The "psycho"therapist - session 3

 

Scene 3: Session 3

Client is seen sitting in the reception of the psychotherapist's office; looks around nervously and then glances at the back of his right hand (remembering the last session).

Client also keeps glancing at the wrist watch and the door, probably contemplating skipping this session.

Door opens and the therapist waves to the client, smiling brilliantly.

Client (suddenly relieved): Good afternoon!

Therapist (almost mimicking the client's tone): Good afternoon to you too! Come in!
.
Client rises and walks into the therapy room.

Client (looking around): Something seems to have changed here.

Therapist (sounding pleased): Yes!!! Great observation! What is different, tell me?!

Client: The couch is gone and there is a chair in its place...and the wall clock is gone...and one of your pens is missing.

Therapist: Wow! Aren't you the one picking up details...! (sighing) The clock was broken by a really weird client.

Client: What happened?

Therapist: As therapists we are not allowed to share information about other clients but this one you must hear. It will help you understand how not taking responsibility affects a person.

Client looks down at his hand again, embarrassed and scared of the therapist, reminded of the previous session.

Therapist: I was talking to this client about how defensive she is and how she thinks that her boyfriend dumped her because he was an idiot. I pointed out that she has to take responsibility of how she would nag him and expect too much and then play the victim.

Client: Ohh! I got dumped quite recently as well.

Therapist stares at the client.

Client (feeling nervous): But I don’t think like the other client. I am accepting it.

Therapist smiles.

Therapist: That’s good. But we will talk about this in detail today and check whether you have really accepted it or not!

Client fidgets with the wrist watch.

Therapist notices the fidgeting and frowns.

Client stops fidgeting.

Therapist: Anyway, so I don’t know what happened to the client. She started yelling at me, saying I am the worst listener as a therapist, even worse than her friends. That I am judgmental and patronizing and I shouldn’t be in the profession.

This, by the way, is called projection. When a person can’t face their own faults, they find faults with others.

Client stares blankly…

Therapist: So, when I told her to stop projecting all her faults at me, I don’t know what got into her. She picked up the flower vase and threw it at the clock. Both broke. Oh and you forgot to point out that the flower vase was missing too…so you are not as good as picking up details as I thought.

What have you understood from this story?

Client: This was a story or it really happened?

Therapist (sighing): How does it matter? What did you understand is the bigger question?

Client: Well…I am not sure…She must be really hurting, I guess…

Therapist: This is the problem with you clients. Always wanting to play the victim and missing the main point of taking responsibility. I think we must repeat the exercise from last week.

Client (now reaching hysterics): NO doctor! I was just going to say that. One should take responsibility. I know I have started taking responsibility. I really have…I swear!!

Therapist: Hmmm…

Therapist: So, what do you want to talk about today?

Client: I don’t know. If you can ask me questions, it can get me started.

Therapist: ok…tell me about your relationship.

Client: I was in a relationship for 3 years. I had invested a lot in the relationship but it didn’t work out since my partner’s parents didn’t approve of us. I thought everything was fine till one fine day I was told about the engagement and the wedding after a month. I cried a lot that day but since then I haven’t cried at all. I do feel very anxious when I think about it though.

Therapist: What makes you anxious?

Client: The feeling that everything is out of my control, the loneliness, often the jealousy since most of my friends and relatives are well-settled and have a family of their own. Especially on the weekends, when people go out with their spouses and children. I feel really lonely. Sometimes, I feel that I don’t deserve to be loved or maybe I am a bad person.

Client starts crying; big, heavy tears rolling down the cheeks. The silent tears turn into sobs and then into wheezing cries. Suddenly, the client’s face turns pale. Gasping for breath, the client slops forward – an anxiety attack…

 

Therapist (almost hysterical): Hey! What’s happening? Are you okay? Are you not able to breathe?

Therapist (pacing across the room): Should I call the ambulance? Oh God! I hope you aren’t dying or something! What should I do now?  

Therapist is visibly agitated, pacing around the room, ranting.

Therapist: If something happens to this one right now, I will be in big trouble. Who knew this one had so much anxiety!

To client: You should have told me before only that you had this problem!!

Therapist now starts taking deep breaths. Client is gasping for breath too but now stares at the therapist. Therapist is sweating profusely; kneels over, still ranting. Client now slowly walks to the therapist and pats his back slowly.

Client (softly between gaps): Do you want some water?

Not waiting for a response, client goes out of the room; gets a glass of water. Offers it to the therapist. Therapist takes the glass of water.

 Client: Just sip it slowly. Don’t be in a hurry. Just relax. Breathe in and out deeply. Take a sip of water.

Client helps the therapist into a chair; rubs the therapist’s back gently; reassuring the therapist and offering sips of water. After a while, therapist seems relaxed now. Client walks out of the room again; returns with another glass; offers it to the therapist.

Therapist (surprised): What is this?

Client (smiling): Hot chocolate – sugar will help you feel better. It helps me!

Therapist: Thanks…but that’s not my mug. That is for my clients. You got the wrong mug.

Client (nervous): Oh sorry…I didn’t know. But have this, it will make you feel better.

Therapist takes it quietly.

Client (softly): So tell me, what’s happening?

Therapist: I have never faced a situation like this before. I thought something will happen to you.

Client: Yeah...intense situations like these do shake us up. Also, new situations create uncertainty. It’s understandable. And if you were concerned about me, that’s great empathy, right! It’s ok. Just take your time to relax.

You will be ok.

I will see you next week for the session. Maybe we can talk about this further.

 

Client leaves the room. Therapist is sipping the hot chocolate, still looking shaken.

 

End of scene 3.