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But this whole therapy deal? It’s hard for me to get on board with that.
It still makes me uncomfortable and angry that this seems to be something I’m pushed into doing.
I grew up with a father who believed in keeping personal stuff within the family and not telling your business to strangers.
And Dr. Marlene is every bit of a stranger, no matter how raved about by the locals.
Chapter 2
Sarah
Clashing Personalities
It's been two weeks since I started seeing Tyler as his therapist.
Keeping my calm while remaining professional has been a challenging but essential boundary for me, especially considering Tyler's tendency to be combative.
He deflects every time I try to guide our sessions deeper, ranting about how he finds therapy annoying and pointless.
His argument is always the same—that his injury is physical, not mental.
"Tyler, understanding the connection between your physical condition and your mental state is crucial for your recovery."
I explain. Attempting yet again to bridge that gap for him.
"How we think and feel about our physical limitations can significantly influence our healing process."
He scoffs, crossing his arms defensively.
"But why does it matter how I feel mentally? If my knee's busted, it's busted. Feeling happy or sad about it won't change that. And it sure doesn't stop the limping or the stares from people."
I lean forward, trying to make him see the more profound implications of his mindset.
"It matters because your mental state can affect your motivation, recovery pace, and even pain perception. If you're always focused on the negatives, it could make your physical pain feel worse. Have you noticed your mood affecting your physical therapy sessions or how you cope with pain?"
He pauses, seemingly caught off guard by the question, but quickly recovers.
"I just think this is a waste of time. I should focus on returning to the saddle, not talking about my feelings."
Despite his resistance, I press on gently but firmly.
"But Tyler, part of getting 'back in the saddle' is being mentally prepared. It's not just about whether your knee can handle it physically, but also about whether you're ready to face that challenge again without fear or doubt holding you back."
He looks away, and for a moment, I think I've broken through to him. However, his walls go back up, and he's not ready to face these truths.
The sessions continue with this pattern.
Tyler often veers off-topic, complaining about everything from the uncomfortable chairs to the décor in my office.
"Why do therapists always choose such bland colors? Is it supposed to make me feel calm? Because it's just boring."
I smile patiently, redirecting him again.
"Let's focus on you, Tyler. How have you been feeling physically? And how do those feelings translate mentally?"
He rolls his eyes.
"I feel like I'm being punished. I'm stuck here talking instead of doing something to fix my knee. You ask how it 'translates mentally?' It's frustrating. End of story."
