Therapy Session

“I got a bit better with time,
the numbness almost left completely,
but I still react in bursts—
and all I feel is something festering”

“Therapy Session” explores how trauma can haunt the human psyche and wades into the depths of personal suffering.

In this debut poetry collection told in free verse, M.D. Robins reflects on their life since childhood, from the perspective of early adulthood. As a neurodiverse queer person living with chronic illness and disability, they challenge the harmful standards forced on them in the past. In this cathartic and emotional collection, vulnerable language shines light on a betrayed heart and the visceral misery of self-destruction.

Healing and strength grow slowly throughout Robins’ delicate word choice that tentatively grasps for happiness and yearns for a better future.

CONTENT WARNINGS

GENERAL	MODERATE	MINOR
Descriptions of anxiety and panic attacks, shutdowns, depressive episodes, self-deprecating thoughts, general negativity, suicidal ideation, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, toxic relationships, bullying, emotional neglect, discrimination against neurodiverse people, talk of therapy, misgendering, insecurity, unhealthy coping mechanisms, anger issues, self-harm, external and internalized ableism, medical gaslighting, chronic pain.	Grief, death of grandparents, PTSD, internalized fatphobia, smoking, alcohol consumption, descriptions of food and food preparation.	Mention of forced kissing, infidelity, brief mention of falsely assumed drug use, forced outing, implied transphobia, queerphobia, sexism, mention of racism, xenophobia, and systemic persecution.