This October marks twelve years that I have been a part of the benzo community. Those first few years were challenging: tapering, bedridden, cold turkeyed, psych ward, etc. A whole lot of fun. Not! I’ve been doing my best to help people throughout my healing journey, using my doctorate in psychology, post-doc social neuroscience studies, and my lived experienced, along with the stories I’ve heard from so many others.

I’ve created online courses, Facebook groups, and a live support group to help because I care about you more than you know. For all the years I’ve been in the community, it’s been my policy to answer emails, texts, Facebook messages, and WhatsApp messages from anyone in the community who needed help. I invited and encouraged people to reach out. Now, I can’t. I don’t have the extra time as there are so many messages. But more than that, I am dancing on the edge of burnout. I listen to, read, and respond to so much suffering seven days a week. I can no longer enjoy time to relax or enjoy my family without someone in distress reaching out to me. And I GET IT! I do! I was there, too, for a long time. I know I drove Baylissa, Geraldine, and Matt crazy with my emails and calls. I was desperate for help. So I understand.

But I also understand I have to do something for my well-being. I need to step away from answering questions about symptoms, giving reassurance, etc. I am happy to answer questions about my work or support group, but please book a coaching session if you have questions or concerns about your symptoms, tapering, etc. If you need urgent medical help, please get it ASAP. The same goes for mental health care. Reach out to someone you can trust to talk to. The National Suicide Prevention Hotline is 800-273-8255.

I’m still offering one-to-one coaching Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. You can book any available time slot. I’ve added urgent sessions on Monday evenings from 5:00 to 5:30 p.m. and 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m, Thursday mornings. (The cost is double my usual fees.) You can sign up for an urgent session if available; you do not have to ask permission anymore. I will not be offering any other times for urgent sessions.

I pondered a long time about writing this post. I don’t want anyone to feel I am upset. I am not. I am just tired. I need better work boundaries. I want to be there for everyone, but I can’t be. I need to take care of myself, just as I always encourage everyone else to do.

If you need ongoing support, I encourage you to join my Mornings With Jenn support group. It’s a wonderful, positive, loving group of people. We are a unique group. I am proud of all the members; everyone is incredibly compassionate.

I am creating a few online courses for benzo withdrawal and the medical community. (The book I’ve been working on (for years!) about benzo withdrawal is turning into a course.)
Thank you all so very much for understanding. I love you very much. I know you are hurting, and I want to be there. I can be there on my normal coaching days, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,  the Monday evening and Thursday mornings for urgent sessions, and my Mornings With Jenn support group, 9 a.m. Pacific, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, (and my courses I’ll teach).

Outside of those times, I cannot hold your hands as I used to. Please take good care of yourself, and know that benzo withdrawal is just a season. We do heal. You will, in time. Keep going!
From my heart to yours,
Jenn