The young woman tapped nervously on the heavy oak door. She had been told by the receptionist that the doctor was ready to see her now. She waited at the door for what seemed like ages, but in reality was only a few seconds.
The door opened smoothly.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Townes," the doctor said without any fuss. "Please come in."
The doctor politely made way for the patient. The young woman, Georgia Townes, nervously entered the consulting room.
"Please sit here," the doctor said, indicating a comfortable chair in front of a large mahogany desk. The doctor made his way to the other side of the desk. After Georgia sat down, he too, took his seat, the large island of mahogany floated between them.
Georgia settled herself nervously, nesting in her chair. The doctor looked down and picked up a pen and made some brief notes in a notebook.
"First, Ms. Townes," the doctor said addressing her at last, "a few basic questions."
"Yes, Doctor," Georgia responded.
"Your age?"
"Twenty-eight."
"Height?"
"One hundred and seventy centimetres, I think."
"Sounds about right. Weight?"
"Sixty kilograms, Doctor."
"Married? Any children?"
"No. But I have a boyfriend."
"Any known conditions? Are you currently taking any medications?"
"No. None, Doctor."
"Sexually active?"
"Uh, I'm sorry?" Georgia blushed.
"Apologies, but it is important for me to know what is happening in my patients lives, so that I can best understand and help them. I hope you understand."
"Of course."
"Now, are you sexually active, Ms. Townes? Do you have frequent or infrequent oral, vaginal, anal sex? Petting? Lesbian or hetero? Masturbation?"
"Umm... no," Georgia looked down and whispered.
"Excellent, thank you, Ms. Townes. As you know, I am Doctor Meister. Now, how can I help you today?"
Georgia squirmed in her chair.
"Well, Doctor," she began and then paused.
"Yes, Ms. Townes?"
"Well, Doctor," Georgia said quietly. "My boyfriend..."
"Yes, Ms. Townes? What about your boyfriend?"
"I'm not sure how to start..."
"Ms. Townes," Dr Meister said calmly, "you seem a little distressed. Would you prefer to rest on the couch, relax a little? Would that help you?"
"Yes, maybe that would help," she replied.
"I am sure it will help you feel more at ease."
"Yes, I think I will. Thank you, Doctor."
Georgia made her way to the couch and stretched out along its length. Her right leg crossed her left at the ankles, her left hand held her right hand and rested near her her pubis. She closed her eyes.
Dr. Meister sat on a chair near the end of the couch, out of Georgia's direct line of sight, but in a place where he could fully see the reactions of his patient as she spoke.
"Now, Ms. Townes," the Doctor said soothingly. "I hope you are more comfortable."
Georgia nodded.
"That's good," he continued. "Now, I need to understand why you have come to see me today."
There was a silence which Dr. Meister decided to allow to continue until his patient was ready to fill it.
"Um," Georgia started, eventually. "I have a boyfriend. It's about my boyfriend, or us really."
Her voice trailed off.
"What about your boyfriend, Ms. Townes? Tell me about him."
"His name is Paul. I have known him for a year or two."
"Is he kind to you?"
"Yes..."
"Yes?"
"Yes, he is kind to me. Caring."
"Well, that is a good thing, is it not?"
"Yes, but,..."
"Yes, Ms Townes?"
There was an extended silence.
"Ms. Townes, in order for me to help me, you must be open and honest. I sense you are trying to be, but for some reason, it is proving difficult for you. Perhaps you are self-censoring what you really want to say because you fear disapproval, or suppressing these things because they are distressing to you. Rest assured that, as your therapist, anything you say will be held in the utmost confidence and that you have nothing to fear from our discussions. You are in a safe place to explore your desires and fears."
"I'm sorry Doctor," Georgia sobbed quietly, her pretty face cupped in her hands. Dr Meister noted her long delicate fingers. "It's so difficult for me."
"Maybe we should try some relaxation therapy, Ms. Townes, before we go further."
"What is that?"
"Simply soothing words and calming practices to help you relax. You may fall into a more suggestive state, a state that is less guarded by many of the psychological defences we use in normal social situations. This suggestive state is powerful and can be helpful for reinforcing changes of behaviour or introducing new behaviours. Any behavioural alterations can only be in alignment with the subject's own inner desires and needs, of course. These methods cannot make a person do anything that they do not want to do."
"OK, Doctor. If you think it would help."
"Yes, I think it would help you greatly. Give me a minute or two to make some adjustments."
Georgia nodded. The doctor rose from his chair. Georgia sensed the lighting being adjusted to a softer, warmer light. Was there a subtle scent? Did she hear faintly the soothing strains and perfect cadences of polyphonic voices. Hildegard von Bingen?
"Would you mind removing your shoes, Ms. Townes? It is very important that you should be able to fully relax, both physically as well as mentally: from your head to your toes. Shoes can compress one's feet and prevent the muscles from being able to flex and they also prevent the blood from circulating."
"Yes, of course Doctor," Georgia replied and quickly removed her slingbacks and placed them under the leather couch.
"Wriggle your toes? Is that not better?"
Georgia scrunched and wriggled her toes.
"Yes, Doctor," she said smiling for the first time, "much better."
"Now, Ms. Townes," Dr Meister slowly intoned in soft, low, soothing voice. "I want you to make yourself comfortable. Lay back on the couch and allow yourself relax."
Georgia felt herself safe and comfortable with Dr. Meister and she allowed herself to relax on the lounge.
"Let the tension flow from your body. Focus firstly on your face and neck. Allow the muscles to relax and feel how good it is to surrender to calmness and surrender to my voice."
The doctor observed with approval as Georgia's face visibly softened and she settled more deeply into the couch.
"Good girl, Ms. Townes. Now, let the tension drain from your shoulders. Feel your shoulder as the muscles ease and the tension drains out from your body through your fingertips."
Georgia's shoulders rolled once or twice then settled. Her arms lay supple by her sides, her palms toward the ceiling.
"Excellent. Now, take deep, slow breaths, in and out, as I say. In... Out... In... Out..."
Georgia's pattern of breathing gradually lengthened and her bosom soon rose and fell in synchronicity with the doctor's slowly intoned commands. Dr. Meister noted the pleasing shape of Georgia's figure as she breathed.
"Now, Ms. Townes, focus on your pelvis, hips and thighs. Let your pelvis feel free of tension and internal clenching. Let the muscles in your thighs relax completely. Allow your feet to roll outwards. Let your toes curl and relax, then feel how your entire body eases into total relaxation."
"Feel your body fully and utterly relaxed. It feels so good, doesn't it? So wonderful to be so deeply relaxed in such a safe place. You know you are completely safe here. You can trust your Doctor. You need to only relax, to reply truthfully and do as I request. Relax."
"Try not to follow any thoughts. Let them go. Concentrate only on my voice. Do not fall asleep. You need only respond to my voice. Follow only my commands. Open to me, so that I may help you. Let me know that you understand, Georgia."
"I understand," Georgia softly, sleepily replied.
"Raise your right arm, Ms. Townes."
Georgia did so.
"Good. Now bring it down slowly by your side."
The patient obeyed the doctor's suggestion.
"Move your feet apart, so you are able to relax more completely."
