Posted by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Executive Officer) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Counselor) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Executive Officer) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office

(snip)

Bethany to snorted in disgust. “Of course the Federation does. And it has Always been the Dresden that faces these things. She has a strong battle weary past. She needs a strong crew. Those that serve deserve the best we can give them when they, not us, decide they are done. The government is there for the will of the people. If it can’t do that then it is up to the people to make the change. Neither,” Bethany looked him in the eye, “the individual. It doesn’t matter if that person was an officer, enlisted, marine, or civilian. They ALL come first. The person behind the uniform comes first.”
Lt. Hadi, CNS

Renveer breathed out slowly in relief. Some common ground that he could work with, that was good. “Alright,” he said with an energy that was quickly deflating from his challenging stance a moment before, “I’m glad to hear that we are on the same page about that. Whatever our disagreements or differences in perspectives, if we can keep in mind our commitment to that principle, I think we will compliment each other, rather than cause confusion among the crew if we were to approach our roles from opposite angles.”

Bethany nodded, “I would hope that would be the case, Cmdr. I’m a counselor first and foremost. I would hope our differences in approach would compliment each other. Allow us to collaborate and consult, not make divisions. It is important to me that we can work seamlessly, or attempt. The crew won’t benefit if they don’t know if they can trust us because we can’t trust each other.” For Bethany, that would be a tragedy to great to contemplate.

Renveer gave a nervous chuckle as he returned to his typical temperament. “I apologize, Lieutenant. I didn’t intend to ambush you like that. But handing over the reigns to someone I’ve never met and haven’t personally vetted is… unsettling. If you would like to share anything about yourself to help sooth my nerves, it would be appreciated.” He said the last bit with a bashful, apologetic smile.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

“Feel free to vet me, Cmdr. It’s a moot point, command sent me here, but if it would make you feel better.” It was said more because she wanted Renveer to know she understood. She’d feel the same about her own patients if someone unknown came in to take over their care. “I understand and would feel the same in your position.” She considered his question. Something to soothe his nerves. She was pretty sure nothing in her service record would do that. Not that there was anything horrible in it, but it would reiterate that she was not just a counselor. And he probably meant something a little more personal. “I got my very first pet before I left to come on board. Being only half Betazoid, I don’t have quite as much trouble as a full Betazoid dealing with the instincts of animals. I got a Mini Rex, a dwarf rabbit. It’s a light grayish brown, called lilac. And only about this big.” She holds up her hands showing a size that is about a palm and half in length. She smiles, looking much more relaxed a bit younger than she had a few moments ago in all the seriousness. “I named her Luna. She’s quite personable, as far as small delicate animals go. She likes to get in my lap.” She decided she might want to stop. She was a bit taken with her new pet and had drove Jake batty talking about her non stop while she had visited. It had been his idea though, so he deserved it. “I also love old movies. What else would you like to know?”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer smiled thankfully as his heart melted at the mention of the rabbit. “She sounds wonderful,” he said in a sincere tone. He was in fact starting to light back up, but in a good way this time. “I actually also adopted a pet while we were docked at Starbase 1! A Schnauzer dog named Wilson. He’s been adapting well to the ship, but he gets lonely some days so occasionally I’ll bring him with me to the office. Not sure he quite counts as a therapy dog, but he has a calming presence I’d say. Also a lap dog.”

“The breeder I got her from had dogs. Luna’s used to them. The breeder’s Labrador would get in the pens with them and lie down and let the rabbits jump all over him. Maybe Wilson wouldn’t mind a tiny rabbit for a friend.” Bethany thought the idea of a dog and rabbit playing together was comical, but she’d seen it for herself so she knew it happened. “Of course Wilson might want her for supper,” she grinned at her own joke.

The executive officer shook his head at her question. “I find that people describe themselves best when they have no prompts or direct questions. I would have never thought to ask you about if you had any pets, for example. So anything else you would like to share is appreciated. Otherwise, I’m sure all I need to know is in your fill or I will come to know about you in time. Like you said, command sent you, so it’s not as if I’m concerned about something in specific.”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

“Well then, as well as introducing myself to you, I’m also here for my psych on boarding eval.” Bethany sat back looking thoughtful. “I grew up on the stories of those who came to rescue us from the Dominion. I as 7 in 2374. There was quite a bit of hero worship in my mind for those Star Fleet officers who snuck planet side and helped us over throw them. I idolized the older children and adults who infiltrated our villages and helped other escape. I wanted to do that when I grew up. Go in and rescue those who weren’t able to do it on their own. It was all very fanciful in my head.” Her smile is soft, obviously remembering something very childlike in her memory. “I wanted to work as an intel officer on a ship. But I got to the Academy and found out that Intelligence is not a fairy tale. But I wanted to help people, and I have a knack for observing and understanding people, so I went into psychiatry.” There is a look to her face that tells she isn’t happy with what she found when she graduated.
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer raised an eyebrow slightly in amusement. “I appreciate the diligence with adhering to protocol, counselor. But I would like to believe that Intelligence has kept a close eye on your mental health, and I didn’t have any reason to be concerned that you had a psychotic break in transit to the Dresden.” More of his humorous teasing, which he hoped was a little more clear this time. “But thank you for giving me some insight into your values. And I’m thankful that Starfleet was able to help you and your people in your time of need.”

Gadi had mentioned psychiatry again. Renveer was a psychologist by trade, and psychiatrists and psychologists had some fundamental differences, in his experience. Both were important, of course. But he did want to ask for clarification. “You mentioned that your education is primarily in psychiatry. Do you plan on working closely with Lieutenant Janvier when medication is necessary?”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Bethany nodded, “It is, though originally I went in just for psychology. But I choose my electives to supplement and support that degree and by the end I took the extra classes to get both, psychology and psychiatry. And that would be my goal. I prefer to write a prescription for the type of medication needed, and then let the doctor decide what the best fit is for the patient’s,” she stops and smiles softly, “crewman’s?” she asks trying to find a happy medium of what term to use to make Renveer comfortable. “Each person’s individual medical needs. I could look it up and make my own choice, but I’m not a medical doctor and medicines have side effects. But medicine is my last choice for treatment, so hopefully there won’t be too much of that. If it came down to it, I could make that decision, but I would rather not.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS