Lusijah Sutherland Darrow, LMFT

She was the weakest counselor I've ever seen.
 Because her intake is so sloppy, she didn't even get the basic facts or challenges that were drowning me more than ever when I made it into her office. The only reason I saw her was because she had openings sooner than anyone else in SC county, and in two neighboring ones as well. There are great reasons for that. 
She exhibits very poor skills. I could go into great detail, but I am timid about revealing much online. I merely wish to sincerely warn others who need help to get it from someone good! Please do your research to find someone who knows how to help. I ended up kind of fading away from treatment with her, meaning to seek out someone new. I have not had the time, energy, or mental health to continue, despite real needs. 

When I ended the relationship, I was so disgusted by her contribution to my healing. I started out disappointed at her passivity and lack of ideas.  Really, upon reflection, it was zero. So I didn't have the energy to go into anything with her. So I just mentioned a schedule conflict coming up instead of scheduling next appointments. She said, "I understand." She never asked me about continuing, follow up, or anything. I certainly wasn't going to take the energy that I didn't have to try to get her to help me with future steps. She didn't know if I was coming back or going to someone else. She just looked kind of guilty, like she knew she had been unhelpful. But I've been to other therapists, through college, for major stuff that I don't want to go into here in some public review. I know that there are really good procedures to summarize/synthesize/motivate positive mental health practices,  when one has to take a break or discontinue like when the school year ends, or if you have to move back home, etc.  I think that this is very important. She gave me  what feels like nothing, and really is next to nothing objectively. She has some tricks in her bag like her games and cards and costumes and things. Maybe for a very self motivated patient with lots of ideas for healing, and a good direction to take your therapist in, she would work. Bus as I write this, I see that what she needs is someone to show her what to do. 

 She never contacted me to see if I was going to reschedule. The point isn't that  I wanted to, but that I was left hanging in a lower place than I entered. She could have been a force for good, but she gave nothing more than some listening and talking about her own life. I know listening is important, but she had the least to offer of any therapist, counting interns, student peer counselors, group leaders and others with similar credentials. I just want to warn you, whether you are a student, or whatever reason you seek support, to ask around and find someone stronger and better. Good luck to you all.