"It's like... I get these flashes..."
[[Continue->Continue0-00]](set: $domainpath to "CJ-Chapter13-")
(set: $domainpath to "//www.scissored.net/Samples/pics/CJ-Chapter13/CJ-Chapter13-")"Like, images, you know?"
"Sometimes it's stuff that never even happened..."
(print: '<img src="//www.scissored.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CJ-Chapter7-pt0-02.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue0-000]] "aaaand, unfortunately... sometimes it'll be flashes of something that //did// happen.."
(print: '<img src="//www.scissored.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/CJ-Chapter4-pt4-87.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue0-0000]] "I just... want it to stop.. I don't wanna think about it anymore, I want it all to go away"
"Can you help?"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt0-01.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue0-01]]"I'm sure I can... Come by my office later and we can talk about this in a more private setting"
"Sure, thank you so much"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt0-02.jpg">')
[[Continue->Chapter 13 Title]]
=><=
(css: "font-size: 150%;")[''College Journals'']
''Chapter 13''
//Intrusions//
[[Continue->Continue1-00]]"They're called 'intrusive thoughts', Tisha.. and they're perfectly normal", Kim says.
"Really?", Tisha asks.
"Sure", Kim replies. "It's only when they become hard to control that it can become a problem"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-01.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-01]]"That's exactly the problem, I feel like I'm losing control of my own thoughts", Tisha says.
"I get caught daydreaming in class, I'm struggling to pass, I can't concentrate on my homework", she continues.
"And I'm just not happy in general"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-02.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-02]]"Right, that's definitely something we'll want to work on", Kim says.
"The issue isn't necessarily the intrusive thoughts themselves", Kim explains. "There's usually another cause behind them that you need to deal with"
"Can you tell me more about these thoughts? Do the mental images you mentioned have a trend to them that we can think about?"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-03.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-03]]"Uhmmm.. I don't know how much I wanna talk about what pops into my mind, exactly", Tisha says.
"It's kind of embarrassing"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-04.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-04]]"Oh, that's totally understandable", Kim says. "That's why they're called 'intrusive' thoughts, right? They're not fun to talk about"
"Right", Tisha says quietly.
"Without getting into details, is there //anything// you feel comfortable telling me about them?", Kim asks.
"Well... they usually involve my friends"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-05.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-05]]"Ok, let's talk about that. Are your friends a positive influence on your life?", Kim asks.
"I mean.. I guess? Sometimes?", Tisha replies hesitantly. "They try to help, but sometimes I don't appreciate the way they do it"
"And lately it's been a lot of drama"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-06.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-06]]"Tisha, college is a high stress environment for a lot of people", Kim says. "The pressure from studying and tests can't be avoided, but other things can"
"It's important to have stress relievers around you to give you balance in your life", Kim explains.
"If your friends are actually ''adding'' to your stress, then that's a pretty significant challenge we'd want to work on"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-07.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-07]]Tisha felt a nervousness go through her body as the discussion about her friends took a negative turn.
"Umm, well, I didn't mean to make it sound bad", Tisha says, trying to steer Kim away from getting into what she'd been doing with Casey and Sahana.
"I don't wanna blame anyone else for my problems", Tisha tells Kim.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-08.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-08]]"It's not about ''blaming'', it's about having healthy relationships that help you build a positive state of mind", Kim responds.
"It's about having strong support systems for the times you need it", Kim continues.
"Look, it's college... you're going to fall down sometimes. We all do", Kim says.
"It helps to have people that will pick you up rather than hold you down"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-09.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-09]]Kim's words resonated.
Tisha sat silently and thought about it.
"Tisha?", Kim asked, noticing her trance-like state.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-10.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-10]]"Tisha, I can see this is a sensitive area for you, so why don't I give you some time to think about it more until our next session?", Kim suggests.
"Yeah.. yeah, that sounds good", Tisha agrees.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-11.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-11]]"Don't forget to think about what I said", Kim says.
"I will, thank you Kim", Tisha replies.
"You're welcome, see you next time", Kim says.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-12.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue2-00]]Tisha headed back to the dorm with a lot on her mind.
It wasn't long before her train of thought was //snapped// back to reality...
"Tisha!!", a voice called out.
//'Ughh.. I don't wanna deal with Sahana right now.. or even worse, Casey..'//, Tisha thought, trying to ignoring the voice calling her.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt2-01.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue2-01]]"Tisha!", Julianna chirps.
"What's up?!?", Julianna asks.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt2-02.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue2-02]]"Oh hey Jules, what's up?", Tisha replies.
"You look like a space cadet over there, are you alright?", Julianna asks with a laugh. "I called your name like 3 times"
"Yeah, yeah, sorry... just in deep thought I guess", Tisha says. "But it's all good, thanks for asking"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt2-03.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue2-03]]"Alright cool, I won't keep you", Julianna says.
Walking backwards, Julianna asks, "hey, are you going to Kevin's party?"
"Not sure...", Tisha replies. "I haven't talked to Casey or Sahana about it"
"Don't worry about them, just come!", Julianna suggests.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt2-04.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue2-04]]"K, see ya round!"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt2-05.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue2-05]]Waving goodbye to Julianna, Tisha takes a seat at the lounge to think about Kim's feedback.
Kim's remark about having friends that '''pick you up''' instead of friends that '''hold you down''' really stood out to Tisha.
Kim didn't realize how poignant her comments were. She might have meant it figuratively, but it was true in a literal sense as well.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt2-06.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue2-06]]//'Kim is right'//, Tisha thought. //'How much more held down can you get than someone sitting on your head?'//
//'Casey holds down Sahana and Sahana holds me down, and Casey holds us both down'//, she thinks.
//'That's not what a real friend does'//
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt2-07.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue2-07]]//'But they're helping me, in a way.. with K-Chal.. sort of.. I'd be out of the school if it wasn't for that'//, Tisha ponders.
//'If Casey finds out I'm even hinting at anything with that to Kim, she'll kill me'//, she realizes. //'Both her and Sahana have too much dirt on me'//
//'Kim might be right, but maybe I should keep quiet for now'//
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt2-08.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-000]]''Later...''
[[Continue->Continue1-0000]] "Welcome back", Kim greets Tisha as she sits down.
"Thanks", Tisha replies. "I took your advice and I really thought about things and I feel like we got off on the wrong foot"
"Oh? How so?", Kim replies with surprise.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-13.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-13]]"I just felt like I painted my friends in a bad light and I didn't mean to do that", Tisha says.
"They're really great friends and the last thing I need is more problems"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-14.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-14]]"More problems?", Kim repeats with a raised eyebrow. "With your friends?"
Before Tisha can backtrack, Kim clarifies, "Tisha, you don't have to defend your friends from me"
"I'm here for you... I'm here for them too", Kim says. "Don't forget that you're not talking to a Professor right now"
"I'm here to help you and everything stays between us"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-15.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-15]]"Look, I know everyone around campus thinks I have a lot of friends, but between you and me, the truth is I'm really only close with Casey and Sahana", Tisha says.
"I don't think dissing my 2 best friends is gonna get me very far in these sessions"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-16.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-16]]"Then don't", Kim replies abruptly.
"Hey, I'm not asking you to 'diss' them, I'm asking you to talk about your relationships", Kim states.
"You've made a great first step in coming here, but it's okay to acknowledge the things going on around us and talk about it", Kim explains. "It's very healthy to do that"
"And if you do want to go far with these sessions, you need to be willing to discuss the things that matter to you and affect you"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-17.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-17]]Tisha takes a moment to think.
"You're right... you're right", she admits.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-18.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-18]]Kim waits for Tisha to tell her more, but Tisha remains hesitant.
"Do you... want to start with telling me about Casey?", Kim suggests politely.
Tisha avoids eye contact and doesn't respond.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-19.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-19]]"There has to be something you'd say about one of your best friends in your life?", Kim tries to prod Tisha into opening up.
"Anything at all?"
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-20.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue1-20]]Tisha's posture straightens up as she makes eye contact with Kim.
"Actually... There's a lot I should say when it comes to Casey", Tisha reveals.
"Let me tell you how it started...", Tisha begins.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt1-21.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-00]] ''Later...''
[[Continue->Continue3-000]] “Oh that’s good to hear, since you’re starting to feel better I’m sure you wouldn’t have anything bad to tell Kim right?”
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-02.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-02]] “Hey Tish, how are you feeling today?” Casey asks
“Ummmm pretty good I guess. Starting to feel a bit better” Tish replies
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-01.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-01]] Tisha sat in silence, she hadn’t told Casey, Sahana or anybody about going to therapy with Kim over the past few weeks.
“Oh, don’t worry Tish I just happened to see you coming out of her office is all.” Casey continued
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-03.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-03]] “Oh ok, sorry for after dealing with Sahana you had me worried there for a second” says Tisha relieved
“Worried about what? Casey asked
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-04.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-04]] “Well you know Sahana kinda acted like she was my friend and then….well I told you what she did to me…” Tisha says meekly
“Exactly and when you told me that I told you what I did to her right? I didn’t just tell you I showed you. I mean if I’m not a good friend for doing that for you who is?” Casey replies
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-05.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-05]] “I know Casey, and I appreciate you doing that for me, it’s just that therapy is kind of… a personal thing ya know” Tisha reveals
“You’re right Tish it’s a personal thing…..just remember all this K-chal stuff has to stay amongst us alright?” Casey probes
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-06.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-06]] “It is Casey, I promise I’m not talking about this stuff with Kim, there’s a lot of other stuff going on in my life right now.”, Tisha says.
“For sure, just know as your friend I’m always here to listen to you too.”, Casey replies.
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-07.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-07]] “Ok, I’ve got some stuff I need to get done tonight so I’ll see you later ok?”
“Ok, Case I’ll catch you later”
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-08.jpg">')
[[Continue->Continue3-08]] “Oh, one more thing before I leave. Don’t let me find out you’re not being honest with me, you know what happens when people aren’t honest with me don’t you??
“I do, Case. I do.”
“Good.”
(print: '<img src="' + $domainpath + 'pt3-09.jpg">')
[[Watch Again->Intro]]
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