Session 4
Client enters with a serene smile. Therapist seems to be engrossed with reading something; doesn't look up.
Client sits on the chair and clears throat.
Client: uh hmm....
Therapist (looks up): Oh hello! Didn't see you coming. Was reading up about anxiety attacks. We can deal with that issue of yours today.
Client (hesitating): Um...before we start talking, I want to ask you how you are feeling.
Therapist: What happened to me?! I am absolutely fine as ever.
Client: Oh..
that's nice...but I felt our last session left you a little shaken up.
Therapist: That was because of you!
Client: Excuse me?
Therapist: Yeah...if you didn't have that panic attack, I wouldn't have felt that too.
Client purses lips and stares at the therapist.
Therapist: I
have never felt like that before. But looks like it's a professional hazard of
feeling for your clients. Ever heard of empaths?
Client: No. I haven't.
Therapist: Well...empaths are people who connect with people's emotions very naturally. So much so that they may actually start feeling the intensity of the emotion felt by the other person. So, I understand what you feel. When I feel too much of what you feel, then I may get affected by your feeling. Like it happened in the last session, I got affected by your feeling.
Client (gathering courage): But I thought you guys are trained to handle all this.
Therapist (slightly taken aback): We are trained to handle normal cases.
Client (continuing the point): Are you intending to say that I am not normal? Anyway, if anyone was normal, why the hell would they go to a therapist?
Therapist: This is what I have been saying about your issues. You take everything personally, looking at everything from only your point of view. Plus, why are you getting aggressive?
Client (justifying in a slightly annoyed tone): I didn't start this line of conversation. I was just asking how you are feeling today? Out of courtesy…If you are going to take it otherwise, I will never ask you this question again!!
Therapist (patronizing): Now look here…you are taking this too personally..calm down now.
Client (in a raised pitch): I AM CALM!
Therapist: Ok ok…take a deep breath…I will get you a hot chocolate. It will surely make you feel better…
Client (sighing): Whatever…
Therapist
exits the room to get some hot chocolate, returns with one mug. Client squirms
in his seat and is reminded of the second session, stares at the therapist –
not knowing what will happen next.
Therapist:
What?
Client: What?
Therapist: Why are you staring like that? Are you going to get an anxiety attack?
Client (shocked): What is WRONG with you? I am absolutely ok. I am just wondering if that cup of hot chocolate is for me.
Therapist: Of course…not…it is mine…If you want one, go get it.
Client: But you just said that you will get me a hot chocolate!
Therapist: Take responsibility of your own life…
Client (now thoroughly vexed): Hell with your hot chocolate!!! I don’t want it and I don’t want this session as well.
Client gets
up and walks out. Therapist leans back in the chair, takes a sip of the hot
chocolate and smiles.
Therapist: You will be back! I know it!
End of session 4.
