The secrets of Joanne

Therapy

It was the next day and it was Dianne's therapy session. She was dreading it. She couldn't wait until the day was over and she didn't have to do it again. Joe realised that if she was at therapy then she couldn't do the tour for that day and that he couldn't go home to Crystal and his mum. He called Amy first and decided to tell her.

"Hiya Joe, you alright?" 

"I'm good thank you, you?" 

"Yeah I'm really good actually. Why are you calling?" 

"I just wanted to say to you that I talked to Dianne last night, and somehow, don't ask how, have managed to persuade her to go to a therapy session today, so she can't do the show." 

"Oh, okay. That's absolutely fine. She needs a day off to manage her mental health anyway. Her health is always more important. I'll tell the tour producers."

"Thank you Amy, you're the best." 

"No problem, anyway, I've got to go. Just update me after and tell me if she feels any better." 

"I will, have a good show later." 

"Thanks, see ya." 

"See ya, bye." 

Joe hung up the call and text his mum. 

'Hi Mum, Me and Dot need to go to a therapy place for Dot, is it possible if you could look after Crystal for another day? x'

'That's absolutely fine Joseph, is Dianne alright?' 

'Yeah, she's fine. I'll explain to you once I come and get Crystal tomorrow.'

'Okay, what time will you be here tomorrow?'

'Probably around 7 or 8 in the evening.' 

'Alright, see you tomorrow then Joseph. x'

'See you then, make sure you give Crystal her bed time kiss from me and Dianne. x'

'Will do. Love you. x'

'Love you to x bye.'

'Bye. x' 

// 

Joe and Dianne had arrived at the building and all Dianne was feeling was scared. She hating telling people how she feels, she even hating telling Joe. She squeezed Joe's hand as they walked in. "You alright gorgeous? Are you scared?" Dianne nodded her head as Joe pulled her  into a side hug and rubbed her back. 

//

(D- Dianne J-Joe T-Therapist.)

T- Hello, I am going to be your therapist today. Hopefully, your full time therapist. Can you just introduce yourselves just so I know who you both are to each other and I don't pronounce them wrong.

J- I'm Joe.

D-.... 

T- And what's your name? 

D-.......

J- This is Dianne, and we're in a relationship.

T- Is she shy? 

J- No not really, she is just scared to be here. She doesn't like to talk about her emotions.

T- I understand. But, Dianne, is it possible if you can tell me why you wanted to come here?

D- I didn't. 

T- Pardon? 

D- I didn't want to come here. Joe said he would come and help me get through it. 

T- Okay. Joe, is it possible if you could tell me why you wanted to bring Dianne here? 

J- Well, she started self-harming 5 years ago, and she ran away and wanted to kill herself. It broke everyone when they all found out she was suicidal. But she was 5 years clean. We went to a restaurant with all of our friends, and she went to the toilet. But she was in there for over 10 minutes, so one of her friends went to check on her. Her friend went in and heard crying, and then she touched her wrists and she made a noise, or something along those lines. She pulled up her sleeves and she realised that she was self-harming.

Dianne had her tears rolling down her red cheeks, with her hand covering her mouth to avoid any noise. She felt a sharp pain in her chest and she started to lose concentration. She started to lose her breath and all she felt was her shaking. Joe looked over at her and saw her crying. He realised she was shaking and he could hear the quiet quick breaths underneath her hands. He very quickly realised that she was having a panic attack.

J- Is it possible just to have a moment together?

T- Do you need to have a talk about what we just talked about?

J- Yeah, I don't know, I just need to calm her down. She's having a panic attack. 

T- Oh, okay. I'll leave you to it.

The therapist walked out the room and Joe bent down in front of Dianne. He moved her hair behind her ear and held her hands. 

J- Dot, I'm here it's okay. It's okay. 

D- I-I ca-can't b-b-breath.

J- Dot, try and listen to me, okay? Remember in through your nose and out through your mouth. Slow breathes. 

D- I-I'm trying Joe. I-I- jus-just c-can't. 

J- Yes you can gorgeous. Right, copy me.

Joe did some slow breathing, for Dianne to copy but nothing was working. Her panic attacks have never been this bad. 

D- Joe p-please h-h-help. 

J- Dot, I'm trying. Can you trace your fingers and everytime you go up you breath in and when you go down you breath out. 

Dianne nodded and started doing what Joe said. After 10 minutes of trying different techniques for Dianne's breathing, she had finally calmed down. The therapist walked in, slowly to make sure everything was okay and sat back down. 

T- Is everything okay now?

J- Yes, it's hopefully all under control.

T- I would like to talk to Dianne but if she doesn't feel comfortable talking about it, then that's absolutely fine. I would like to see what made her start again.

J- Dot, do you want to speak about it? 

Dianne nodded and sat up straight.

D- Me and Joe had an argument about an hour or so before I left for tour. I took something and cut myself but it just felt good. It felt normal. And, um, I stayed with Joe in the hotel and I was really upset, so when he was talking to my best friend Amy, I went into the bathroom and I cut myself. Then we went to the restaurant, later that day, and I went into the bathroom and I cut myself, about 12 times. I couldn't help it. I was too overwhelmed. 

J- Well done Dot, I'm really proud of you.

The session was about another hour long and Dianne was slowly letting everything out. Hopefully, it works and Dianne stops self-harming. But will it? 

I'm sorry I haven't been uploading!!!!!!!! I've been really inconsistent in writing and uploading. I'm sorry :( But I'm back, hopefully.