Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in Holodeck 2- Therapy in Unusual Places Day 1, Part 2

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Janna Kingston (CNS) in Holodeck 2- Therapy in Unusual Places Day 1, Part 2

Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in Holodeck 2- Therapy in Unusual Places Day 1, Part 2
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Janna’s grass-green eyes swept over Viyara and yes she could tell Nazeen was doing a lot better than before. “Alright, so a bit of homework. I want you to write down two lists that you can refer to later. The first one is a list of things you can do for self-care. I’m not talking luxury, though that’s fine too, but the things you can do for yourself when you need a bit of extra love and care. It could be a massage, soaking in a hot tub, extra sleep, exercise, a cup of herbal tea, a chat with a friend. Whatever those things are I also want you to write down what things you need in order to make them happen. Some will be easy, like food or drink. It’s just the replicator. But others will require timing or booking resources. Being aware of that will remind you of what you might need to have in place to help with the healing.”

“I can do that,” Viyara nodded, already thinking of a thing or two she’d put on that list.

“The second list is a list of things you can control. I know all this is hard Viyara and it’s easy to get caught up in the fact that I am keeping you here and I get to say how to things go. But what I want you to spend some time doing is writing a list of things you can control while you are here. It could be small things like what you choose to eat or drink, to larger thing like what you share with me or not. Write the list and keep it handy and when you feel overwhelmed, pull out the list and remind yourself of you are in control over. Aim for a minimum of five things.”

Viyara nodded again as she felt the discomfort creep back up on her. Slipping her hand into her pocket, she touched the tension ball with her fingertips and said, “Okay. I’ll do that.”

Looking out the kitchen window for a moment, Janna inhaled slowly before returning her gaze to Viyara. “Believe it or not, Viyara, you did it. You did the hardest part. You told me about the hard and painful things that happened to you.” She smiled widely. “And look, you’re still here and I’m still here caring. It’s not going to be easy and there will be moments when you feel it’s all too much, but it does it get easier from here. And for the record, I’m very proud of you.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Viyara couldn’t help but snort ever so softly as she slightly shook her head. Only for her expression to turn quickly apologetic. “I know you wouldn’t lie to me and still I find that hard to believe,” she mumbled confusedly, wondering how both of those things could feel true at the same time. They were polar opposites after all, were they not?

~Viyara Nazeen

Janna took a step closer and rested her hands on Nazeen’s shoulders, squeezing gently. “What do you feel? What is your head telling you you feel?”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Frowning slightly, Viyara pondered for a moment and then said, “I’m feeling confused and worried? You said that the hardest part is done when I told you about my past. But … I feel like … I don’t know. I don’t tell you any details. And I wonder if I shouldn’t have? If it might not be necessary to do that? That thought is scary and makes me doubt that the hardest part is really over.” She sighed and let her head fall backwards; staring at the ceiling.

~Viyara Nazeen

Holding the woman’s shoulders firmly, Janna smiled. “The hardest bit of sharing is done, but there’s still hard work ahead. And it won’t be easy, but it will be less scary, less harmful because you’ve taken this first step. Believe it or not, I don’t need to hear every excruciating detail of what your father, and others, did to you in order to help you find your way forward. But if you want to talk about any of it, absolutely, lay it on me. But like I said earlier, we don’t open any box we’re not certain we can close in our time together. Because that will only do more harm.”

Janna released her shoulders and grabbed Viyara’s hand holding it firmly instead to try to make the point she was going for. Shaking her hand slightly, she gave it a reassuring squeeze. “Your brain is taking in the sensations I am producing, classifying it and letting your cognitive process determine how you feel about it. Emotions are created by our brain, Viyara. And then we interpret them. And sometimes we get it wrong. Sometimes the interpretation doesn’t serve us. We lie to ourselves because the old pattern of interpretation is so entrenched in our life.” She let Viyara’s hand go.

“What we are doing here is bit by bit replacing the negative unhelpful thoughts with new ones that trigger different emotions. We’re going to re-train your brain so that its default state isn’t misery. And in time, you will make it become true. It’s a skill and like all skills, it takes time. And I know this is hard, but you need to be patient and gentle with yourself. Those are also skills that require practice. It doesn’t come naturally to everyone.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS