by Irene Barrett

About the author: Irene Barrett is a pseudonym for a freelance writer and writing instructor who lives in Portland, Oregon.

In 1991, I suffered an emotional crisis so debilitating that, even after countless hours and thousands of dollars worth of therapy, I was depressed, utterly hopeless—and contemplating suicide.

The crisis that started this ordeal is a story unto itself. Suffering from chronic depression, I’d started to see a psychiatrist in my town for treatment. His “therapy” included sex, and we began an affair that lasted two years. When the relationship soured, he severed all contact, both medical and personal. I contacted the state board of medical examiners for help. I knew that his conduct had been unconscionable, but I didn’t know what...