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DANIELLE TAYLOR
I

cannot remember a lot about my childhood
but I know my life began in difficult circum-
stances. Flash backs, physical sensations,
memories and feelings come back to me
randomly. I grew up in an abusive household,
my dad left before I was two and I had various
step-dads that were violent and psychologically
abusive towards my mum and I. Memories of
seeing my mum strangled and beaten with an
adult training shoe, while literally being thrown
into a room as a toddler are some of the memo- Memories of seeing my mum

effort to determine a need for medication, in some In closing, as I stated above, there are other ques- ries I carry from my past. But as my mum suf- strangled and beaten with
cases, I recommend a psychiatric evaluation and this tions that are asked by patients, and the questions fered abuse, she began to take her stress out an adult training shoe, while
is often done when the moods identified above are that I provided above are, the ones most often asked on me. I remember when she chased me into literally being thrown into a
reported to be intense and disruptive in the person’s of me by patients. Furthermore, by candidly answer- the room as she screamed and shouted while
daily functioning. Finally, if the symptoms reported ing their questions, in a way that’s most understand- I escaped to my top bunk bed and cowered in room as a toddler are some of
interfere with the person’s ability to effectively carry able to the patient, often leaves them feeling safe fear in the corner. She grabbed me by my hair, the memories I carry from my
out the requirements of their job, I will place them on and comfortable and encourages more transparency dragging me off the top bed, sadly the mem- past.
a leave from work, for a period of, one to two weeks. and security during future sessions. ory of her beating me consistently ad I cried
and scream still bothers me. No eight-year-old
child should experience that kind of treatment.

How Do I Get in Touch with You After Business Hours Dr. Tanya Martin, At eleven I had ‘suicide attempts’, holding my adults as a child and survived, it made me fear-
or In Case of An Emergency? Clinical Psychologist breath until I passed out, when that didn’t work less. But as they punched and kicked me I felt
This is an important question because, after opening I started to slice my wrists during my early teen a deep rage rising inside me, I released it and
up and sharing their innermost thoughts, feelings years. fought back and that’s when things changed.
and concerns, it has been my experience that many I was tired of being a victim, so I attacked life
patients want to maintain a sense of connection and Summary: Teen rebellion had taken a hold of me and I in full force and won. The more I fought back,
security. Therefore, it is not unusual for them to ask Dr. Tanya Martin is a Clinical Psychologist, shoplifted to gain popularity. I also became I was warned not to get ‘cocky’ or ‘think I was
for an after-hours or emergency contact number. As Author and Certified Imago Relationship familiar with alcohol, smoked weed and lied to anything’ and the more they fought back at
a result, most therapists will advise them to call 911 Therapist. She also works as a Psychologist my mum about where I was going. I wanted to me, their numbers grew. I skipped school and
in the case of an emergency or to go to the nearest at Apex Behavioral Health in Dearborn, Mich- escape, perhaps destroy my worthless self. I left without any qualifications, despite being
emergency room/hospital. They are also encouraged igan where she provides therapy, along with, stood up for people who couldn’t stand up for ahead in all of my classes.
to call the clinic and leave a message. a myriad of mental health services to adults. themselves at school. This got the attention of Later in life the inevitable happened, I lost my
She also serves as the Chair, on the Board of the local ‘hardcase’ girl gang, who made it their step-grandad to cancer. However, I still had my
Trustees, at the Michigan School of Psychol- nanna around. She was a beautiful, loving, nur-
ogy (her alma mater). mission to destroy me arranging fights and turing and supportive force in my life. My part-
luring me into places alone to gang up on me. I
got into a log of physical fights but I didn’t care, ner and I married and my nanna was beside
I was unafraid. Once you have been beaten by me at the top table, my parents were there too
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