Katie Smith

Therapy

Sarah knocked on Katie's office door.

"Come in" Katie called.

Sarah turned the door knob and walked into the office.  The early evening sun was shining into Katie's office giving it a happy glow.  There was a slight breeze outside that was catching a wind chime.

"Take a seat Sarah, would you like a cup of tea?" Katie asked

"Yes, please," Sarah said as she sat on what was quickly becoming her usual chair.  She sank into the seat, realising for the first time how tired she was.

Katie walked over to Sarah carrying two cups of tea, she sat down across from Sarah.

"So, how have things been?"

"Ok, Shona has been really helpful.  She has sat beside me during meals and introduced me to a few people. She has been really nice and so are the people she has introduced me to."

How have you been eating?"

"Yea, ok the foods fine."

"How are you settling into the school?"

"Yea, fine.  It's a huge building but the map has been fairly easy to follow so I have managed to make my way around ok, and I suppose it's helpful that most of my classes are in the same area so I haven't had to venture to far. Most of the classes are fine really, so far the only class different from my previous school has been Introduction to Turned Society.  I must admit I am finding that quiet difficult".  Katie looked down at her hands and began to play with her finger nails.

"Mmm... I have looked at your previous school record and though it may all seem overwhelming just now. I don't think you will have any problems with the test."

"It can be really hard to maintain my concentration, when Professor Blackwood started talking about the biological impact the virus has yesterday, I just started to close down all those biological terms were just so over my head and I seem to be the only one who doesn't get it."

"I wouldn't worry too much, as long as you read the assigned literature, you will be fine."

"How are you sleeping?"

"Sometimes it can be really difficult. I struggle to fall asleep sometimes and when I do sleep I often have bad dreams."

"Did the rewind exercise we did the last time help at all?"

"Yes, it did, but I still find it's so hard to switch off my mind. I can't turn off my brain, and my thoughts often turn dark."

"Ok, it might be useful for you to try some relaxation techniques prior to sleeping.  Lets try some just now. So close your eyes. I want you to just focus on your breath, try to follow your breath in through your nose, into your lungs and back out through the mouth," Katie paused allowing Sarah to take 5 slow breaths, "now this time when you breath in through your nose I want you to pay close attention to the way your air feels as it passes through your nose, follow that sensation as far as you can down into your lungs.... now when you breath out I want you to pay close attention to how your breath feels as you excel." Katie paused again and let Sarah just focus on her breath again for a few minutes, "Now open your eyes. I want you to try this relaxation technique for the next few days."

"Ok, I'll try"

"How about kids your own age, have you made any friends yet?"

"Well, there is this girl Bailey... but she kind of a bit over the top.  She was telling me how we are similar and then all about her mad Mum who killed herself, it was a bit much really, but maybe we could be friends, I don't know."

"Mmm.... I know Bailey and I knew her Mum.  Her Mum wasn't mad, she was a truth seeker. A rare gift and one the ministry holds in high regard, especially when it presents with the right combination of gifts.  Truth seekers are like walking lie detectors and more as they impel you to tell the whole truth. Alas such a gift is also a curse as truth seekers find it near impossible to not speak the truth themselves.  I never believe the stories that went around about her, but I have probably said to much... and we do need to end our session." 

"Ok," Sarah said as she got up from her chair, "Thanks."

Katie leaned back into her chair and closed her eyes. 'Was being back here just too much for her, were there just too many students who reminded her of her past', she thought, 'and thinking about Charlotte, Bailey's Mum might just be a bit too much right now.  There is definitely something wrong with what they said happened to her, I just know it! God I need to do my own relaxation session."