Pilot, Alan Gordon and Derek Sapico are both in Los Angeles. Alan referred me to Derek because Alan costs a little more and I could not afford it. They have a whole section on here about Alan Gordon's recovery program and from his recordings I think he is just great. I never met Derek but I skyped with him for about 3 months. Its strange, I never met with him in person but because of the video exchange, I feel like I know him really well. It will be interesting some day to meet him in person and to compare. Derek is very, very good. I can be a little critical of therapists because I have seen more than a few and I think very highly of Derek. The only reason I temporarily stopped "seeing" him is that I wanted to try working with a Somatic Experiencing therapist. I operate so much in my head and I am in the process of trying to figure out ways to be in my body without focusing on pain and fear. The Somatic Experiencing is helping me a whole lot in this regard. The whole flight and fright response, I used to run in panic when I would experience uncomfortable physical sensations or I would find ways to distract my mind to avoid feeling the pain. Now I am learning how to direct my mind to the places in my body that are not in pain, helping being present in my body a little more manageable. This sounds weird but also learning how to experience my emotions physically. I thought I was so emotional but really I was running from my emotions. It is difficult for me to explain but I am noticing a lot of benefit from the Somatic Experiencing. That and everything else I have learned about TMS. Derek helped me a bunch too. I had not heard of that particular Candida test. I spent about a year working on Candida, eating no sugar and doing special cleansing diets and supplements. Its funny because I was working on a movie about 13 years ago in New York with Uma Thurman and when I heard that she was suffering from a yeast infection I gave her this enormous book how to cure Candida. She looked very surprised. I don't think she really wanted to give it that much attention! It may of all helped in some way, who knows, I am still alive! I don't think Candida creates the back pain though. It can effect your immune system and make you feel run down but clearing the candida was not a cure for me. I just created other symptoms to chase. It always seemed to be something and I couldn't really connect the dots before. Glad you are considering working with a therapist. I think it could really help. Be patient! Get that evidence sheet ready.
