Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in Holosuite 3 - Therapy In Unusual Places

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Janna Kingston (CNS) in Holosuite 3 - Therapy In Unusual Places

Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in Holosuite 3 - Therapy In Unusual Places
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“You know, there’s a lot to be said for creatures that can’t talk back,” Janna said with a wink.

“That’s very true,” Viyara laughed.

“What else? What about the rest of your homework? Any self-harm or even thoughts about it?” Kingston asked.

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Did she want to admit it? No, but she knew that it was in her own best interest to be honest with Janna. So with her head slightly bowed, she admitted, “Yes … I … after I left the lounge I thought about what to do. I was pretty upset. I didn’t want to hurt myself, but I was very much tempted to go to the holodeck. And If I hadn’t tried to get away form the lounge, I may have asked Marishka for another one of her really strong drinks. But I went to the lab instead. Though on my way I did dig my nails into my arms without meaning to.” A wave of guilt and shame washed over her and she wrapped her arms tightly around her middle.

~Viyara Nazeen

Janna sped up and skipped down a couple steps and put a hand on Viyara’s shoulder to stop her. “Hey, look at me.”

Stopping in her tracks, Viyara slowly turned her head and met Janna’s gaze. Uncertainty and everything else she was feeling written fairly plainly all over her face.

“It’s not about getting it right. It’s not about perfection,” Kingston said adamantly. “What we’re working on right now is just learning to recognize it for what it is. Awareness comes first. Then we can find more alternate ways to handle those intense moments.” She held a thumb up. “Step one: recognition.” She held her index finger up beside her thumb. “Step two: intervention.” She added her middle finger. “Step three: Replacement.” Janna offered her a smile. “You got this.”

“Okay,” Viyara replied softly, wishing she could fully believe that she’d be okay and that she could be gentler with herself.

Gesturing with her head for them to keep going, Janna began walking again. “At this point do you have any questions. I know you’ve had a lot thrown at you, but I want to make sure everything feels clear, or if you have other things you want to bring up I want you to feel free to do so.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Viyara started to shake her head as she continued walking, but then said hesitantly, “I know you said sitting with my discomfort is good and important, but … can you tell me when you think you’ll want me to talk about … you know … my past? It’s just … I feel like I’m … I don’t know … constantly on high alert? Always expecting your next question to be about my past. It’s not a good feeling.” With her shoulders pulled slightly, she suddenly felt herself shiver slightly. So she hugged herself a little tighter still.

~Viyara Nazeen

Janna couldn’t help but smile a tiny bit. She could make all the assumptions based on the evidence presented but at the end of the day Viyara had to be ready. “Rule number one of therapy beyond all the confidentiality and ethical stuff is to never open something with your patient you’re not able to deal with and close in a reasonable way with your patient. I haven’t gone there because I wasn’t sure we could do that safely. As much as you are willing to take these enormous leaps with me, Viyara, I have been uncertain you could handle going there if I prompted it. But it’s different if you’re bringing it up. So… are you ready to go there? If so, we can go sit ourselves on those columns down there where the giant trampled and get started. But if not, then we keep walking and talking. We will discuss it, absolutely. But we have some leeway here about the how and when of it. And also remember that ready, doesn’t mean comfortable or fun. “

~Janna Kingston, CNS