Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade James Rowe (Scientist) in Breathing Room
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A light laugh slipped out as Janna stepped in. “Oh, I wouldn’t be concerned. To be honest, I’m happy to make visits when necessary but many people get weirded out. In your case, I just felt that assessing your space and making it as healing as possible could help with your overall wellbeing.” She was dressed in her uniform specifically to maintain that professionalism, given this was not strictly a social call. “That being said, it’s goof for us to get know each other better, so that I can help you where you need it.”

“And please, feel free to call me Janna. I’ve never been a formal person and in my practice I only do so if the other person needs it in order to have the conversation.”

She gestured to the space. “So, give me the tour as it were. But show me about your daily routines and any adjustments you’ve already made to help thing.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Rowe nodded as Janna explained her process. “Alright Janna, grand tour it is.” He said sarcastically about the spartan space that made up his home.

Indicating first to the corner where the yoga mat, lacrosse ball, and workout clothing sat neatly Rowe said, “Most every day starts in this area. Obviously heavier lifting takes place in the gym or holodeck… but I’ve found that the ‘machinery’ complains a whole lot less when I prime the engine first.”

Turning where he stood given the confines of junior officer housing, James indicated the desk and the assorted padds. “Work, personal research projects, and leisure reading are confined to that area. I don’t bring a ton of work home because I like to have defined spaces… but it does happen from time to time.”

Finally Rowe indicates the viewport, “Honestly that’s my favorite feature of this space, and I find myself lost in its majesty more than I’d care to admit.”

James didn’t mention the framed picture, the bedding, or the empty glass… he wasn’t sure he was ready for those conversations yet.

• Rowe

Yes, the space wasn’t large, but Janna took her time taking in the details. It wasn’t that she was looking for anything in particular, but rather she was trying to get a sense of his priorities in this space and see what mattered to him. This would help them find the best way to create a comfort nook that could help regulate his nervous system.

Kingston turned and gazed at the stars, breaking into a smile. “One of my favorite view as well. Never be ashamed to find yourself in awe. It’s a good thing.”

Focusing on James. “If we could create that safe and calming space, even if it’s different than you have had before, would you want it contained and tucked away, or would you want it to include the view? Or something else even.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

James thought for a long moment before speaking. “My initial impression is that the view would be nice…” but his voice trailed off as another thought occurred to him. “That’s wrong.” He said before pausing momentarily to think more.

“As I think about the function of the closet space I used planet-side… when my system was overwhelmed, it was dark… quiet… limited visual stimuli. I don’t know that the view gives my brain the absence necessary to check out.” Rowe shifted his weight from one foot to the other mirroring the uncertainty he was feeling.

He remained quiet as he thought through her question more meaningfully.

• Rowe

She nodded slowly before she turned her gaze in his direction. Janna didn’t need to be able to feel his unease to see it, but she could and offered him a soft smile. “It’s okay if we try something and it doesn’t work. Knowing what you might not want is sometimes just as useful as knowing what you do want. So, how about we consider this a little experiment. We’ll tweak a variable here and there until you find something that works for you, yes?”

She moved over to a corner and stood in front of it, considering their options. “In the space we create, would you just want to rest there, or would you use the space for other things like reading?”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Rowe took two slow strides to cover the distance to his desk, settling against the edge with his arms folded across his chest as he looked toward the corner Janna had chosen. He considered the question longer than felt appropriate. His first instinct had been to say ‘rest’, but the word felt uncomfortably close to ‘idle’.

“I don’t see myself reading there. I already have a space for that.” He spoke as much for his own benefit as the counselor’s. “I think what I’m really looking for is a place to recover.”

‘Recover’… The word hung in the air longer than he’d intended. He turned it over in his mind for a moment, realizing he hadn’t chosen it consciously. Somehow it simply fit his experience better than ‘rest’ ever had.

• Rowe

Janna nodded. She understood that need, and she certainly had worked with many people who had had to find their own version of recovery, just like Rowe. She gave him a lopsided smile and promptly sat on the floor cross legged, but she had left the space directly in the corner free and was sitting just to the left of it. She patted the floor. “Come, have a seat. Let’s pretend this corner will be that recovery space and see what it might need in order to make that happen for you. Tell me what variables you’re trying to block out specifically.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS