Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade T’Mor (Chief Science Officer) in Counselor’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Talyn Kree (Chief Counseling Officer) in Counselor’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Talyn Kree (Chief Counseling Officer) in Counselor’s Office
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Talyn sat in one of the overstuffed chairs in her office, feet propped up on the coffee table. She had a couple of hours with no appointments so she was settled in to read the latest edition of Psychology Today. It wasn’t difficult to stay current with what was happening in her field, but she had to make time for all the reading that was involved. Taking a sip from the fresh mug of coffee in her right hand, Talyn eagerly dug into “When your patient believes they are mortally contaminated with parasites”.

Kree, CNS

T’Mor stood outside the counselor’s officer, her hand hovering just out of reach of the chime. This was a drastic measure, her coming of her own free will, and not even bothering to make an appointment. She pulled her hand back at the thought, perhaps she should make an appointment, and see the counselor later. Much later, like maybe in a few weeks…

No, she externalized the thought by shaking her head slightly. This needed to be taken care of. So, T’Mor pushed forward and rang the chime.

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Counselor Kree was just rising from her chair when the chime sounded. Her vision swiveled to the door as she wondered who her visitor was. She continued to the replicator for a refill of the creamy, coffee while calling out, “Come in.”

As the blue lights of the replicator danced, the doors to the corridor parted and she saw Lt T’Mor standing there.

—Kree, CNS

T’Mor stood tall in the doorway, as tall as she could at 5’4”. Her hands were clasped behind her in a dignified sort of pose as she stepped into the room. T’Mor waited until the door closed completely before speaking,

“Counselor Kree, I require your assistance. I am very upset, and I have been unable to control it.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Seeing the agitation of the Lt, Talyn was quick to react. “Well, it just so happens I don’t have an appt for another hour so we’re in luck. May I get you something from the replicator? Tea, perhaps?” As the comforting offer was made, she took a hard look at T’Mor. Micro-expressions could tell a trained observer a lot and the officer’s face left no doubt to the counselor.

“Please come in and have a seat. What has you so anxious?”

—Kree, CNS

T’Mor nodded and took a seat. She would normally appreciate a cup of tea, but she could stand the idea of anything in her stomach right now. She sat of the edge of the chair, legs crossed and hands in her lap.

“It appears I have made an error in my judgement Counselor,” she said calmly, eyes drifting up from the floor, “I falsely concluded that my recent promotion would have solved a dispute between me and my family remaining on Vulcan. It appears, however, that it not the case.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

The counselor sat across from T’Mor. “What kind of a dispute are we talking about?” It wasn’t unusual to have someone want to work out a problem with family, but the involved parties usually lived on the ship with the officer. Vulcans didn’t normally bring issues to a ship’s counselor, but there was one sitting three feet in front of her and she was going to do what she could to help.

—Kree, CNS

“I do not see how that is relevant,” T’Mor said, straightening up, “My issue is my own feelings, in that I am unable to control them.” She paused, realizing how defensive that must have sounded.

“Apologies Counselor. I should not be the one to say what is or is not relevant in this case.” after a pause she continued,

“As you know, I was only recently promoted. I received what I would characterize as ‘positive feedback’ from my colleagues, as well as my husband. My mother and sister however, have yet to respond. It is possible they have simply not received the communication but…” T’Mor left that thought hung in the air, afraid of pressing further.

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Being trained to listen, Talyn didn’t respond to T’Mor’s immediate barking about the counselor having the wrong idea, and was rewarded with an apology. “It’s possible your mother and sister haven’t had word about your promotion yet, of course, but it’s unlikely. Did you try sending the communique again? And how is your relationship with them?”

—Kree, CNS

“I…”

T’Mor struggled to find the words, she was already showing a great amount of vulnerability but still felt even now the need to pull back. “We do not have a relationship. Not since I left. I was… expecting this to change when I told them.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

It seemed the Lt needed to do some informative and emotional unpacking. “What happened right before you left? And where did you leave them?” Kree was very aware and more than a little curious as to why the Vulcan officer was displaying emotions not often seen in her species. The counselor would have to be careful she didn’t inspire the science officer into any physical displays of anger or irritation. Vulcans were very strong, so keeping herself calm and open would hopefully keep T’Mor in line.

—Kree, CNS

“If you are referring to the first time I left Vulcan,” she said, attempting to regain control,

“I don’t know what I’m referring to. You said ‘we do not have a relationship. Not since I left.’ ” Talyn looked at the Vulcan thoughtfully. “Never mind, continue, please.”

“My sister had been chosen over me to attend the Vulcan Science Academy. She left home shortly after, and my mother recommended I find my place somewhere else. I was, according to her, not suited for…” T’Mor shrunk back more in her seat, clasping her hands together so tight her knuckles were pale.

“I try to follow the teachings of Surak. I believe it is possible for me to master my emotions, to follow logic and reason. That is precisely why I do not wish to continue to have these feelings.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer

So, T’Mor was an unusual Vulcan because she had feelings and emotions. “Vulcans who haven’t gone through Kolinahr have emotions, but there’s a buffer in place that first uses logic, reason and intellect to analyze the emotion before reacting or responding. The goal for your species is to internally acknowledge the emotion that has been elicited, dispassionately look at the reasons and decide what response makes the most sense. Have you been through Kolinahr? How many times?”

—Kree, CNS

“I had attempted to do so once,” T’Mor continued, “It was recommended I attempt to complete the Kolinahr ritual by several of my tutors. Even though I was very young at the time, they assured my parents it would help. I was… seventeen, I believe.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

“You attempted it? What does that mean exactly?” Why wasn’t T’Mor giving her more information instead of making her pull every detail out of her? Kree made a mental note to follow up the science officers’ appointment with a few questions to her co-workers.

—Kree, CNS

“I was not progressing as expected,” T’Mor started to explain, looking down to the floor with the slightest hint on embarrassment. “So my parents, my mother, consulted with my tutors to find another alternative solution. So I was unable to complete Kolinahr.”

T’Mor looked up at the counselor. This had not helped. Now on top of everything else she was ashamed to have to explain her difficulties, past and current. Leaving herself open to judgement once again. She should have just kept this to herself.

“May we please go back to discussing what I can do about these current emotions.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Kree took in a deep breath and began to explain. “In order to help you get your emotions under control, I need to know which emotions are giving you trouble and I need to know how they are interfering with your daily life.” She crossed one leg over the other and settled more deeply into the chair. “What practices have you attempted in the past to help curb these feelings?”

—Kree, CNS

T’Mor repositioned herself as well, pressing her palms of her hands into the chair. For a moment, she might have been attempting to leave. But after a deep breath, she settled back down and continued,

“In the past, I’ve been able to function by relying on various meditation techniques. It is difficult, as many are more effective when preformed with others. And as I explained I never completed Kolinahr, so I never fully mastered the techniques either.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Talyn thought for a moment. “Are the meditations you use still effective?” This was a difficult problem, or at least, it could be if the emotions got out of hand. “What about the option of returning to Vulcan for more training or to complete the Kohlinahr?” That would surely fix the difficulties she was having, right?

—Kree, CNS

“Why would I-?”

T’Mor stopped herself halfway through the escaping thought. Her heart began to pound a little harder. Her breathing a little faster. She shot up from her seat and turned away from the counselor.

“I - I have to go,” she said, but instead she just stood there.

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Talyn rose from her chair too, she sensed the Lt’s urge to escape the room. “It’s alright, you don’t have to run away. There are no right or wrong answers here—my job is all about feelings so I’d be the last person to think less of you for having emotions. I understand you’d rather not have them but I’m not sure what you hope I can do for you. Why don’t you sit back down and tell me?” She couldn’t just erase what T’Mor was experiencing, and if she wanted to finish the Kolhinar there were facilities on Vulcan to help her. The problems with her mother and sister were something else, perhaps, but it stemmed from the same issue—emotions.

—Kree, CNS

“I do not believe going back to Vulcan is a viable option. It would interrupt my career.”

She turned around, approaching the counselor again. Slowly but stopping just behind the chair.

“I have been very successful serving in Star Fleet, more successful than I could have ever been had I stayed on Vulcan. I have no desire to return, even to complete Kolhinar,” she paused, an obvious flutter of anxiety shifting through her. Yet she had to remain calm,

“I was there recently, taking a leave of absence because of my father’s death. It was not a… beneficial experience, for me. I was reminded how difficult it was.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Talyn was still not clear on what T’Mor wanted. “Perhaps we should begin again? You are having difficulty with your emotions and you want me to help you, right? I’m not clear on how I can do that better than the the perfect teams on Vulcan which you refuse to use. I need you to expand on your thoughts here.”

—Kree, CNS

“Then, allow me to attempt to try and explain it logically,” she said, mustering the strength to remain calm, “It would be unreasonable to expect someone to waste valuable time and energy pursuing something impossible. There is no scenario I can imagine, should I return to Vulcan, that I will be successful in completely ridding myself of emotions I have struggled to control my entire life. However, as I stated previously, I have proven to be a successful officer, have I not?”

There was a hint of contention in that question. She took another deep breath, loosening up,

Listening to the tone of her voice, Talyn could hear T’Mor was irritated with her.

“Therefore, it would be a better use of time and energy to continue in my current position, rather than waste it attempting something that has both not worked in the past, and that might in fact be impossible.”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Kree was silent for a moment as she regarded the woman across from her. Finally, taking a deep breath, she began. “I understand what you want. What I’m saying to you is that I am not the one to lead you on this path you’ve chosen. Emotions are my ‘bread and butter’, so to speak. My job is to help others come to grips with their emotions or worries. Counseling is not the practice of deleting feelings—it’s the practice of teaching someone to live with them.” She stayed quiet then, waiting for the science officer to digest what she’d said.

—Kree, CNS

T’Mor’s face turned a shade greener. It was hard to tell what exactly caused it, as her expression remained stoic.

“Then, how am I supposed to deal with them?” she said, “If you can’t help me get rid of them, what can you do?”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

Looking down at her hands folded in her lap, Talyn understood what T’Mor was asking. The problem was, she didn’t have a good answer for the science officer. Finally, looking up into the eyes of her patient, she offered the only option she could see. “There is something called ‘aversion therapy’, also another called ‘desensitization therapy’. They aren’t used to delete your emotions, but they might be used to help you control the emotions you experience.” She had no idea if it would work, but it all she had at the moment.

—Kree, CNS

bump

“I would be willing to consider it…” T’Mor said, glancing away timidly, “What would I have to do?”

|Lt., j.g. T’Mor,
Chief Science Officer|

“All that is required, is for you to spend time being exposed to things that make you feel the emotions you’re trying to deal with. The longer you experience that emotion, you teach yourself how not to react in the first place.” At least that was the easy explanation.

—Kree, CNS