Positive Outlook From Therapy

Anxiously awaiting to be seen by someone in the office, Jack sat and picked up a magazine. Sitting and reading the receptionist came to him, and had him fill out some forms. These forms were insurance forms, and would provide the therapist with payment for the services. This therapist also accepted cash for the services, and that amount would be $60 for an hour. Jack noticed that this was expensive, and was glad he had brought the insurance information from work.

Apparently the nature of the work he does leave getting this type of help open to him. Maybe other people at work experience the need to see a therapist, and have come to see one. He did not know if others at work came to see a therapist, but he was glad they had the coverage. Jacks mental makeup on occasion makes him afraid for himself, and in need of some sort of assistance to sort out what going on in his head.

The therapist will see you now the receptionist explained, and she directed him to the office. In the office there were comfortable chairs on one side of the desk. On the other side of the desk was the doctor or therapist that peered over the desk at Jack. She got up and shook his hand and expressed for Jack to make him self comfortable. Jack said he did not mind if he does, and sat into the chair of his choice.

The therapist who was actually a psychologist asked Jack to tell her a little about himself. Jack cut to the chase told the therapist he works full time, and attends college at the community university her in town. He told her he pays his own bills, and pays for school with the money he makes from work.

Jack went on to inform the therapist about his losing his job, the car accident, and his grandparent’s death. He expressed his thoughts about living with Sandy, and how he felt when she left him. Jack ended by telling the therapist that he was interested in joining the service and getting out of the town, to move on to other better things in life.

The therapist expressed to Jack that this was allot of things to experience in such a short time. Jack read into the response as thought it were a question. Jack poured his information our about the stress, pressure, and tensions he had been experiencing. Jack summed up his voices, and delusions with the state of confusion. He explained he needed to see if someone could help him when he get himself in these situations where the confusion overwhelms him.

The therapist Mrs. Niel asked if there were other people for Jack to talk to. Mrs. Niel wondered if Jack had people to sort these problems out with in these times of trouble. Jack explained he had his live in girl friend, and they used to talk allot. Jack said he would get more worked up during the day, but would find sanction when he had time to talk with Sandy. Jack often found himself alone to deal with his own problems by himself. Jack continued to explain that he would like to have someone professional like to talk to and evaluate his situation so that he could trust his personal issues with someone. Jack explained that this was the reason why he came to find a therapist to get help with his personal issues he had been having a difficulty sorting out by himself. Sometimes he thought his friends made him more confused and concerned about himself then was actually necessary.

The therapist told Jack there was allot of things going on with him from what he had already told her. To work on issues of this nature would take some time. Mrs. Niel said she would have to take some time to get to know Jack, and Jack will have to take some time to get to know her. Together the two could develop a working therapeutic relationship. This will take some time, and she did not expect to establish a formal relationship in the first night.

Jack explained he understood, and would be glad to work on that relationship. Jack came out and asked if she would be able to help him resolve his confusion and the confused thinking he had been experiencing. Mrs. Niel said that the therapeutic process will take some time, but that he will feel better and less confused when they are through. She said that when you tell me about yourself, she will learn about Jack, and then while she learns about Jack that Jack will also learn about himself. Jack felt that to be understandable, and felt it as good a way to deal with his problems as any other way.

Mrs. Niel softly asked Jack if he used drugs, or drank alcohol. Jack explained he never used those things because of what he saw them do to his friends in high school. Jack expressed that the wondered if his life would have been different if he had, but continued to stay away form the use of drugs. So you do not drink alcohol, or use of drugs is that correct she said. Jack repeated himself, that he did not want to have what occurs to him, what he had seen happens to some of his friend.

Jack went on to explain that at times during his routine of work and school he experiences stress, tensions, and pressures that interfere with his abilities to perform his responsibilities. The therapist expressed that she would be able to help him with those things, and maybe in the future be able to work out those problems he had been having. But those problems would not be able to be resolved in one day.

The entire time Mrs. Niel had been jotting down some information concerning Jack as he explained to her his situation. Jack asked what that was that she was writing. Mrs. Niel told Jack these were some note to think about as she gets to know you. This will give me an idea of where to go with you and your therapy. Between this week and next week when we meet again she would review her notes to determine what the best route of action with his case would be.

Mrs. Niel explained that the information we discuss in this room stays between us. She said she has a responsibility to the client to adhere to strict confidentiality. She said this is a confidential relationship, and these things we discuss will stay between you and me. Jack felt good about that, and more thoughts continued to surface.

With this foundation of their relationship established Mrs. Niel explained to Jack what a forty five minute hour was all about. Jack said he pays $60 for a hour. What that hour means is forty five minutes. Jack a little upset, became forced to understand the situation even thought he was not pleased. Jack thought to himself that he did not feel as thought he got much help. He did however have a chance to go over and summarize what he had experienced in the last three months.

Jack understood Mrs. Niel wanted to see him on a weekly basis, and for started Jack would go along with the schedule. Mrs. Niel asked Jack to make an appointment with the receptionist, and said she would look forward to working with him. Parting this way Jack felt better about the time he spent, and what he had revealed about himself in the short amount of time. Jack left the office, and commented that he would look forward to developing a professional relationship with Mrs. Niel. Jack thought as he left the office that maybe he will be able to come up with some answers to his confusion, and get these thoughts out of his head.