Healer Alexander Maybank sat at his desk, reading the letter that appeared on his desk. The letter, sent by his university roommate, Severus Snape, confirmed that he needed aid with his daughter, who, surprising to him, was the girl who lived, Elizabeth Evans.
Her trauma, from what Severus had described, was terribly deep rooted, which wasn't surprising with what Severus had written about. The girl had been starved, beaten and neglected. It was difficult to read about, but he had a duty to this girl and to Severus.
"Alyssa?" He called out the door to his receptionist. "Can you get in contact with Saundra Mullings?"
"Right away, Healer Maybank." There was the sound of heels clicking down the hallway, as Alexander leaned back against the back of his chair.
He was unsure as to how they were going to help this girl, with how she had been treated in the past. But if anyone could help this girl, it was Severus.
"You called for me?" a woman knocked on the open doorframe, coming into the room and sitting in one for the chairs in front of the desk.
"I did, Saundra. You know Severus Snape, right?"
"Vaguely. I've never met him, but I know of him. He's the potions master in Hogwarts, correct?"
"Yes he is. He's a good friend of mine, we went to Uni together, but that's not the point. The point is, his daughter has a lot of issues. Trauma issues, to be exact. According to the letter, his daughter is Elizabeth Evans."
"The girl who lived? I thought she was James Potter's child."
"So did I, but she's not. Either way, her relatives apparently beat and starved her since she was a baby. She got so anxious about being sent back to them that she made herself physically ill a day ago. She's terrified of strangers, she is terrified to sit on the furniture or to eat. She was beaten with a belt apparently a few days before Severus got her. She needs help, a lot of it. Severus said that she's willing to put in the work and I suggested that they go to you. After all, you are the leading expert in child trauma."
"I can help them. I will help them. I'll see them tomorrow at 3. My office? Or do you think I should go to them? Would a stranger in her house make her more nervous? Isn't Professor Snape a stranger to her?"
"Maybe you have your meeting in a neutral place? Perhaps a park? If I remember correctly, there's a little spot near Severus' house, with a playground and a soccer field. She's never been and neither have you, I'm guessing, so it might be better for the both of you. Just to meet, right? You won't be conducting any therapy, are you?"
"I just need to meet her, for the time being. See how serious they are with working with me. Mind healing is difficult. Therapy is part of it, but another part is… sort of reliving the trauma. You know this just as much as I do. There's a reason we are trained in Occlumency and Legilimency. I just don't want her signing up for more than she can handle."
"From the looks of it, she's suffering more than she ever will without healing. I mean, read this letter." He handed her the letter from Severus.
She took it from him, unfolding it to see spidery script going smoothly across the page. It read:
Alexander,
I am writing to you to ask you a very large favor. As it will no doubtingly reach the ears of the reporters of the Daily Prophet, my daughter, Elizabeth Evans, has reentered the wizarding world. While I would like to pretend that she is a normal eleven year old with normal eleven year old issues, I cannot, as it would be a disservice to her.
In short, her relatives treated her like a slave. As soon as she was able to reach the countertops, she was forced to cook, clean and care for a family that hated her and resented her for ever being born. Her oaf of an uncle beat her routinely and they starved her, to the point of malnourishment. Poppy and I have healed the physical and are working to get her weight up. You know as well as I do that she needs to be physically healthy to perform any magic properly. However, that is not my main concern.
She's terrified of people, to the point of working herself sick. I had a discussion with Albus, one I didn't wish for her to know the contents of, as is my right as an adult to have private conversations. However, the wording of 'you need not worry" caused her to work herself up so much that she made herself physically ill. She hates the idea of being cared for, is always checking my moods, tiptoeing around the house, barely using the furniture and she's been flinching at the slightest noise. Last night, I put a pot on the stove a little too forcefully and I thought she was about to wet herself; she was so scared.
She is terrified of the kitchen, or rather going into the kitchen without me there. I caught her drinking from the faucet to fill her stomach, rather than eating because she could hide the fact she had water easier than if she ate food. I'm terrified this relationship with food is going to turn into an eating disorder down the line. I am at my wit's end, not knowing how to help her other than from my own trauma, but how much longer will that be helpful?
I was hoping you would be able to suggest a good mind healer. I would appreciate a woman; I don't think she's too trusting of men right now, even though she is at least tolerant of me but if you know someone who has loads of experience working with abused children, gender is not an issue.
Thank you very much,
Pro. Severus Snape
"And you suggested me?" she folded the letter and put it back on the desk. "I'm flattered you think so highly of my skills."
"I did. You're the best in the field, and Saundra, this girl needs help. Now and fast."
"Alright, let them know I'll meet them tomorrow at 3. That's the only time I'll be able to see her till next week. We can discuss where we meet and what her needs are there."
Alexander nodded, reaching for parchment to share the news.
*S*S*
"Sir?" Elizabeth knocked on the basement door timidly, holding a letter that had been dropped off in the kitchen by a tawny owl in her hand. She knew the basement rules, she knew she was allowed to go down as long as she was slow and quiet, but for some reason, the basement seemed like her father's space, not her's. It was like her uncle's office. Even though she cleaned the rest of the house before she moved to this house, her aunt was the only person allowed to clean the study. Even Dudley wasn't allowed in the room, though he often threw temper tantrums about it. Elizabeth was glad it was one less room to clean, but now that feeling of off limits was being portrayed into the lower level of the house, making her heart rate go up.
When she didn't hear an answer, she opened the door, poking her head into the stairwell. "Sir, a letter came for you!" She called, but no one said anything back.
She began to go down the stairs, being careful to go slow, remembering the warning she was given about the basement the first day she was in the house. Carefully, she stepped off the stairs, placing her feet on the cool concrete, the cold penetrating through her socks. "Sir?" She called once more, before she finally decided to find him herself. There was nothing in the main room off the stairs with the exception of boxes labeled 'Eileen's winter clothing 1976' and 'Tobias' weight set', among others. Elizabeth didn't know who Eileen and Tobias were or why their things were being stored there, but she didn't have time to think about that. She wanted to get in and out of the basement as fast as possible.
The first door she investigated was the entrance to the laundry room, which was void of anyone. By the looks of the few articles of clothing and the baskets that were on top of an ancient looking dryer, no one had been in that room for a few days. She sighed and resigned herself to the fact that he was most likely in the laboratory she was hoping to never enter, not wanting to break any rules.
She tiptoed over to the door, knocking once, pressing her ear to the wood to see if she could hear footsteps, but there was nothing. Gathering her courage, she opened the door and her ears were assaulted with a wall of sound. She was taken aback by the volume of the rock music blasting and ventured into the room, closing the door behind her.
"Sir?" She cried over the noise, coming up to the table he was standing at, bent over a cauldron. When he saw her, he started a little, before going over to the stereo to turn the music off hastily. Elizabeth noted how quiet the room was now without the deafening music.
"Elizabeth, are you alright?"
"Yes, I'm fine, but," She held out the letter. "this came for you just now. I didn't know if it was important or…"
Severus smirked and gestured to one of the lab stools while he went to the sink to wash his hands. "While I appreciate the gesture, the mail can wait upstairs until I'm done here. I was almost finished."
"I called for you." She shrugged. "I think your music was too loud though." She climbed onto the lab stool and knelt on the seat, looking into the cauldron like he was, leaving the letter on the table.
"I suppose it was. I'm sorry I didn't hear you." He dried his hands and went to the table. "Let me see the letter." He took her shoulders and pushed her back. "Stop, don't lean over like that, you might fall."
"I just wanted to see…"
Severus chuckled. "I know, but potion making is dangerous. That's why I do it down here, not in our kitchen." He held his hand out for the letter. "When you begin taking potions lessons, if you want, you can practice down here in the summer with me."
"Promise?" She handed him the letter, sitting down on her bottom, rather than her knees.
"Yes I promise." Severus leaned against the table, carefully opening the letter.
"Pinky promise?" Elizabeth held out her pinky, not noticing her father's confused but amused look.
He put down the letter that was now out of the envelope and turned to face her fully. "I pinky promise." He looped his pinky in her's, giving it a bit of a squeeze.
He went to let go, but Elizabeth stuck out another finger, this one a little more inappropriate than the other. "Elizabeth…" He began, but she cut him off.
"You have to middle finger promise because pinkies can't swear. But you have to do a pinky promise because it's tradition." She looked at his expectantly.
He complied, wondering where she got the ideas for that. It had to be some hold over from Muggle school, but she didn't talk about having any friends, so he was a little confused as to how she knew such a ritual. However, he didn't release her hand until she was ready, knowing that, at least from the little he knew about being a parent, when a child makes contact with you, you let them be the first to pull away.
As if she could read his mind, she let his hand go, holding her hands in her lap. "My friend Jenny and I used to do that all the time."
"What? Pinky promises?"
"Yeah… She was my only friend at school. She was the weird girl that no one liked, but so was I, so we became friends. I'm going to miss seeing her in the fall."
Severus smiled and came around the table to sit next to her in another stool. "If you want, we can take a drive to Surrey sometime this summer and you can see her before Hogwarts starts. Do you know her phone number? You can give her a call with the phone in the kitchen anytime."
"Really? Do you mean that?" She got excited, more excited than Severus had seen her before. "I know her number. Her mom used to make me lunches when she found out my aunt and uncle weren't feeding me. She would send them to school with Jenny and we would eat lunch with our art teacher so Dudley wouldn't see us."
"Would he take your lunch?" Severus turned so his whole body was facing her.
"Yeah and he would tell my aunt and uncle I stole food, even though I didn't. He got me in a lot of trouble because he didn't like me that much." She shrugged. "I don't suppose it matters much now, now that I don't live there anymore."
"But it's still something you have to deal with internally. But we're going to get you the help you need." He pulled the letter over and opened it, skimming the contents. "And we're in luck. Saundra Mullings has agreed to be your healer and wants to meet you tomorrow at 3."
"Really?"
"Mhmm." Severus continued to read. "And she doesn't want to intimidate you, so she wants to meet at the park down the street, so that you both are on neutral ground."
"I don't mind going to her office if that works best for her." Elizabeth leaned forward to see the letter.
"Are you comfortable with that? She can come here to the house, it says, or you can meet her in a more public place until you get to know her."
"She can come here?" Elizabeth perked up, which Severus noticed. He was glad that she was becoming more comfortable here, or at least she felt safe.
"If that makes you the most comfortable, I don't see why not." Severus waved his wand and summoned paper and a quill. "I'm going to confirm the appointment with her to make sure she comes to speak to us. We can talk about details tomorrow with Ms. Mullings, alright?" She watched as he folded the letter and tucked it into an envelope, sending it away with a wave of his hand. "Now, why don't you run upstairs and find something to amuse yourself with until I come back up?" He posed it as a question, but Elizabeth knew he wasn't asking.
"Yes sir." She slid off the stool and went to the door, turning back to see him heading back to the radio. As she pulled the door open and began to leave, ACDC's 'Back in Black' resumed, the door vibrating in her hands as she pulled it closed behind her.
*S*S*
Later that night, after Elizabeth had been fed, teeth had been brushed and goodnights had been said, she laid awake, her anxiety coming in waves. She was nervous for the next day, not sure what therapy would be like. Severus had assured her that he would not leave her side unless she asked, which made her feel a little better, but she had still been too nervous to eat much at suppertime as her father would have liked.
She thought about sneaking out of bed to get something to eat, now that she was getting peckish, but Severus had yet to come back upstairs from the living room, where he had been the night before until nearly midnight. She could hear the low hum of a television, a light murmur of voices drifting up from the stairwell to her bedroom, where the door was cracked slightly. She wasn't sure over the past two days if the television in the corner of the living room worked and Severus had never addressed it, so she never asked. After all, she hadn't watched much of the telly in her aunt and uncle's home, unless it was while she was getting snacks for her relatives before she went into her cupboard once more. Until he came to bed, she was going to remain in her room before she attempted to get up. After what felt like years, she heard the television click off and her father's footsteps begin to ascend the stairs.
She hastily shut her eyes as Severus poked his head into her room, forcing her breathing to even out as if she was asleep. She heard him walk into the room and felt the bed dip as he sat on the side, brushing her hair out of her eyes. Elizabeth then felt him kiss her forehead before he got up once more, leaving for his own bedroom.
After a moment, Elizabeth opened her eyes and sat up, throwing her legs over the side, sticking her feet in her slippers. She waited, listening to Severus putter around his room before all noise stopped and Elizabeth stood, carefully walking to the door, pushing it open and sneaking into the hallway. She had figured out the squeaking spots on the stairs, avoiding them as she crept into the kitchen.
Breathing a sigh of relief, she went into the pantry, looking at the meticulous way Severus had organized the snacks. Taking a container of crisps, she tore off some paper towels, so that she would not have to try to do any dishes, and therefore, she would be less likely to be caught. Taking some of the crisps out, she laid them on the towel, before she tucked the container back, then she shut the doors silently.
Going into the fridge, she quickly made a sandwich, cleaning up the crumbs from the counter. Shutting the fridge with her foot, Elizabeth leaned against the counter to eat, not wanting to risk pulling out a chair and having it squeak across the floor.
She was halfway through her snack when the floor by the stairs creaked, but Elizabeth thought it might be the house settling as Dursley home often did. She ignored it for the time being, waiting to see if the noise happened again, picking at the bread crumbs that were on the towel.
"What are you doing out of bed?" Severus' voice was soft as he came into the kitchen. He turned the light on, the overhead bulb washing the room in bright light.
Elizabeth jumped, her head whipping around to see her father standing in the doorway, his hair and clothes looking like he hadn't even gotten into bed, his pajamas unwrinkled and his hair unmussed.
"Oh, I ummm…"
"Elizabeth, why are you out of bed?" He looked down and noticed the food in front of her. "Why didn't you say you were hungry before I sent you to bed?"
"I didn't want to get in trouble…" She looked down at her hands, not wanting to make eye contact with him.
"You will never get in trouble for being hungry." He tutted, going to the fridge to pour her a glass of pumpkin juice. "Here you go."
"You aren't going to yell at me?"
"Not for this. But I would appreciate if you came to me next time. I wasn't sure if it was you or an intruder." He went around to the other side of the island she was eating at, resting his elbows on the countertop. "Why didn't you eat more at supper?"
Elizabeth played with the sandwich, not wanting to say the wrong thing. "I just wasn't hungry then, sir."
"Elizabeth, please. It's very late. What's going on in that head of yours?"
Elizabeth fidgeted once more before she took a sip of pumpkin juice to calm her nerves. "I… I'm nervous about the meeting with Ms. Mullings tomorrow."
"Child, you don't need to be nervous. I'll be right there with you. We are just meeting her, to see if she's a good fit for you and if you even like her." He reached over the counter and patted her hand. "There won't be any sort of digging tomorrow, I promise."
She smiled, taking a bite of the sandwich she had made, washing it down with juice. "What if she doesn't like me?"
"What do you mean?" Severus looked very confused, not sure what she meant.
"I'm a freak, what if she-"
"Okay, stop. You are not a freak. Who told you that?" Severus came around the counter and put his hands on her shoulders, dipping to look her in the eyes.
"Aunt Petunia." She whispered. "But she was right, I am a freak." She shook her head a little, not wanting to make eye contact with him, but he kept following her eyes.
"No, you aren't. You are a bright, kind and wonderful young lady. You have dealt with so much pain, but it has not affected your character and who you are as a person. That is a testament to who you are. I love you, my child and I will not stand for you tearing into yourself like this. The things your aunt and uncle have said to you have nothing to do with who you are. They were wrong to treat you the way they did and I'm so sorry that you had to endure it."
Elizabeth nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "You said I wasn't going to have to do any therapy today and since its past midnight, you lied to me. I should have made you pinky promise."
Severus chuckled and pulled her into his arms. "I'm sorry, love. I'll refrain next time." He kissed her forehead and then wiped her cheeks free of the tears that had slipped down her face. "Now, I think you should finish that sandwich and then we can get you tucked back into bed." He released her and gestured to the sandwich on the counter.
She finished what was left of her food and rinsed out her glass, leaving it on the drying rack before allowing him to wrap an arm around her shoulders, leading her up the stairs to her room.
"Now when I tuck you in this bed, are you going to stay there for the rest of the night?" Severus teased, pulling the covers back, waiting for her to climb in and lay down. Pulling the covers around her shoulders, he smoothed the blankets, sitting down next to her as she closed her eyes.
"Yes sir, I will." She said sleepily, snuggling into the mattress.
Severus smiled and took her glasses off her face, folding the stems and putting them on the bedside table. "Good. While I don't mind getting up in the middle of the night if you need me, I did think that the days of being up all night with you were behind us."
"What do you mean?" She yawned, cracking her eyes open.
"When you were a baby, you were up all night crying, because that's just what babies do. I stayed up with you then and I'll do it now if you need me to. But I had thought that these days were behind us." He bent and kissed her forehead.
"I'm not a baby," she muttered, her voice getting weaker as she slipped into sleep.
"Well, not matter how old you get, you will always be my baby." He smiled and went to get up and go back to his room. "Sleep now, I'll wake you for breakfast."
"Mmkay." She replied, then fell asleep, not watching as Severus left the room and partically shut the door.
*S*S*
"What if she doesn't like me?" Elizabeth fidgeted with her shirt hem in anxiety, digging her toe in the carpet.
"Nonsense. She would be a fool not to." Severus checked his watch. "Come now, put your shoes on. We need to get going or we'll be late."
He waited for Elizabeth to put her shoes on before he led her out of the house, locking the door behind them. Taking her hand, he led her to the street, walking with her to the park a few blocks away from their home.
"When I talk to Jenny again, can we come here to play?"
"I don't see why not, love." Severus bought her to a cluster of picnic tables that were unoccupied by the families around them, waiting with her for the mind healer.
Elizabeth looked around as they waited, spying a soccer field in the corner and a set of playground equipment on the other side. This would be a fine place for her and Jenny to run around and she was excited to talk to her again.
After few more minutes, the father daughter pair were approached by a young woman dressed in blue jeans and a nice top, carrying a briefcase.
"Hello, Elizabeth? Professor Snape?" The woman held out her hand to the both of them. "My name is Saundra Mullings. Can I sit down?"
Elizabeth nodded, looking down at her folded hands, not wanting to look her in the eyes. Saundra was not phased, however and smiled warmly, sitting across from the two.
"Elizabeth, are you going to greet her?" Severus gestured with his hand, causing Elizabeth to look up and give her a shy smile, not sure how to greet someone who was going to learn all your secrets.
"Hi." She said quietly, ducking her head once more.
"Hello, Ms. Mullings," Severus said, sticking his hand out as she had, shaking the woman's hand. "It was so good of you to meet us here today."
"Of course, it's no issue at all!" She put her bag on the bench beside her, turning her attention to the pair. "I suspect you have some questions for me?" Saundra reached into her bag and took out a pen and paper.
"Yes I do." Severus said. "First and foremost, we are looking for confidentiality. You can promise that any meeting we have will be kept private? Not just the material that has been discussed, but the fact that my daughter is the girl who lived. I'm sure she would rather it not be public knowledge that she is getting mental health help at this time." He looked at Elizabeth, who nodded, looking up from her hands to watch the woman jot down notes in her notebook.
"Yes, that is part of my policy. I do not discuss names with my colleagues when I am asking for advice on situations and this is all depending on the type of help you need, Elizabeth. Some of my patients need art therapy or music therapy, and those types of things require that I confer with my colleagues. You might only need to talk through things with me, but as we move forward with this process, we can figure out together that help that you need. This whole experience is going to be dictated by you." She smiled. "There is going to be quite a bit of work on your part, Elizabeth. I need full honesty and a willingness to work. I'm not going to lie to you. There are parts of this that are going to be harder than others. When you discuss trauma, it can be hard to relive, but that's why therapy is helpful. My job will be to help you find ways to overcome and cope with what you have experienced and to help you get on the right track to heal."
"What's going to happen when I go to school?" Elizabeth said quietly, turning her attention to Severus.
"We can cross that bridge when we get there-" He stopped talking as Saundra cut him off with a wave of her hand, dismissing his own dismissal.
"No, no, that's a good question. I can come to you there and we can use an unused classroom or maybe go outside and talk. Or if you are comfortable, you can come to my office. We will work around your schedule to find the time to have sessions. As we get into the school year, I can also help you manage any stress that you may be under with the workload and I can give you tips to stay organized should you need it."
Elizabeth smiled, nodding a little. "That sounds okay."
"I'm glad. I really want to help, Elizabeth. I think that because you are so ready and willing to work, we're going to make some good progress. But I can only put in the work if you're willing to do the same. I can't force you to want this."
"I do want to do this." She took a breath and looked at Severus. "I really want to do this."
"Alright, we can do this." Severus turned back to Saundra and folded his hands. "Now, I will admit, I am quite new to being a father. The last time I acted as a father, I was taking care of an infant. I'm not sure what my role in this is, other than signing the checks."
"Good question. Support, mainly. I will not be telling you anything that she tells me, unless she gives me permission to do so or she is in danger of hurting herself. Everything she says is completely confidential, and there may be a time where she wants to talk to you about her struggles and about the successes that she has."
"Wait, you won't tell him anything?" Elizabeth's brow furrowed, clearly confused. "But that doesn't seem right."
"If you want to share what we talk about and if you want to have a discussion with him following our sessions, then you are allowed to do so." Saundra smiled and gestured to Severus. "I'm sure he would like to hear what progress you've made, but you aren't forced to talk about it once you've talked to me. And you don't have to tell me anything either. The sessions are for you to talk about what you want to talk about. I'm just going to guide you to find your own conclusions and to help you make sense of your feelings."
She shifted and pulled out a series of papers and a pen. "Now, if we are doing this, there is some legal stuff we do need to go through. As a warning, it's a lot, and it will seem to drone on forever, but it protects me and it informs you of your rights. Now to start, we need to talk about what psychotherapy is, alright?" She addressed Elizabeth. "It varies depending on the personality of both the therapist and the patient and the particular problems that the patient brings. There are many different methods I may use to deal with the problems that you hope to address, okay?"
Elizabeth nodded, leaning into Severus' side as they listened.
"Psychotherapy is not like a medical doctor visit; it calls for an active effort on the part of the patient. Psychotherapy can aid you in discovering tools and techniques that can be utilized to improve the quality of your life and your relationships. Psychotherapy involves change, which may feel threatening not only to you but also to those people close to you. The prospect of giving up old habits, no matter how destructive or painful, can often make you feel very vulnerable." She put the papers down for a moment and gave the girl before her a kind smile. "Any questions so far?"
"I don't think so."
"Alright, so going on…The process can include experiencing feelings like sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, and fear and making changes that you did not originally intend. Like any professional service, therapy may not work, and for a relatively small number of people, problems may get worse. Even so, many people find that therapy is worth the discomfort they feel. Therapy often leads to better relationships, solutions to specific problems, and significant reductions in feelings of distress. There are no guarantees of what you will experience. As the patient involved in this process, you have the right to ask me about my professional experience, background, and theoretical orientation. As the therapist, I am offering the following information regarding the therapeutic relationship in response to frequently asked questions."
"I have a question, if I may, but Alexander Maybank is one of my closest friends and he offered you as the best fit. Why do you think he did so?"
"I am an expert in child's phycology and in trauma. I am one of the leading masters in Occlumency and Legilimency and I graduated top of my class in both Hogwarts and in university. I work well with children and I am one of the heads of my department which makes me a better fit for a Hogwarts student who may need me to be more flexible and I do make my own schedule, which would be a better fit for you and Elizabeth here."
"I see. How many years have you been working as a mind healer, then?"
"14. I started when I was 21." She pointed her pen at Severus. "I think I remember you from school, but you're a few years younger than me. Slytherin, right?"
"Yes, that's correct. You were a Ravenclaw, if I'm not mistaken."
"Nice memory. I remember your wife I think more than you, but I certainly remember you hanging around Slughorn's classroom, trying to get extra brewing time." She smirked as Severus looked a little uncomfortable.
"Late wife, but yes, Lily was much more social than I was."
Saundra slapped herself in the forehead with the palm of her hand. "It slipped my mind, sorry, I didn't mean to offend."
"No, you didn't. It's easy to forget with how long its been." Severus wrapped an arm around his daughter. "I am not offended in the slightest. Shall we continue?"
"Yes of course." She continued reading. "Initially, we will meet to evaluate the problems that bring you to therapy and I will give you some initial impressions of the kind of treatment that would be helpful to you. Remember how I mentioned music and art therapy? That might be helpful to you or maybe not, but we'll figure it out as we go."
Elizabeth nodded once more, trying to remember everything that was being said.
"During the first few sessions, you should be thinking about whether you feel comfortable working with me. Because therapy may involve a substantial commitment of time, money, and energy, it is important that you feel comfortable with the therapist you choose. If you decide that you are not comfortable working with me, I would be happy to help you find another therapist. If you do decide to work with me, we will develop goals and a treatment plan together. If we decide that group therapy is appropriate, I will give you a separate group contract, which we will discuss." Saundra smiled at her. "I don't think you want to try group therapy, right? At least not now?"
The young girl shook her head, looking like she would rather be anywhere but group therapy. Saundra understood. They usually only used group therapy for those who suffered from addictions and the like.
"Once psychotherapy is initiated we will decide on a regular schedule of meetings; usually at least one session a week. You may discontinue therapy at any time, though I strongly encourage you to discuss it with me first. I can provide you with referrals to other therapists if that seems needed." She looked up from the paper. "Does that all make sense so far?"
When they gave their consent, she turned her full attention to Severus. "This section pertains mostly to Dad, so I'm going to give you a copy of this." She gave him a set of papers like the ones she was reading from. "So…let's see… Okay, my basic fee for a psychotherapy session is 10 galleons, 12 sickles. The initial two evaluation sessions are each 12 galleons, 9 sickles. Payment must be made by cash or check at the time services are rendered, unless we agree otherwise or unless you have insurance coverage that requires another agreement." She reached over and circled the two prices on his page. "Now, this meeting is going to be free, due to the circumstances, alright? The next time I meet with you to do her psych eval, I will have to charge, so it will just be a one-time fee of the 12 galleons, 9 sickles."
Severus nodded, scanning his eyes over the page. "For each of her sessions, we pay for them before she sees you or after?"
"Whichever works best for you. We can set up a payment plan where you pay twice a month, or once a month. It's up to you and what works best for your family. Also if you have insurance, they might be able to cover the costs for you. Wizarding health insurance is far better than the muggles have ever had, in my opinion. My office can run the numbers for you and get back to you if you have insurance?"
"We do." Severus patted his pockets before noticing she was offering him her pen. "Thank you." He wrote the insurance name and policy number on her notebook, circling it to make sure she didn't lose it.
"We can run these numbers for you and get back to you tomorrow with an updated price."
"As a warning, as I am not sure if will come up, I haven't added Elizabeth to my health insurance yet. Legally, she is still on her aunt and uncle's policy, but the headmaster is rectifying that for us, and she will be covered by my policy by the week's end."
Saundra smiled. "Not an issue, we'll run the numbers as if she is on your policy." She made a note in her book. "Now, periodically my fees increase due to inflation and cost of living increases. Services provided outside of regularly scheduled appointments such as report writing, preparation of records or treatment summaries, extended phone consultations, and the time spent performing any other service you may request of me are prorated. In the unusual circumstance that you are involved in a legal proceeding that requires my participation, you will be expected to pay for all of my professional time, including preparation and transportation costs, even if I am called to testify by another party.
"Because of the complexity and difficulty of legal involvement I charge a separate legal fee." She made a bit of a face and shook her head. "I doubt that's going to happen, but if it does, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. Unless you intend on going around robbing banks?" She directed her question to Elizabeth, who smiled and laughed lightly.
"No, Ms. Mullings, I didn't."
"Well, let's keep it that way. And call me Saundra, dear. Moving on, please notify me a week in advance if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment. Insurance companies cannot be billed, and will not pay, for missed or late-cancelled appointments. Unless you give me 48-hours notice, and without exception, missed or canceled appointments will incur the usual charge of 10 galleons, 12 sickles."
"We have to pay for missed appointments? That doesn't make sense."
"Well, if you miss an appointment, that's a time slot that someone else could have had. So a lot of doctors make you pay for the time they lost. It keeps our lights on."
"Then we can't miss an appointment!" Elizabeth turned to Severus, aghast. Surprisingly to her, Severus laughed.
"Rennie, sometimes life gets in the way. People get busy and forget. It happens." He ruffled her hair. "Don't worry about that. Money is for me to worry about and as your father, making sure you get to medical appointments is too."
Elizabeth didn't seem so sure, but she eventually shrugged, turning back to Saundra.
"Now we already talked about this, but I do have to go over this for legal reasons. Your therapy will include talking over very private things with me. To some extent my ability to help you will depend on how open you can be about yourself – your ideas, feelings, and actions. So that you can feel free to talk openly with a psychologist and so that your right to privacy is protected, the law makes it a psychologist's duty to keep patient information confidential.
"This means that, with some very limited exceptions, I cannot reveal information about your to anyone else or send out information about you without your permission. If we become involved in family or couple's therapy and you want to have my records of this therapy sent to someone, all of the adults present will have to sign a release. If you ever want me to share information with someone else, for example, your physician, I ask that you sign a written Authorization form that meets certain legal requirements imposed by HIPAA. We will talk about this before you sign the consent. There are other situations that require only that you provide written, advance consent. Your signature on this Agreement provides consent for those activities."
Saundra laid the paper down and pulled out a paper, sliding it to Severus. "This is a release form for her records. Legally, even though she is a child, I cannot share anything with you unless she puts you on this list because of her aunt and uncle. This also will protect you, Elizabeth, from them coming and trying to get your records. If they are not on the record as having access, then they will be turned away." She handed the two a pen, waiting until Elizabeth added her father's name and signed it, pushing it over to her father to sign.
"If you are under seventeen years of age, please be aware that the law may provide your parents the right to examine your treatment records. It is my policy to request an agreement from parents that they agree to give up access to your records. If they agree, I will provide them only with general information about our work together, unless I feel there is a high risk that you will seriously harm yourself or someone else. In this case, I will notify them of my concern. However, before giving them any information, I will, if possible, discuss the matter with you." She handed Severus another document, which he checked off the box waiving the rights and signed, giving it back to her.
"There are exceptions to confidentiality that you should know about. Please note that while most of these situations are rare, they are important for you to understand. Exceptions to confidentiality include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. If you threaten to harm someone else, I am required under the law to take steps to inform the intended victim and appropriate law enforcement agencies.
2. If you threaten to cause severe harm to yourself, I am permitted to reveal information to others if I believe it is necessary to prevent the threatened harm.
3. If you reveal or I have reasonable suspicion that any child, elderly person, or incompetent person is being abused or neglected, the law requires that I report this to the appropriate county agency.
4. If a court of law orders me to release information, I am required to provide that specific information to the court.
5. If you have been referred to me by a court of law for therapy or testing, the results of the treatment or tests ordered may have to be revealed to the court.
6. If you are or become involved in any kind of lawsuit or administrative procedure (such as worker's compensation), where the issue of your mental health is involved, you may not be able to keep your records or therapy private in court.
7. If you see me in couples, group, or family therapy, I ask that each member of the therapy promise to keep whatever happens in treatment confidential. However, I cannot guarantee that others will keep this agreement.
8. In order to provide you the best treatment I can, there will be times when I may seek consultation from another licensed mental health professional. In these consultations, I make every effort to avoid revealing your identity. The consultant is also legally bound to keep the information confidential, although the exceptions to confidentiality apply to them as well. Similarly, when I am away or unavailable, my practice is covered by a licensed therapist. I may inform the on-call therapist about your situation to facilitate your getting appropriate support should you need it in my absence."
Saundra smiled, noting that Elizabeth was starting to lose focus. "I know you're getting tired, Elizabeth, but we're nearly done, I promise. We're on the last page."
Saundra began to read quicker, trying to get through the information out before Elizabeth really lost her focus.
"While this written summary of exceptions to confidentiality should prove helpful in informing you about potential problems, it is important that we discuss any of your questions or concerns as soon as possible. The laws and rules on confidentiality are complicated. Please bear in mind that I am not able to give you legal advice. If you are in a situation in which you need advice regarding special or unusual concerns, I strongly suggest that you talk to a lawyer to protect your interests."
"So far, are there anymore questions?" Saundra looked from father to daughter, the latter with her head on the older man's shoulder, beginning to nod off. "Elizabeth, sweetheart, I need you to wake up and listen. I have three more paragraphs to get through, and I need you to listen."
Severus patted her hip and got her to stand. "We'll be right back." Severus stood with her, taking her for a turn around the park.
"How are you feeling about all this?" he asked, wrapping his arm around her shoulders.
"Good," she yawned. "I'm sorry I'm so tired."
"Don't be." He took out his pocket watch for a moment before he clicked it shut. "It's nearly 5, so with any luck, we'll be home soon."
"I really like her." Elizabeth leaned into his side as they walked around the path, falling into step together.
"I'm glad. I'm very proud of you for wanting to get help."
Elizabeth smiled, pulling away from her father to skip down the path, twirling around. "Can we eat outside tonight?'
"What?" Severus laughed, watching his daughter.
"Can we eat outside?" She repeated. "I saw the patio furniture and was wondering if we could use it?"
"I don't see why not." Severus was surprised she was even asking. His daughter barely spoke unless she was prompted, save the trip to Diagon Alley, but if she was beginning to open up, he wasn't going to stop her. The furniture in question was left over from his mother's home renovation, and he rarely ever used it and if he was being honest with himself, he forgot he even had it. "What do you want for dinner?"
"Can we have breakfast for dinner?" She stopped twirling and looked at him expectantly.
"If that's what you want, then yes, we can have breakfast for dinner. Now come, we need to conclude this meeting."
The pair went back to the table where Saundra waited, writing notes in her book. When they came back and sat down, she stopped, closing the notebook and picking up the papers once more.
"Ready to continue?" She said, her voice bright.
"Yes Ms. Mull-Saundra." Elizabeth answered, her face flushing as she nearly called her by her surname.
"Alright, where did we leave off? Oh yes! If you are considering bringing your child to me for therapy- This is for you Severus, but I don't think it applies unless you get remarried, that person adopts your daughter and then you get divorced- then I will always ask whether you are separated or divorced and whether a legal decision has been made about legal custody and physical custody of the child. Except in an emergency, if parents have joint legal custody then I contact the other parent and obtain their consent before I begin to see the child in therapy. In most places, this is a legal requirement - when parents have joint legal custody then both parents must consent to the treatment."
"You were right, that didn't pertain to me at all." Severus laughed a little, shaking his head.
"Legally, I have to say it, just in case. Now to wrap this up and then you can sign my copy, if this is still something you want to do, I encourage you to ask any questions you have about therapy, about my professional background, and about what you have read in this agreement. In the unlikely event that problems arise during treatment that we cannot resolve together, I can refer you to other therapists for a consultation." She passed the document to Severus who signed in his places and then he passed it to Elizabeth, who signed on her own.
"So, I think meeting once a week is best? I can see you both next week on Thursday and maybe we can keep Thursdays from now on, at least until you get your school schedule?"
"Sounds good to me!" Elizabeth nodded eagerly, watching as the adults shook hands and Saundra waved to her, leaving them both as the two groups parted ways. Severus reached out his hand one more, taking it before he led her to the gate of the park, walking with her down the street to their home.
"Can we have waffles tonight?" Elizabeth asked, swinging their hands between them as they walked.
"I think that can be arranged. We could, if you want, light a fire in the firepit in the garden tonight, if you want to spend our after dinner time outside."
The look of delight on her face he could only equate to one receiving a million galleons.
