A Meeting with a Psychiatrist Who Changed My Life – 2026/6/15 (Mon) R8

Today, I found myself thinking about a psychiatrist who had a profound impact on my life.

I remembered a book he had written during his years working in a juvenile correctional facility, titled "The Atonement of Young Offenders," and felt a desire to read it again after many years. I looked into local libraries, only to discover that they were closed because it was Monday.

I was under this doctor's care for a long time.

He was the kind of physician who took time to listen carefully to each patient. In today's medical environment, efficiency is often emphasized, but he always seemed to value truly facing the person sitting in front of him.

When I transferred to another hospital, the doctor there was surprised after reading the referral letter.

"I've never seen a referral letter like this before."

That was what he told me.

Apparently, it contained not only medical information and prescriptions, but also details about my background, personal history, and life circumstances.

I never actually read the letter myself, but hearing that comment made me realize how much thought and care had gone into it over the years of treatment.

What remains especially vivid in my memory was our final appointment.

I had expected a more emotional farewell, but the doctor simply said,

"Today is our last session."

There was nothing dramatic about it.

At the time, I felt a little lonely. Looking back, however, I think everything had already been prepared in his mind. The transition was complete, and it was time for me to move forward.

I learned many things from him.

Perhaps the most important was the value of looking at myself objectively.

Rather than being guided only by emotions, he taught me to step back and observe my own condition with a wider perspective.

When I reflect on it now, I realize that this way of thinking gradually became part of me through the years of treatment.

In life, there are certain people we never forget.

For me, he was one of those people.

Hashtags

#MeetingAPsychiatrist
#LifeMentor
#TheAtonementOfYoungOffenders
#Reflection
#ReadingInspiration
#LifeInMatsuyama
#DailyJournal
#Gratitude
#PeopleWhoChangedMyLife