[Therapist]:
Alright, Daniel… welcome back. How have you been feeling since our last session?
[Patient]:
Honestly doc… I think I’m healing.
[Therapist]:
That’s great progress. What changed?
[Patient]:
Yeah… I blocked her.
[Therapist]:
Okay, healthy boundary. And how did that make you feel?
[Patient]:
…So I unblocked her.
(short pause)
[Therapist]:
Of course you did.
[Patient]:
But listen — I didn’t text her. Growth.
[Therapist]:
I’m… cautiously proud.
[Patient]:
She texted me though.
[Therapist]:
And you ignored it?
[Patient]:
…For 7 minutes.
[(therapist exhales slowly)]
[Therapist]:
Daniel… what did we talk about?
[Patient]:
FTB, right? Focus. Thrive. Build.
[Therapist]:
Correct. So why are we still entertaining distractions?
[Patient]:
Because she said “I miss you.”
[Therapist]:
They always say that. What did you say?
[Patient]:
I said “I miss you too”… but like… strategically.
[Therapist]:
There is no strategic missing someone.
[Patient]:
Nah doc, you don’t get it — it’s emotional chess.
[Therapist]:
You are losing that game. Badly.
[(paper scribbling)]
[Patient]:
What you writing?
[Therapist]:
“Patient relapsed after 7 minutes.”
[Patient]:
That’s crazy… it was at least 8.
[(pause — therapist sighs)]
[Therapist]:
Let’s try something new. When she texts you… what should you do?
[Patient]:
Ignore it.
[Therapist]:
Good. And if she calls?
[Patient]:
Ignore it.
[Therapist]:
And if she says she’s changed?
[Patient]:
…Ask what package she upgraded to?
[(therapist pauses… then chuckles)]
[Therapist]:
Okay… that was actually funny.
[Patient]:
FTB customer service mindset, doc.
[Therapist]:
No. No customer service. This is about you.
[Patient]:
Exactly — I’m the premium plan now.
[Therapist]:
…We might be getting somewhere.
[Patient]:
So if she wants access—
[Therapist]:
—She has to subscribe to consistency, accountability, and respect.
[(short pause)]
[Patient]:
…Dang doc, you kinda spittin’.
[Therapist]:
I have a degree for that.
[Patient]:
So what if she pull up saying she different?
[Therapist]:
Then you observe actions, not words.
[Patient]:
And if the actions trash?
[Therapist]:
FTB.
[Patient & Therapist (together)]:
Focus. Thrive. Build.
[(both laugh lightly)]
[Therapist]:
Same time next week?
[Patient]:
Yeah… unless she text me again.
[(long pause)]
[Therapist]:
I’m raising my rates.