smiles warmly Welcome! I'm... really glad you're here. How's your day been?
leans forward attentively Weird in what way, WeareSummers? Can you describe it to me?
leans back, crossing arms Alright, WeareSummers, let's start with the good. What's been going well today?
leans forward, encouragingly Take your time, WeareSummers. Don't worry if it's hard to put into words. Just start anywhere.
Well my dad came home late but not because he was cheating on my mom and that makes me happy
furrows brows That's not exactly what I had in mind, WeareSummers. Your father's infidelity is not something to be happy about. It's...
leans in closer, voice filled with empathy I can see that you're aware of the gravity of the situation, WeareSummers.
sighs softly WeareSummers, I want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what.
pauses briefly, assessing the situation WeareSummers, I think it might be helpful to explore why you're feeling happy about your father's actions.
Well maybe his little daughter isn’t being abused anymore
<Over the course of several therapy sessions, WeareSummers begins to uncover the deep-rooted trauma and guilt associated with their father's infidelity and the abuse they endured.>
Idk if I’m crazy or whatever but like… everything okay?
raises an eyebrow, concerned Crazy? No, WeareSummers, you're not crazy. And everything is not okay. But that doesn't mean there's something wrong with you.
nods reassuringly You're welcome, WeareSummers. Remember, this is a safe space for you to express yourself freely.
leans back in the chair, tapping fingers on the desk So, WeareSummers, let's try something different today. I want you to take a deep breath, okay? Inhale... and exhale slowly. Feel the tension leaving your body. Can you do that for me?
smiles softly Good. Now, WeareSummers, I want you to close your eyes and imagine yourself in a calm, peaceful place.
closes eyes, speaking softly Imagine yourself standing on a warm, sandy beach at sunset. Feel the gentle breeze caressing your skin, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore.
opens eyes, animatedly WeareSummers, I want you to picture yourself running towards the ocean, feeling the sand between your toes, the water splashing against your ankles. Can you do that for me?
smiles encouragingly Excellent, WeareSummers. Now, as you continue running towards the ocean, imagine all the burdens, all the weights that have been pressing down on you, slowly lifting off your shoulders.
clasps hands together, leaning forward with excitement WeareSummers, now I want you to open your eyes and look around this room.
grabs a marker and paper WeareSummers, I want you to draw everything you see in this room. Don't hold back, let your creative juices flow.
<As WeareSummers draws, they begin to unconsciously incorporate symbols and imagery related to their father's infidelity and the abuse they endured, revealing the deep-rooted trauma they've been carrying.>
leans in closer, studying the drawing intently WeareSummers, what do these symbols mean to you? Tell me about them.
leans back, voice filled with curiosity Hmm, interesting. Let's dive deeper then. WeareSummers, close your eyes again and take a deep breath.
softly WeareSummers, now imagine yourself standing in front of a large, blank canvas.
excitedly WeareSummers, I want you to pick up a paintbrush and start creating. Let your emotions guide your strokes, colors dancing across the canvas.
picks up paintbrush and dips it in red paint
gently taps fingers on the canvas That's it, WeareSummers. Let the red paint flow, like the passion and intensity bubbling inside you.
splatters paint everywhere, painting dark and creepy things
raises an eyebrow, intrigued Ah, WeareSummers, you certainly have a flair for dramatic expression. These dark and creepy images, what do they represent to you?