Dear Client

Dear Info --

I'm not subtle either. In matters of dress. On Valentine's day, that is.

But, I do make it a point to be aggrieved after the fact when unappreciative clients mock me. Particularly, about my carefully chosen accessories such as heart-shaped necklaces.

- Blondie

Why don’t you get it? I don’t want to talk to you. I don’t care what happened to you if it wasn’t during the one hour you pay me for

This made me giggle and spit out my coffee, just bc of the black humor. I love this post.

Dear Esme, Please don't romanticize me. I am not Robin Williams in Good Will Hiunting. I am not Spiderman, The Wizard Of Oz, Dumbledore, Virgil escorting Dante through Inferno, or anything more than a dad who drives a minivan who went to a great school 30 years ago. I cannot save you, make what happened unhappen, and I work to live, not live to work.

Dear, dear Esme, Thank you for romanticizing me. You make me feel special, unilke my wife who is tired of me having allergies. You make me feel like Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting or a suburban Virgil even. Flatter me. Love my metaphors . I will love you for fifty whole minutes . Maybe even fifty three minutes if you get my literary reference to Tennessee Williams.

I miss you

Haha j/k

Dear A,
No, you are NOT making this social anxiety up just so you can see me longer.
No, you are not faking it.
No, you are not trying to get attention and/or sympathy from others or me.
This is real. You are real.
I know that it is disappointing to people around you at work and at home when you are like this, as if they think you are some kind of sicko. Or they think you are trying to get out of working. Or they attribute motives to your behavior that aren't factual. The humiliation you feel won't last forever.
Other people won't always remember this for the rest of their lives like you will.
I want to be here for you to help you with this because I know you feel alone.
I know you feel so isolated and somehow are unable to feel comforted. I know you are terrified and feel alone with it. I am aware of how you are feeling. I am hoping that your pain will lessen and you can go back to a more normal life. I am aware of how over eggaggerated that the events that are happening feel to you. You continue to work hard in your therapy and are doing just what you should be doing. I know you feel ashamed of visiting too many times. I know that you loathe yourself because of it. I would have you remember that I am on your side during this time when you feel so isolated. I know you're there. I know you're struggling. I believe in you.

Annie,
I'm proud of you. Keep going.
The time will pass quickly, I promise.
You are brave.
I'm looking forward to seeing you again.
Love, T

No, Art.

Dear imnotbroken,

I wish you'd let your guard down while we're in session and lighten up a bit. Your nervousness makes it difficult for me to figure you out, which is the purpose for you being here.

Annie. Please don't do this.

Do. Not. Do. This.

Argo,

You know all that stuff that happens between appointments? Yeah, that's your LIFE. Remember that.

-Beavers

What I imagine (and yes, wish!) she would write:

Art, see?! I have been telling you for almost 6.5 years that you're not stupid. You are figuring it out! Look at you go! I was really proud of you last week when you finally said "I get it, I get it..." and we laughed together over the whole thing... yes, I was pushing you, and you took it so well, I couldn't help but contrast that out loud with your reaction the first time I pushed you (when you hung up on me during that long ago phone session). You seemed surprised that I remembered that...

Anyway, I know you're getting ready to move on from me. I'm not trying to trap you. I'm really not. We've been a team for a long time, and I really do have your best interest at heart. I guess I just want to know that you're really ready to go. And I want you to know that, too. Yes, I will miss working with you. You've been incredibly devoted to and invested in your process!

Let's talk about this next week.
Warmly,
T

Growly darlin-
You can’t say that I’m not thinking of you. You just saw your insurance claim email come through? Yes I am doing my billing.
-Kashi, whereabouts unknown

Dear Lost,

I know this is a difficult time for you. I can see it in your eyes...and yet, I am proud of you for the work we are doing. (And yes, 'we' are doing the work...) Nobody can do this for you...so just remember to breathe, and I'll see you on Tuesday.

You can get through this.

Love,

R

Art, good work yesterday evening. I enjoy working with your dreams as much as you do, you know. Keep 'em coming. Heh. Oh and, say hi to Andrew Christopher for me. Tell him I hope he is enjoying his shell. T

LabRat,

When are you going to be done rebelling and acting out? I'm not going to enable you by responding in the way you want in the moment, nor am I going to respond in the way you fear I will. I'll just be here, calm and taking it in stride.

P.S. Actually do your homework this week, no matter how stupid you think it is

Hey........

Beside,

I still care. I promise. Quit being a spaz. We're cool and nothing has changed except in your twisted little brain. Chill out.

I'm still here.

I'm not sure what happened but I'm sorry I didn't pick up on your distress sooner. There is so much going on. I know its hard.
- You don't know, T. You have no idea. You don't know it but there is no way out.
There is a way out. I can help you find it. Come back next week and we can work it out together.
- No. You don't understand it at all, T. You never will.

Even though I can't/won't say it, I will miss you.

Dear AesB,

I know you have a sweet tooth, but I think your dwelling on Peeps from me is because you are not with your kid, who is a grown adult, doing the traditions you did for 20 years. I get it. You are resourceful - Amazon would have gotten an Easter basket to him. But then as a mom you would have worried about embarrassing him so you did not let your mind go there.

(Me: Why do I pay for this when I eventually figure things out for myself rather quickly.)

Dear Healing,

Stop being so damn needy and actually listen to what I'm saying.

T

Yes. I was paid thousands of dollars to manipulate and lie to you.
It would have been so much easier on you if you had just learned to love it like my other clients. You resisted and they submitted. They trusted what I said and you did not. Sure I was not trustworthy, but that is beside the point.

I'm proud of you for making this difficult decision. I'm proud of you for putting your health first (for once!!) And no, I haven't forgotten you. I'm looking forward to seeing you again.