Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Quentin “Q” Dawson (Chief Weapons Officer) in Lt. Dawson Therapy Session [Tag Lt. Kastarak]

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Kastarak (Doctor / Counsellor) in Lt. Dawson Therapy Session [Tag Lt. Kastarak]

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Quentin “Q” Dawson (Chief Weapons Officer) in Lt. Dawson Therapy Session [Tag Lt. Kastarak]
Dawson headed out of the turbo lift and made his way to Kastarak’s office. He hadn’t been there since his arrival on the Chernov for his psych eval. He was glad that his relationship with Kastarak had grown since then, as he hadn’t really started on the right foot with the Vulcan. But since then, they’d sparred, had meals and been on away teams together. He had started to open up to him and was getting Kas to open back up in return.

When he reached the door to the counselor’s office, he paused a moment noticing the fingers on his right hand were jittering. Q swallowed, thinking better get that under control before taking a deep breath and forcing his fingers to remain still. He knew that it was alright to be nervous. Expected even, given the captain’s news about Clarissa. And yet, he still couldn’t fight his upbringing, the strict control he was expected to have over his emotions. They called it control, but it was really suppression. He knew it was unhealthy and that he shouldn’t fight it, but he couldn’t always stop himself.

His fingers still, his body back under control, he rang the door chime. The mind commands the body and it obeys. The mind orders itself and meets resistance. Dawson knew all too well how true that was.

Lt. Q Dawson

Kastarak had just finished a difficult session over distance – it was a crewman on the Chernov who had relationship problems back home, and the three of them met over a type of video call. It was clear the parties suffered from the separation from one another, but, at the same time, they both appeared unwilling to actually try see matters from the point of view of the other.

After finishing up his notes, Kastarak indicated in the schedule that he was now available for drop-in sessions. Moments later, the door chimed, and there was Mr Dawson.

“Hello, Mr Dawson,” Kastarak said, “please, come in.”

He was not sure why Dawson had come – perhaps Dawson wished to small-talk, or perhaps he wished something else. In any case, Kastarak did not wish to presume anything, but invited the guest in.

Kastarak sought to remember the psych eval with Dawson, and what had transpired there. Dawson’s sister had died, and her death had been a defining event for Dawson, and it affected his relationship with his parents. Dawson had been in therapy for over a decade due to this trauma and how it had nested itself into the many parts of his life and functioning. When Dawson came to the ship, he was at more peace than before, but he still had “his days” (as it were), and a sensitivity to emotion, beyond that of the average human. So what did bring Dawson in here today?

Kastarak gestured to the armchairs by the windows, inviting Dawson to sit there.

– Lt jg Kastarak (counsellor / physician)

Dawson entered and smiled at Kastarak, “Hello.” He said taking the seat offered him. He swallowed and looked about Kastarak’s office, trying to think about where to start. He had been developing a rapport with the counselor but, not in a professional sense. He didn’t really know how Kastarak usually conducted his sessions and he was apprehensive to start on his own.
“I hope I haven’t caught you at a bad time,” Dawson said, “I saw your schedule was open for walk-ins and thought I would see if I could catch you. But perhaps I should have made an official appointment.” He began to look around the room, feeling awkward. In his chest, he felt not quite a tightness, but an aversion. Just an overwhelming urge to not be here right now. He knew this feeling. It would creep up on him from time to time. Anxiety that, were he not careful, could turn to anger.

-Dawson

Kastarak listened. It seemed like Dawson felt guilty for dropping in, despite it was a scheduled drop-in hour. Was he thinking that he was taking up someone else’s time, someone who might need it better? Kastarak decided to keep that thought in mind, perhaps he would have to return to it later. Kastarak sensed a heightened emotional state within his patient, and hoped he might be able to understand why.

“All is well, Mr Dawson. We have time,” Kastarak tried to reassure Dawson.

“What brings you here today? What would you like to talk about?”

– Kastarak