[Lance gives a small shrug at the question, but doesn't elaborate immediately; he's considering exactly how honest he wants to be, and eventually decides it's okay to tell pretty much the truth.]

I do meet with a lot of people, but it wasn't exactly... That wasn't exactly the problem. I just need to handle some problems of my own, and I can't do that while also providing counseling.

[He just doesn't have the time or energy for both, and it's gotten to the point where he can't put off dealing with his own issues any longer.

The appearance of the very cute cat--he wonders briefly when she got so big, then decides to just go with it--distracts him immediately from the more somber topic, and he carefully picks her up so he can scratch her ears as he answers the question.]

Thanks. I think a few would be good, just don't try to kill me with them.

[He can handle and likes a little spiciness but he's definitely not going to be doing the one chip challenge any time soon.]