Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in Side-Sim: When thoughts meet feelings

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Zaril Dovek (Communications Officer) in Side-Sim: When thoughts meet feelings

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Leah Hart (Nurse Practitioner/Counseling) in Side-Sim: When thoughts meet feelings
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Zaril knocked on the door for the next session unsure if they were meeting today. He was still trying to find his place on the ship, but looked forward to the sessions, someone to listen who, was not trying to make him be something he was not. He hoped she was ok today, the woman had been going through so much. He found a peach in him and extended it out around him.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zaril Dovek
Communication Officer U.S.S Sentinel

Fro within the office, the soft knock made Leah smile. A knock rather than a more obtrusive chiming told her he was mindful of the occupant’s situation.She rose from her usual chair and tapped the door button. It slid open with its usual whoosh and Leah smiled at Zaril, she stepped to the side and gestured for him to enter.

“Good day, Zaril. How are you doing?” she asked, moving back to her chair and settling into the seat, draping her arm across her lap and crossing her legs at the knee as she leaned back.

~Leah Hart, NP

He smiled broadly and lowered his head slightly. ” im doing well Leah.” He said moving around to the seat across from her. “How are you? ” he asked he wanted to know how is friend wasm

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zaril Dovek
Communication Officer U.S.S Sentinel

She drew in a deep breath that visibly moved her shoulders. “I am doing as well as I can. I at least slept okay last night. Thankfully.” Leah paused and flicked her gaze to teh side for a brief moment before she looked at Zaril again. “And thank you once again for yesterday. I know it’s okay to not be okay, but I also am trying to keep putting one foot in front of the other, so I appreciate your comfort and concern. I wanted to say that before we move on to other things.” She had no intention of dwelling on the situation she found herself in currently and hopefuly he’d pick that up.

~Leah Hart, NP

He smiled warmly and gave a slight nod, “It is, I’m her after sessions if you need a friend” he said then changing the subject. “So what’s on the schedule for our session?” he asked

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zaril Dovek
Communication Officer U.S.S Sentinel

Focusing on him and their work together was a welcome distraction. “So, your first challenge was to engage in a social situation and see what happened. That went well and now you have a new connection, yes? So, what do you feel might be the next step you could take as a challenge?” Leah wanted to get him thinking about what he needed and wanted first, before she chimed in with her thoughts.

~Leah Hart, NP

Zaril looked at her a little confused. “Im not really sure, ” he said, “Im not entirely sure what i’m missing in my social skills” he shifted a little nerviously. He missed his love, and did not know how to expressing it without killing his crew mates emotionally.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zaril Dovek
Communication Officer U.S.S Sentinel

Leah was quiet for a moment. “Well, baby steps I think are the best way to go. We’re not going to jump from one conversation and hanging out, to sharing all the deepest things inside of us. Nor is it a good idea to do so with people you just meet. You have to build rapport with them, trust. So, you had one positive social engagement. Let’s use that momentum. Are there others you can do something social with? Maybe a group activity? That way the focus won’t be on you alone .”

~Leah Hart, NP

He shrugged, “Probably? but I don’t have any group activities that I enjoy, I suppose if I was invited I would enjoy it but I don’t like inviting myself into others lives.” he said thinking for a moment. “Do you have anyideas?” he asked

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zaril Dovek
Communication Officer U.S.S Sentinel

Leah gazed at him for a moment. “Do you see how that might be a self-fulfilling prophecy? You don’t want to impose on others, so you keep yourself away from them and opportunities to socialize in different ways. But then you’re waiting to be invited to something people don’t even know you want to be invited to.”

~Leah Hart, NP

He shrugged, “Maybe?” he noted. “In my culture if someone wants you to participate in an event or gathering, they will ask you, its not something that is easy for me to turn off. ” he note looking down. “It feals very wrong to me”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zaril Dovek
Communication Officer U.S.S Sentinel

She nodded slowly. This was tricky. There was a balance between honouring one’s culture and being g open to the diversity around you. Being open to it allowed you to allow it to influence you. Some viewed as giving up on your own culture but Leah disagreed. “It’s not about setting aside your culture, Zaril. But you’re not new in Starfleet. And expecting everyone to know and understand that cultural nuance might be asking too much. Sometimes we have to be willing to teach others about the mores that guide and shape us.”

“What if you were to mention to people you work with and those your are meeting that Deltans just ask each other to participate in social events automatically, so if they are doing something you are open to the invite? Would that be a reasonable compromise?”

~Leah Hart, NP

Zaril shrugged, it was not something he was comfortable doing, if he forced himself into someone else plans, he would know that they did not really want him there. “I guess it’s if they don’t really want me there, then I will know it and it becomes unbearably uncomfortable for everyone. ” he noted. “I don’t feel like it’s a good idea.” he suggested.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Zaril Dovek
Communication Officer U.S.S Sentinel