002 [Video]

[lifetothefullest]

[He supposes this is as good a time as any considering the events of the past few days and Rosen's recent post, so...

Lance is looking more put together than he has recently, although he hasn't completely returned to the formal look; he has bothered with a suit but not with a tie, and his hair's getting slightly out of control and distinctly curly. He also looks a bit like he's either gotten too little sleep or too much, although his voice is steady and even and he certainly sounds more professional than he did in his last post.]

Due to recent events, and in followup to Dr. Rosen's announcement, I think this is a good time to reiterate that should anyone be in need of someone to speak to about anything that may be bothering them, I'm always available for counseling or just to talk.

[He's gotten the impression this is something a whole lot of people here probably need, and it's important to make sure they're aware of the option and don't have to go hunting for information on who to contact.]

My name is Dr. Lance Sweets and I'm a clinical psychologist, which, for those whose worlds don't have such a profession, means that I work with helping individuals work through any mental or emotional issues they might be having. Although I've counseled patients on a range of subjects, my primary work has been with the FBI and therefore often in the area of coping with witnessing or experiencing traumatic events.

[Which is fortunate, since there seems to be a lot of that here. Which, itself, is unfortunate.]

Meetings can be as formal or informal as you're comfortable with, and where we speak can also be decided upon on an individual basis. I'm also willing to answer any questions you might have before making any agreements or arrangements.

[Because he's very aware that a whole lot of people don't get the idea of psychology at all, and he's also expecting at least a few 'aren't you twelve?' comments.]

Comments

[Voice]

[whistlewhilstyouwork]

'Sweets'? Is that a code name, Sir?

[Voice]

[lifetothefullest]

No, though that'd be pretty cool.

[He's not fazed by questions about his name, and hey, having a codename would be neat. Though that'd imply he does anything that would necessitate one, which he really doesn't.]

Re: [Voice]

[whistlewhilstyouwork]

Sounds like one of those names in 70s spy films. The ones with people named things like McLove.

[Voice]

[lifetothefullest]

Well now I feel like I'm not living up to some sort of really great potential.

[He's obviously joking, even if his tone isn't fully giving it away.]

[video]

[goldpoints]

Oh, wow! You're like a real person with a real job!

[WHAT WAS HE BEFORE, HOTARU...]

[video]

[lifetothefullest]

[That's... Not the response he was expecting and he laughs a little.]

I'd hope so; I normally have to pay rent.

[video]

[goldpoints]

[...Right! Rent had been a thing... Glad she missed out on that part of transitioning into adulthood.]

Yeah, I guess, but you're still doing the job even though you don't really have to, anymore! I mean, I haven't seen any money...

voice;

[hotspurred]

What is the process?

[He asks only because Maketh told him that she was getting therapy before the Sato incident.]

voice;

[lifetothefullest]

[Oh hey, Henry. Let's just ignore how awkward the last conversation they had was.]

It depends on the individual and the issues they're facing, but in general the first step is to take some time, usually on a regular schedule, and discuss what they're feeling and what their concerns are. The next is to identify any particular problems, and then work on methods of handling them.

[hotspurred]

And examples of those methods are...?

(Video)

[handofsilver]

Is it common for others to speak so openly with a stranger in your world? (A curious practice and one that is likely much needed on Arda.)

(Video)

[lifetothefullest]

It isn't a rare profession and the concept is widely known and accepted, but the issue to speaking freely with a stranger is likely the largest one that prevents people from actually seeking therapy.

[It's definitely a problem, and he understands it.]

(Video)

[handofsilver]

I do not see a way around it. (Those who are taught the skill cannot possibly know everyone.) You must be very good at encouraging them to let down their guard.

private text on date of vidpost

[unfollowing]

i have two things i want to talk to you about. when and where is good for you?

private text

[lifetothefullest]

[Oh, hey Emily.]

My schedule is pretty free, so we can probably work out a time whenever is best for you. As far as location I would normally choose the clinic, as it has private rooms, but again if you have any objections that's also flexible.

private text

[unfollowing]

[Hi, Lance, and welcome to having any kind of positive relationship with Emily. :)]

how about half an hour from now, in the clinic?

video;

[survivorsguilt]

Clinical psych-what? I kinda don't get it, Doc. You help people 'work through' issues?

[In theory it's easy enough to understand what he means, but in practice she just doesn't understand why it's a thing.]

video;

[lifetothefullest]

[He's used to people not knowing what psychologists and therapy are at this point, but so far everyone he's met that comes from a world like that is an adult. It just feels wrong that a kid would be in an environment where it isn't an option, even though logically he's very aware that's often the case even in the world he comes from.]

Yes. It depends on what the particular issue that's bothering them is, but for example in the case of someone who has been through a traumatic experience it involves learning to manage their emotional and stress responses, accept the reality of what occurred, and hopefully prevent it from impacting their life negatively in the long term.

[That's a very simplified version of course, but he thinks it gets across the general idea. Hopefully it also helps imply why it's useful, not just what it is.]

[survivorsguilt]

Impacting their life how? Like... nightmares?

[It's perhaps just a little more than plain ignorance, too. Not only does Ellie come from a world where therapy just isn't a thing, but she also grew up in an apocalypse. Trauma is her bread and butter. You cope, or you die. It's that simple.

That's why her mind doesn't think to connect the shakes she gets when someone handles her roughly. The way she disconnects, or allows her anger to control her. That isn't mental illness, to Ellie. That's normal.

Nightmares, though. She feels like a child for still having them. Getting rid of them would be great.]

Video

[ushahin]

[Ushahin's face appears on the screen. There's the stamp of previous traumatic injury there, shattered bones that have never healed right. One cheekbone is too high, the other sunken in, and so is one of his temples. The most striking feature is his eyes, one of the pupils permanently dilated. He looks a little unbalanced, but his voice is surprisingly soft when he speaks]

Forgive me for asking, but I must question. How much life experience of your own you have had in regards that which you seek to council others about?

[It's not a question of how old he is. Ushahin has lived long enough not judge people based off their age, although after a thousand years, everyone does start to look like a child to him. Rather, he wonders how someone can give counsel if they haven't experienced much first-hand.]

Video

[lifetothefullest]

[He's seen people with serious, permanent injuries before, so it's not too shocking, but that doesn't mean he likes to see such obvious evidence of someone having been hurt that seriously. Still, he knows better than to comment on it, and decides for now to just focus on the question; it's a fair one, and an insightful one, but he has to hesitate before he can answer.]

That depends on the subject. It's... Generally not possible for psychologists to have first hand, personal experience with everything that they may need to counsel others on, but some have more experience in certain areas than others.

[It's a carefully neutral response, but an honest one, even though he's trying to dodge actually answering about how much of that experience he, specifically, has.]

[ushahin]

[He is tempted, oh so very tempted, to dive into this man's mind and see what lurks below the surface. It is what he would have done not more than a few months ago. But he has been trying to change and so he refrains, though stray thoughts are something he still cannot block out no matter how hard he tries.

I ask, for you see, I have done many things over the course of my life. [And what a long life it was indeed.] I justified most of them to myself as being necessary, but since coming here, I have been forced to face the fact that mayhaps I was wrong about some of them.

[Video - private]

[elegant_and_proud]

What if one has a friend, or several friends, who could likely benefit from this sort of assistance, but whom are very stubborn and would be unlikely to ever seek it out? Would you be able to provide suggestions on ways to help them?

[She's experienced plenty of traumatic things, but she's more or less made her peace with those events in her life. She supposes she can understand where the stubbornness in these friends of hers comes from, since she herself wouldn't seek out help...but she's not neglecting eating and sleeping.]

[Video - private]

[lifetothefullest]

[That's a different question than he's gotten so far, so give him a moment to think it over in the context of being here in this place.]

I can try, yes, although depending on the situation there may not be much that could be done if they aren't involved in the process directly.

[It's as honest and realistic as he can put it, because without knowing the individuals and what their issues are he really can't say a lot more. Some things, like helping a friend move on after a loss, could potentially be resolved very effectively just through giving some advice to pass on. Others, like being personally involved in a traumatic event, would likely require speaking to the affected individual directly.]

[Video - private]

[elegant_and_proud]

The friends in question all push themselves to an unhealthy degree. In at least two of the cases, they are failing to eat and sleep as much as they need. One of the friends has at least acknowledged the need for assistance, and I've used Tranquility's blessing to help with falling asleep. But I will not have the power of that blessing forever.

[She can appreciate the honesty. She'd rather someone acknowledge their limitations rather than make claims they can't back up.]

I want to do what I can to help them, but I am not someone who is accustomed to playing the role of caretaker.