Beyond the Shadows: A Tale of Strength, Faith, and Therapeutic Transformation. Mariana glared at her phone with anger and frustration. It was yet another message from her ex-husband, demanding child support for their kids whom he rarely saw or cared about. The urge to throw the device against the wall surged within her, but she restrained herself. She needed the phone for work and couldn’t afford to break it.
She sighed and stowed the phone in her bag. Sitting in the parking lot of her law office, where she worked as an attorney, Mariana had just come out of a stressful meeting with a difficult client who blamed her for losing the case. Despite giving her best effort, the judge didn’t agree with her arguments. She felt unjustly treated and undervalued.
Starting her car’s engine, Mariana wanted to go home and rest, but she knew it wasn’t possible. She had to pick up her kids from school, prepare dinner, assist them with homework, and still deal with her own personal issues. She felt overwhelmed and tired.
She remembered the conversation she had with her friend Ana last week. Ana, her best friend since college, always supported her through tough times. Ana noticed Mariana was struggling and made a suggestion.
“Why don’t you see a therapist?” Ana asked.
“A therapist?” Mariana repeated, surprised.
“Yes, a therapist. A Christian therapist, to be specific. Her name is Julia, and she’s excellent. She helped me a lot during my divorce. She’s very professional but also very compassionate. She knows how to address emotional and spiritual matters. She’s a blessing.”
“I don’t know, Ana. I’ve never been to a therapist. I don’t think it’s for me. I have my faith, my family, my friends. I don’t need anyone else.”
“Mariana, don’t be stubborn. You know I love you, and I just want what’s best for you. You’re going through a tough time and need help. You can’t carry it all alone. You need to open up, to free yourself, to heal. You need someone to listen to you, guide you, strengthen you. You need Julia.”
“I don’t know, Ana. I’m scared. What if she judges me? What if she condemns me? What if she changes me?”
“She won’t do any of that, Mariana. She’ll welcome you, understand you, respect you. She’ll help you find yourself, accept yourself, love yourself. She’ll show you the path to peace, joy, hope. She’ll bring you closer to God.”
“I don’t know, Ana. I’ll think about it.”
“Don’t think too much, Mariana. Just do it. I have her number here. I’ll send it to you. Call her and schedule a session. You won’t regret it.”
Mariana recalled the number Ana sent her, saved in her contacts. She had never called it but felt like maybe she should. She was unhappy and needed a change. She wanted to be a better person, a better mother, a better woman. She wanted to be happy.
She retrieved her phone again, searching for the name Julia. She saw the number and hesitated. She was scared but also curious. She had doubts but also hope. She felt resistance but also willingness.
Taking a deep breath, she made a decision.
She pressed the call button.
