Title: Therapy(Session 1)
Rating: K+ (rated E for everyone!)
Summary: House's counseling sessions at Mayfield
Words: 'bout 1,000
Disclaimer: Mine Mine Mine. Or not. Okay, I just asked House to come out and play with therapist is mine though.
Beta: Semi-beta'd by Belladionne - thanks! All remaining mistakes are mine and mine alone.
Warnings/Spoilers: Includes events through Season 5 Finale. I have no idea of what will happen in Season 6 as I try to stay unspoiled.
Feedback: Reviews are like Vicodin – addictive and pleasing.
Author's notes: Even though I hate being sucked into incomplete stories, I only have the first 2 sessions written and don't really know how many there will be. Let me know what you think and please be patient with me!
Music: Love Lockdown - Kanye West
Therapy: Starting at Square One
Gregory House?
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Come on in Gregory.
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Would you like to transfer out of the wheelchair and into a regular chair or stay in the wheelchair?
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OK, for now, why don't you stay in your wheelchair? If you decide you want to switch out, we can do that.
I want my cane back.
OK. Good. We have a goal now. Let's make sure you are a bit steadier on your feet and your meds and then I'll talk to the Physical Therapist about getting your cane back and out of that chair.
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So, Gregory. Or do you prefer Greg?
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Greg, you do know how this works, right? I ask some questions, you answer; I ask some more questions, we try to see what's really bugging you and work to make it so your life is better, so you can learn better ways to manage your pain, both the physical and the psychological pain.
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You know this is mandatory, right? Without my okay, you are not going to leave Mayfield. I need to see that you are working on managing your pain, your feelings, and your addictions.
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Greg – this works only if you actually talk with me. Staring off into the corner and ignoring me is NOT going to make this all just go away.
It's DOCTOR House. And I'm not an idiot.
I'm sorry – I didn't mean to imply that you were. I know you are a doctor, an esteemed and talented diagnostician, if I understand correctly. But we're not doing a DDX. We're just talking. What do your friends call you? If you don't want me to call you Greg, tell me what you would like me to call you and I will.
(Silence while they stare at each other.) … House. I've been called House for most my life. Only my mother calls me Greg… Stacey called me Greg too. Crandall called me G-Man in college; drove me nuts.
Good – ok, so House. How are you feeling right now?
(Pause as House looks away.) I was in pain when I woke up.
Sure, it was almost time for your pain meds, you knew that when you woke up and knew you were going to be in pain. But how are you feeling right now?
I'm going to be in pain later today. I'm always in pain. This isn't doing anything to help.
So you know the pain will be back later today. But Right NOW, right this very moment, does your leg hurt?
(Pauses to think about it; to assess the situation, and is surprised by his own answer.)
No. Right this very second actually, it doesn't hurt, at least, not too noticeably. Huh. I'm so used to just always being in pain.
Great. So let's keep in mind that right this very moment you are not in pain. Pain is not the ruler of your world, so let's put the pain behind us for a few minutes. Tell me about yourself, but not about the pain. How would someone else describe you?
Wilson once said that I don't like myself, but that I do admire myself. He's right, in way. I'm a top-notch diagnostician and people HAVE to listen to me. I MAKE them listen to me. Most people will tell you I'm an ass. I don't deny that either.
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But I'm also a miserable bastard. I know that. I get stuck on a puzzle and I want to, HAVE to, solve it. Doesn't matter who gets caught in the rubble.
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'Too brilliant for social niceties'…that's how one of my fellows introduced me to a patient once.
I would say I'm blunt. Social niceties are useless.
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Wilson also said that I spread misery, that it's the only thing I understand. That I have to be miserable.
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Cuddy will tell you that I destroy everyone around me.
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Foreman says I'm addicted to conflict.
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Is there anything you like about yourself?
I just said – I'm blunt, I'm a bastard, I'm an ass. What's not to love?
(Silence.)
I am…as God made me, as Wilson once told me.
How is the pain right now? Tolerable?
It's not too bad. I'll live for another few minutes without the pills.
Good – do you realize your next dose was supposed to be 2 hours ago? I'll talk to your doctor – make sure you get your pills, but perhaps we can spread the timing of them out a bit more. I know the physical pain is always with you, but maybe we can find a way to help you not feel so dependant on them to dull your psychological pain.
(Contemplates, and then nods abruptly.)
I think this has been a good start for us House.
I'd like you to start keeping a journal. Just keep track of your pain, what you're feeling, really, anything you want to include in it. Don't worry – I'm not asking you to write anything for me to read. This is for you, although, I hope that you would like to share your journal with me eventually.
Gee, do I get to draw unicorns and hearts and rainbows all over it too?
(Grinning) Think of it as a personal portable whiteboard. Use it as a way to sort out things, to organize your thoughts.
Thank you for working hard today – we'll talk again in another day or two, unless you want to talk sooner.