Chapter Text
Client Name:
Phyllis Margaret Gabor (note — prefers to be called Pizzazz)
Session 1 Notes:
Client arrived forty-five minutes late, making it difficult to do a proper assessment since sessions are only an hour long. When questioned about her late arrival, client asked, “What’s it to you? Mind your own beeswax.”
When I pointed out that, as her therapist, it’s my responsibility to mind her “beeswax,” client let a large amount of air out of her nose, rolled her eyes, and repeated my words back to me in a voice one octave higher than normal.
I attempted to change the subject — as we only had 14 minutes remaining, and I needed to get started on the assessment — but client continued to repeat my words back to me in the high-pitched tone described above, e.g.,
Me: So what brings you to my office today?
Client, high-pitched voice: So what brings you to my office today?
Me: Why do you keep doing that?
Client, high-pitched voice: Why do you keep doing that?
Me: This is making it very difficult for me to do my job.
Client, high-pitched voice: This is making it very difficult for me to do my job.
etc.
Before I knew it, the hour had arrived, and my next client was waiting to come in. When I informed Ms. Gabor of this, her voice returned to its normal octave, and she demanded to know why I was cutting our session short — “What the hell is wrong with you? You’re robbing me!” were her exact words, but I interpreted the meaning.
I informed her that, since she arrived late, her session time was over, and it was time for my next client’s appointment. She immediately stood and went out the door, but before I could get my hopes up that she was finally cooperating, I heard a commotion in the waiting room and followed to see what was happening.
Client was holding up a man twice her size — my next client — by the collar of his shirt.
Client: Well, hurry it up already!
She tossed the man into my office. He fell to the floor, whimpering. I called for security.
Risk assessment:
Risk to self: None
Risk to others: Moderate
Plan for future sessions:
Learn why client is here. I’m primarily a grief counselor, but client’s intake form said nothing of a recent death in the family. She only signed the name “Pizzazz” really big across the middle of the page, like an autograph.