I write about nothing of importance, which is important...to me.

Thursday, May 5, 2011

100% Reason to Remember the Name

Disclaimer: I wrote this story on behalf of my friend, "Rochelle."

“So, how was your week? Is there anything you want to talk about?” he asked, the same way he’s been starting out our conversations for the past eight weeks. He is reliable.

“Yeah, how do you remember all the people I talk about? I mean, like, how do you remember their names? Because it seems like you remember all the people I mention. I know you take notes after each session, but what are you writing down?” I ask with wondering eyes.

“Oh, I just jot down what we talked about. What your struggles were that week, etc.,” my one (and only) confidant notes.

Wow, he knows everything about me. He just knows me so well.

:10 minutes later:

“…So I printed out this worksheet for you to complete this week throughout the next few weeks. Try and fill it in everyday,” he mentions as he hands the slip of paper over to me.

I nod my head that, yes, I would try and complete this task, all the while intensely focusing on the words Jessica’s Daily Activities that were displayed proudly atop the paper.

“…So, in this box you would mark on a scale of 1-10 how you felt that morning. Then in this box you would mark how you felt that evening. The point of this activity is that I want to see what you’ve done that day that has impacted how you feel. I know Jessica enjoys blogging. So, say, blogging could be one of the activities that you mark that has helped you that day. You’ve also mentioned that you like being outside and doing yard work. You could also mark that down,” he continues to explain to me how exactly to fill out this little project that was printed a week ago.

“How do you feel about this? Do you have any questions?” he tends to ask me this question after every statement he makes.

“Uh, yeah, just one question: who’s Jessica?”

“You…” Um, do I have another personality that I’m not fully aware of?

“I’m not Jessica.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

“…You’re Jessica MyLastName (how’d he even know how to pronounce my difficult last name???),” he says with a slight hesitation, as if he’s trying to confirm to himself that he isn’t mistaken.

“Uh, that’s not me.”

A brief pause of silence.

“…Then what’s your name?”

“Rochelle,” I say, slightly embarrassed that I even brought the whole Jessica issue up.

Crap! he’s probably thinking to himself, I’ve just lost another client.

“I guess I spoke too soon about you knowing everyone’s names,” I remark…not knowing what else to say.

Wow, he knows everything about me…except my name.

Awkward silence.

"Yeah, I'm really sorry...sooooo, tell me the lowpoints of this past week..." He didn't know how to respond either.

This is why I’m in therapy.

48 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh. That is just horrifying.
    That's so awful to me I don't know how to put it into words.

    Your poor friend!!!

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  2. hahahahaha three cheers for forcibly hugging yourself!

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  3. LOL That's funny.. and sad. I'm amazed how my doctors can remember my names and my kids names and information about me when they have hundreds of other patients.

    I stumbled this.

    My posts: (2 different blogs)
    Pressure to Stop Breastfeeding

    Cutting Edge Therapies for Autism - Point to Happy

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  4. Lol, the picture says it perfect. Good Convo

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  5. Actually, it sounds like the super confused fella needs therapy.

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  6. WOW. How do you react to that? You pay this person to spill all your dirty secrets and he can't get your actual name right? Well, I suppose you should start referring to yourself in the third person just in case :)
    Ava

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  7. I am dying over here! My life has been sucktastick lately and your blog is really cheering me up! May I also mention that I have a good eye for talent and YOU my friend,are a gifted artist in the paint program.

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  8. Whoa... this really happened to you!? I pay my therapist to know my name!

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  9. Stumbled this from the hop:)Funny yet incredibly frightening. Excellent post:)

    Laura
    www.agoddessoffrugality.com

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  10. Yikes! That's really...something. Oh man.

    Stumbled you...would love it if you could stumble me back:
    http://www.keenlykristin.com/2011/05/bin-ladens-death-your-reaction.html

    Thanks!
    Kristin :)

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  11. I'll go out on a limb here, and guess that this incident marks a new low point.

    It reminds me of the time when one of our teachers asked another teacher some odd questions. And when she didn't get the presumed answers, she said, "Well, you're the cook, aren't you?" Note that they both had been teaching together in this district for over 10 years. A small district, with less than 200 students enrolled at the high school.

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  12. OK...that photo is priceless! I stumbled you...

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  13. Hmmm....Yes, if I'm paying top dollar to go to therapy, the therapist better damn well remember MY name! LOL

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  14. Well that inspires confidence. yikes.

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  15. Wow, that's crazy! My therapist has an easy time remembering my name because it's the same as hers. So if she forgot, I'd be REALLY worried about her!

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  16. I can think of one low point from your week

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  17. That is the most precious photo I've ever seen, lol.

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  18. This cat is cute. And the article is for thinking about. LG Tina :)

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  19. I bet that was in his list of low points. ;)

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  20. Hi, I love your writing style. Not so sure about your therapist yet though. I found you from Alexa hop and am following. Have a great day, Rochelle! :)

    Love,
    Me

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  21. I think that is so funny! You have an original blog. Found you and am following you from BPOW.

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  22. You have to admire the gall of somebody who would argue the point:

    “I’m not Jessica.”

    “Yes, you are.”

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  23. What a great way to make a crappy day better! Not! I need to be in therapy, I just don't trust anyone enough. I have gone through 4 in 2 years!
    Hope you have a better weekend!
    Elizabeth

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  24. Ouch! Good thing you are a hearty soul (or at least I think so...)

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  25. This person gets paid to listen to you, and doesnt know your name?
    You should print off the pic of the cat and bring it to him next time

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  26. OMGoodness, that is just too much, lol. Your poor friend, haha!

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  27. Ho. Lee. Shit.

    Did she go back to the same therapist?

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  28. Skye and XLMIC, Rochelle told me that she's planning on wearing a nametag to her next session...as a joke...but not really as a joke. :|

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  29. LOL...too funny and yet not. I would love to hear the follow-up story on how it goes with her wearing a nametag. Found you on the Alexa hop.

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  30. Your poor friend - that is horrible! But, the picture cracked me up - so cute!

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  31. I should print this post out and showed it to my therapist. Honestly, I think she forgot who I was sometimes.

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  32. When people don't remember my name, I wrap my arms around myself and say, "huggin' myself, huggin' myself all the time." Works like a charm!

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  33. Okay, this is hitting a little too close to home. Am I Rochelle? How did you know? (Seriously [kinda], I think it's time to ask the absentminded therapist for a referral to a new therapist.)

    Also, I have not forgotten about the awesome award that you so-long-ago bestowed on me. I'm just having trouble narrowing down the randomness. :)

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  34. How bad is it that my reaction to this post was that you are so lucky to have a therapist? Apparently, I'd love to have a shrink even if he didn't know my name.

    I'm guessing that is a story he will tell for a long time to his colleagues.

    In other news, I just realized I can sign up to receive your blog via email, this makes me very happy!

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  35. Very funny, Shan!!! You ARE a great writer!

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  36. This is so awful and hilarious at the same time. I remember when I forgot my classmates name. We hadn't seen each other in years.

    Him: "OMG KATIE!!!"
    Me: "Um....YOU!"

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  37. I swear therapist should review their charts before you walk in. lol Well written Shannon

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  38. oh gosh, i'll feel kinda betrayed if i were in your friend's shoes lol

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  39. Haha, that's cute :P It was quite fun reading your little story! :)

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  40. haha, so funny, hate those awkward moments.

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  41. Oh awkward moments :) Absolutely hilarious picture! Made me lol :)

    Sarah Allen
    (my creative writing blog)

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  42. Lol is that a story or is that reality?? I would be SO pissed if I was paying someone all this money to help me out and they didn't even know my damn name.

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  43. Cake Betch, this is 100% true. None of this conversation is made-up. This is how it really went down. Err, or so I'm told...from Rochelle.

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  44. what a horrifying, sad and funny story! poor friend.

    happily following now.

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  45. Oh, my! LOVE this, must send a link to my friend who's not sure she's with the right therapist - I think hers at least gets her name right! So glad I found you through Monday Mingle :)

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Thank you for reading and have yourself a great day. Or night. Whatever.

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