Yes askye, getting ahead of it is a good plan.

Thanks Laura. I was so tired when I wrote that I didn't remember it. I found some ear protection muffs that, according to the reviews, do a good job of blocking out voices. Which will help at home and I may even take them to work to use on my breaks next weekend.

I have to figure out how to find a therapist here, and I'm dreading it.

Dana, that's hard. Anyone local you'd feel comfortable asking for a recommendation?

Nope. Only family. Who I love and appreciate, but we do not have those discussions.

Like, I found someone who gets good reviews, and I have to decide how worried to be that she offers "Christian counseling" upon request. I mean, this is Texas.

Dana, you might already know this, but Psychology Today has a directory of therapists: [link] It's a good place to start.

Okay, I realize I cannot make a decision solely on this basis, but one of the people listed there has her dog in the office for sessions.

I...might have made a decision solely on that basis, if I hadn't found my therapist.

My therapist in Philly had a dog in the office. (Portuguese water dog, same breed that the Obamas got.) It was a very chill doggo, and worked as a therapy dog in other settings too.

I'd regard having a dog as a plus - wouldn't outweigh other factors, but still a positive. Thought occurs to me that asking them why they decided to have a dog in the office might tell you something about therapist's approach to therapy too.

She says the dog often greets people at the door and is known for his calm demeanor and his love of treats. I don't know if it's explicitly a therapy dog in other settings, but it's definitely there for comfort.