stairwell even though those classmates had just completed a psychotherapy session themselves with my officemates or me.