Jane Doe and the wrong therapist.

         Jane Doe, aged about 20 years was on his wheelchair when he was brought to the hospital. Unhygienic, long – untrimmed beard, flat affect – neck bent down and tapping his left foot to the peddle of the wheelchair. Maybe Jane Doe was irritated or angry for being in the hospital. He was admitted after the formalities. His father was a small-scale business owner and mother was having her own store where she sold antique jewels. Jane Doe had discontinued his engineering course from Bingle Institute of Engineering, Bingle. 

         Jane Doe’s father reported that Jane Doe had been in depression during his final year and so, he quit his studies. He took medications for 3 months and was fine after that. He had been working in our factory to learn about the business. “He was better before. Now, he has become worse. I guess it’s a relapse.” Said Jane Doe’s father. 

         Jane Doe’s mother cried while explaining about his behavior during childhood. Being inattentive, not following the instructions, going against the wish of their parents, verbal and physical aggression in the school, truancy and low academic performance. She added to it that Jane Doe was not interested in studying engineering. “He never wanted to study engineering. He wanted to do interior designing course or architecture. His father forced him to take up and so he agreed to it half minded.” She then broke the news about his relationship breakup that happened when Jane Doe was in his 7^thsemester/ 4^th year as a result of which he was depressed. “Jane Doe was taken to a psychiatrist. He completed the course of medication. He was better till 2 weeks after the psychiatrist asked us to stopped the medication. He started worrying more and more. His sleep reduced, he skipped his breakfasts almost every day. He was then taken to Nomads’ Counselling Centre in Bingle City. Google says that the therapists there are good. But after he went to take counselling there, his mental health became more worse. We are here now.” she completed in a breath. 

         Jane Doe was kept under observation for 2 days. He was then brought to talk to the counselling psychologist who gathered the information from his parents. Jane Doe was initially uncomfortable talking to Cullinan but, was gradually feeling comfortable sharing. Jane Doe initially talked about his sadness and his present situation which is making him feel depressed. He added to it saying – “what on this planet is permanent, sir? We all are temporary. What is the point in taking these medications? What is the point in talking about what happened in the past and what I am doing in the present when the future is so uncertain?”

Now, Jane Doe is working in his father’s office, has a good social relationship and has worked on his relationship with his parents. Jane Doe is expected to fly to Titanium City in a couple of weeks to receive an award for his achievements as a young entrepreneur. His parents are happy for his achievements too.

         But why was the relapse? What was the reason behind Jane Doe’s severe depression and racing negative thoughts? The answer to this is – meeting the wrong therapist.

         When Jane Doe’s sadness overtook him even after he completed the course of medication for the first time, he was taken to a counsellor. This counsellor though – was not a professional counsellor. She had no proper certificates nor the minimum eligibility criteria to call herself a counselling psychologist. All she had was a 3 months diploma course in basic counselling skills from Nomad Academy, Bingle. Also, she had another diploma in understanding children’s behavior. She had then started practicing counselling. When Jane Doe was into depression – 1^st phase, he met this counsellor who – at the right time put these words in the mind of Jane Doe which became his belief: “what on this planet is permanent, sir? We all are temporary. What is the point in taking these medications? What is the point in talking about what happened in the past and what I am doing in the present when the future is so uncertain?”

The way Jane Doe perceived it might be different from what the counsellor actually meant. A right therapist would understand or probe to understand what the client or patient has understood from each session. 

WHAT WE SAY, HOW WE SAY, WHEN WE SAY, WHAT WE MEANT, WHAT THEY UNDERSTOOD AND HOW IT CHANGES A PERSON’S LIFE MATTERS A LOT.

-            CULLINAN