On The Couch

First Session

The day began like any other. He   arrived at the office  early, giving himself time to  look over all his clients  profiles  he would   be counseling that day.  One man  slightl;y schizophrenic with social anxiety, a mom dealing  with  post-partum depression, a soldier from  Iraq war  dealing  with  depression and  readjusating to   life  back  home.  Each  one offered a different challenge to him, making him wonder just what he   expected when he first decided to  pursue being a psychologist.

He heard a door open   outside his office and knew it was his  secretary  Raquel. He was so fortunate to have found her  amongst all the applicants  when  he began his search for a secretary. She was a lil firecracker-5'3  long    blach hair with   a perm,body like Shakira and the  cutest little feet.   He had to smile to himself that  she   was so friendly and  sweet,  she   had no problem with a lil  fun flirting which made her  even   a better fit  as his   secretary. 

*Hola  bossman*    Raquel  called out as she    arranged her desk  preparing for the first client to arrive.  She always   had on  a very  fragrant perfume as well, not too overpowering   but   giving off a   generous scent that added to the ambience of his  office. 

*Another day another crazy    he  replied, always liking to make her giggle a lil bit. He was a true professional but he also  definitely   appreciated   a fine lady and Raquel sure was. Plus she was   enjoyable eye candy   all day to help   lift his spirits when the  problems of his  counselees  got overpowering.

*Lucky day today  Bruce     brand new  client      first session    new blood for you haha*   Raquel l said with a  lil  smile. She   had fun meeting  all the different  clients who  came to see him, she always made sure to make them feel at ease  and  relaxed   upon   coming in for the first time.

Bruce        he never  was sure    why his parents chose that name.  Did they  like Batman??   Hmmmmm  his favorite color was green. He resisted the temptation to put a  giant poster of the Hulk on his inner closet door. He knew it  could weird out some of his patients. Most psychologists  did have  fantasies  of themselves as superheroes  though,   rescuing their clients from whatever  problems  life   was causing them.   In order to handle  a job like this   you almost HAD to imagine yourself with  super powers he  said to himself.

BUzzzzzzzzzzz    *your 11:00 is  here Bruce*   Raquel   said over the intercom.  He     quickly   had  the file in  his  hand  and was ready   to meet her. He always   felt a lil nervous    in very first sessions with  new clients.  Kind of like stage fright.  

The door opened  as he was sitting in his  black swivel chair. He knew as soon as he saw her there was something u nique about this  girl.  She  was a ginger    very pale skin with freckles,   very curvaceous body and the most  gleaming green eyes  he had ever seen, Her dress was   very condudcive  to her figure  and she  wore stilettoes. This was going  to   be quite a  challenging  session indeed.  

*  Come on in      take a seat there      I am Bruce so  good to meet you*   

*I'm Candy*  she said as she took her seat,  She darted her eyes  around taking in the  office  decor. * I have  been to quite a few  shrinks     wanna flip a coin to see how long   it lasts before you drop me??*  

Bruce    realized  she was a challenge  after reading over her profile.  She   had a long history  of   ending   therapy after a few sessions. She had a host of issues, many involving  trust and self-esteem. She  lost her father when she was very young and had a rough relationship with her mother.  She also had tried to commit suicide a few times it  said in the notes.  Truly challenging indeed. 

* I only have bills   so wouldn't make a very  good flip*  he  quipped,hoping to   lighten the mood  right away.   Candy   just rolled her eyes and   sat back in the chair, tapping her nails on the   arm. 

*I'm Bruce Candy.  I really   am  appreciative you  chose to   see me  out of all the  counselors   in the area. I   hope we can  develop  a relationship  over time that will    be comfortab;le for you and  therapeutic*  He smiled and made sure to look her in the eyes. 

*Sure* she replied. Just start  in       I lost my dad when i was 5     felt   abandoned  fought with my mom    was abused  blah blah blah      what's  my diagnosis dude?*    He knew he was in for a battle with this one.

*First off, I want to talk abolut how you are  doing  right now today     we  can   go back to your  past   in time. I have to t ell you  i lost my father as well so  I can empathize withyou there Candy* * I see you are in college and working.  How are you   doing withg that?*

Candy  leaned forward,crossing her legs, and   gave a  thumbs - up gesture.  * simply wonderful* she said. * You have  nice eyes *     she   kinda tilted her head a lil as she  said this. *Try to keep  looking at my eyes  ok???   *Guys tend to .....wander......when they see me*  She  flipped her hair and  leaned back  into the chair. 

Here was the rubber meeting the road. She was   very attractive  plus she was  emotionally   fragile which pushed his inner buttons  and he  knew he would  have to be extra on his guard to avoid   any transference with this one.  

*Thank you for the observation Candy*, *Lets talk about what your feeling               lately.  Any stresses  or    struggles??* 

 They both looked at each other.  Both   realized they liked each other as an initial impression. NOT  in a romantic way but in a   human  way.  Although,  deep inside they  knew too    urges would   work their way as they always did. For a  first session, this was going to   be quite a chess game. Perhaps.