Writer in Progress

Normal Therapy

Context:

This is an assignment involving experimental writing in the form of a script. Lena is a therapist who treats people with different mental illnesses. Barbra is one of Lena's clients who suffers from crippling depression.

TRIGGERS: Self-harm/cutting

Submission:

Lena: Barbra, for today's session, I want to talk about your history of self-harm. Although we've brought it up in the past, it's good for us to analyze once more why you did it and how we can prevent any more incidents.

Barbra: Yeah, okay. That's fine with me. But after, we need to talk about the new season of "The Summer I Turned Pretty."

Lena: Haha, of course. If all goes well and we accomplish our goals, we can talk about it at the end of this meeting. *She flips her notepad, placing a pen on the page.* Let's go over how you felt after committing self-harm. Go as early as you can remember. I want you to describe your emotions and the things you did afterward. Did you continue living your life as normal, or did you open up to a friend?

Barbra: Well, I tried scanning my scars at Target's check-out. It didn't work. I was disappointed.

Lena: ...

Barbra: ...

Lena: That isn't funny, Barbra.

Barbra: I thought it was. *She laughs nervously.* The last time I did it was five years ago, and that was right before I moved out of my parent's house. I think I was afraid of them finding out because I don't remember telling anyone. I just covered them up and tried acting normal.

Lena: And how did that make you feel?

Barbra: Which part?

Lena: Pretending, I mean.

Barbra: I was used to faking in front of people. It wasn't out of the ordinary for me. I've always been weird. For Christ's sake, I'm about to talk about a Netflix show to my therapist. *She then says in a low whisper,* It IS an incredible series, though. You need to get on that as soon as you can.

Lena: *She scribbles something in her notebook.*

Barbra: What are you writing?

Lena: You use humor to cope with uncomfortable questions. *She looks up at her and clicks her pen close.* Now, answer me this: How did it make you feel?

Barbra: Ugh, fine. Like I said, I was used to it.

Lena: Barbra, just because someone is used to something does not necessarily mean it's a good thing. I'm asking a question regarding your emotions—how you felt. You told me about the situation, and I'm looking for how you reacted.

Barbra: *She goes quiet for a moment.* I don't remember. It was too long ago.

Lena: If you tell me, we can end this early, and I'll buy you any food you want—

Barbra: —I felt alone.

Lena: Now we're getting somewhere.