Kael Elliot (ESTP) & Ryana Suzumi (ISFJ)

 

Kael : Look, I know there's a long tradition of a man and his doctor having a very personal relationship. It's been happening since Ancient Greece! If we were both born a few millennia ago, you'd already be married to me, raising our dozen children, and making me a warm drink every time I get home from adventuring.

Dr. Suzumi : I'm sorry, but we're hardly living in the times of Ancient Greece. Please quit joking and let's focus on finding a solution to your problem, shall we?

Kael : Oh, right. You're right. But why should I trust you? What makes you better than all these other psychologists trying to "figure me out"?

Dr. Suzumi : I don't claim to be better than anyone else. I simply strive to provide you with the best psychological care possible. So, what brings you here today?

Kael : Alright then, I'm glad you're not on some power trip like the other ones. I don't want to waste my time talking about my past, I know that's pretty much every psychologist's favorite routine. What I do need is to figure out the best way to manage my recklessness.

Dr. Suzumi : I understand that talking about your past can be tedious. However, understanding why you have trouble controlling your impulses can help you develop effective coping strategies. Now, could you please elaborate on this "recklessness" of yours?

Kael : My recklessness? Well, the more the risk, the more I'm tempted to do it. Jumping off high-rise buildings, exploring abandoned places, you name it, I'll do it. But I know I need to learn how to live a normal life eventually, so I need help getting rid of my crazy side.

Dr. Suzumi : And what makes you think that you need to abandon your crazy side? You yourself say that you've had plenty of fun living a dangerous lifestyle. What made you decide that it was time for a change?

Kael : I know I have, but I'm 24 years old now, I'm not a teenager anymore. I can't just keep on doing things like I used to. At some point I need to find a job and settle down. If I keep this up, I'll only get into more trouble. So I need to quit this lifestyle before I get hurt or get killed somehow.

Dr. Suzumi : I admire your courage for wanting to be responsible and putting yourself on a path towards success. Changing one's lifestyle can be a difficult and challenging feat, but it can also be quite rewarding. Let's tackle this step by step and start by exploring the reasons behind your desire to take risks.

Kael : I suppose I've always liked being out of my comfort zone, I enjoy not knowing what to expect... I never liked doing the easy thing, always preferred a challenge, no matter how dangerous it might be from the outside. I guess I'm just not a risk-aversive person by nature...

Dr. Suzumi : From the way you describe yourself, it sounds like you thrive on adrenaline and excitement. However, you also admit that you dislike doing the 'easier' thing. Do you feel like taking risks gives you a sense of control that the 'easy' life lacks?

Kael : Yeah, that's right, you hit the nail on the head. I guess I feel like if I don't do these wild things, I'll feel trapped by boring routine. Taking the risk gives me the feeling that I have chosen my own fate, instead of giving in to the easy path. And that I'm not just a cog in the machine of society.

Dr. Suzumi : You mention feeling trapped by a boring routine and being a cog in the machine of society. It sounds like you fear being controlled by external forces out of your control. Taking risks can give you a sense of agency and control, allowing you to chart your own destiny. Does it also give you a sense of freedom?

Kael : That's right, it does. By choosing my own path through life, not submitting to social conditioning or any authority, it makes me feel free. I can't think of anything more important than that. You're really quick to pick up my cues and feelings, I can tell you're not a beginner at this...

Dr. Suzumi : Thank you for the compliment, but please give me time to process all of the details we've discussed so far. Let me gather my thoughts and propose some effective strategies for finding a middle ground between taking risks and living a less reckless life.

Kael : Oh, take your time, Doctor. Your insightfulness has already given me a lot to think about. Just let me know whenever you have something in mind, I'm open for any possible solutions.

Dr. Suzumi : Before I suggest some possible solutions, I'd like to ask you a few followup questions. You mentioned that you enjoy the thrill of the unknown, but do you ever feel afraid or anxious when confronted with danger?

Kael : You know, I'm always the type to run head first into danger before really thinking things through, but now that you mention it, I'd say I do get scared quite often. I just tend to not show my fear much, like on the outside I might be smiling and even joking, but inside my heart is beating like crazy. I guess I don't want others to see me as vulnerable.

Dr. Suzumi : So you use humor and bravado to cover up your fear, but it often still lingers within you. Can you recall a specific time when your fear got the better of you?

Kael : There were many times in my life when fear got the best of me. But one particular time that stands out was two years ago, I was exploring some mines during a journey through the mountainside. Long story short, I got stuck and almost ran out of air. At that point, I thought I might die, and I became absolutely desperate, panicking like hell...

Dr. Suzumi : I understand that bringing up a traumatic experience can be emotional and difficult to talk about. It's clear that you've been through a lot in your life, particularly when it comes to taking risks. Your panic in that situation is understandable, but it also tells me that your sense of mortality is quite strong. Would you agree with that?

Kael : Yes, I guess my sense of mortality is quite strong... But what are you implying? That deep down I don't want to die?

Dr. Suzumi : Yes, that's exactly what I'm implying. Even though you take great risks, on some level, you value your life and want to keep living. Is that true?

Kael : I believe it is. Even though my actions often prove otherwise, I guess deep down I value my life and enjoy being alive. Otherwise, I wouldn't be trying so hard to get rid of my recklessness by coming to this appointment.

Dr. Suzumi : Based on our session so far, it seems that the main underlying cause of your reckless behavior is your fear of being trapped and controlled by mundane norms. Taking risks can give you a feeling of freedom, which is why you enjoy pursuing dangerous activities. Does this sound right to you?

Kael : Yes, that's right, that is essentially the reason why I enjoy living a wild lifestyle. I fear being trapped by social norms, or worse, being trapped in some cubicle 9-to-5 job, or something of the sort. I guess living like this gives me a sense of liberation, an excuse to break free of any obligations, and live a free life.

Dr. Suzumi : The sense of liberation, lack of obligations, and desire to break free are indeed a major element of your reckless side. Yet, something tells me that there's more to it. I'm getting the sense that there may be some unresolved issues from your past that are fueling that rebellion.

Kael : ... I guess I didn't really want to talk about my past because it was not something pleasant to recall, but here we are... Do you think you could guess what issues I'm repressing?

Dr. Suzumi : Without knowing the details of your past, I can only speculate about the issues that you may be repressing. However, based on what you've shared so far, one possible underlying cause for your recklessness could be unresolved trauma from your childhood. Have you ever experienced any significant emotional or physical neglect or abuse?

Kael : ... I suppose I did experience some neglect while I was growing up. My father was quite abusive, both emotionally and physically. He always treated me very harshly, and I used to often be locked up alone in my room as a punishment.

Dr. Suzumi : I'm sorry to hear that you suffered a lot of abuse growing up. Such harsh treatment can be very traumatic and lead to deeply rooted trust issues. Did you ever receive any form of affection or love from your mother or any other family members?

Kael : I remember my mother always cooking my favorite dish whenever my father wasn't home. And she would also give me hugs when I was upset, trying to comfort me. But those were rare occasions, most of the time she was afraid of my father and didn't intervene in his abuse, often leaving me on my own.

Dr. Suzumi : It's clear that your mother tried her best to comfort you and show her love through food. However, she was limited by fear of your father, who seemed to always rule the household. How did you cope with those feelings of fear, abandonment, and isolation as a kid?

Kael : Most of the time I just tried to avoid spending too much time at home. I was outside most of the day, running around the woods and exploring the countryside. That way, I could avoid dealing with these painful feelings of rejection and abandonment.

Dr. Suzumi : Running away from your difficult emotions through exploring nature was a good way to forget about the pain in the short term. However, these repressed feelings eventually catch up to you, especially when you lack healthy coping mechanisms. I'd also like  to explore another childhood issue that might have contributed to your reckless lifestyle. Have you always been a rebellious child?

Kael : Yeah, I guess I have always been a rebellious child. I never liked being told what to do by adults, from what I remember. I'd often misbehave at school, talk back to adults, and get into trouble, and I was mostly doing it for the excitement of it. I rarely felt bad about getting into trouble, in fact, I used to like the rush that came with it.

Dr. Suzumi : Being rebellious can be a sign of deep-rooted anger or frustration toward authority figures. It also offers a sense of freedom and excitement that may have been hard to access in a structured environment...

Kael : So, are you done analyzing my mind, doc? Can I go now?

Dr. Suzumi : Well, I don't think I finished analyzing your mind just yet. But if you have other appointments, I understand that you'd like to wrap things up here. Shall I quickly give you some suggestions for strategies you can use to manage your recklessness?

Kael : Yeah, I'm afraid I have an urgent appointment later today, and unfortunately, I can't be late. So I'd be grateful if we can skip to your advice. That way I'll still have a chance to implement it on my own later on.

Dr. Suzumi : Very well, let's skip ahead to some actionable suggestions. The first one is trying to avoid impulsive action and taking a few moments to consider the potential consequences. Instead of rushing into a risky situation out of boredom or adrenaline, taking a deep breath and assessing your options can be a better strategy.

Kael : Impulsive action is a big problem of mine, so taking the time to breathe and assess the situations will definitely be very helpful. I need to work on my patience and not act on every single silly idea I have.

Dr. Suzumi : You're right about working on your patience and impulse control. Another thing that can be helpful is finding safer alternatives to satisfy your desires for exploration and adventure. Instead of doing unnecessarily dangerous things, try channeling your curiosity and eagerness into safer activities, such as hiking or exploring your local area. That way, you'll find healthier ways to satisfy your thrill-seeking nature without putting yourself at risk.

Kael : Yeah, I think that would definitely be a great idea. I'll make sure to replace my reckless activities with safe ones that still allow me to satisfy my urge for thrill-seeking. I really have to thank you for those valuable insights, doc, you've been really helpful so far.

Dr. Suzumi : You're very welcome. I'm glad I could help. Before we end our session, do you have any last questions for me?

Kael : Now that you know a lot about me, I was wondering... Are you always this serious and professional when you deal with clients? Or do you get to relax and be a normal person sometimes?

Dr. Suzumi : Well, I do relax and try to be a ‘normal’ person in my personal life, but I tend to stay quite serious and professional during my sessions with clients. It's a way of maintaining an impartial and respectful environment where we can focus on helping them address their issues.

Kael : Ah, I see, the doctor's true personality only comes out outside of work. Well, seems like i have to go now.

Dr. Suzumi : Thank you for coming. I hope you'll consider our session together as a first step towards changing your reckless lifestyle. Take care, and good luck on your journey.

Kael : Thank you, doctor, and I'll do my best to get better and change my recklessness. I'll reach out to you soon, and well, let me leave you with this last thought. Maybe our next meeting could be outside a coffee shop, or anywhere really.

Dr. Suzumi : Well, we'll have to see. I guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Kael : I'll be seeing you soon, then, doc.