Break Point Down by Marthy Johnson

Author:Marthy Johnson
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Publication Consultants

Tess was emphatic on the phone.

“Counselors are not parents, Kitt,” she told him. “Get over that notion. They're professionals, or should be. They're not all good. And they're not all good for a particular person. If you didn't like that one, find another. Don't give up.”

“How many of these places can there be?”

“A lot. Keep trying till you find someone who gives you good vibes.”

“”I've met several, and they all had an agenda.”

“Then keep looking. Some will be like that, the ones who suggest more than listen. But you keep at it till you find one who cares but doesn't get all tied up with her emotionally.”

“How do I tell all that in one visit?”

“You can't, but you get an idea. I've sent you some stuff in the overnight mail—books, articles. There's a booklet that gives you some ideas on how to select a counselor. You can talk to the professional organizations, to doctors, to schools. Your own instincts are good. I made you a list of questions to ask. Ask if they work with the whole family, what their policy is about disclosure, group sessions or private ones, payment, confidentiality, parent involvement. Check out their attitude to you. It'll tell you the way they think. Are they patronizing, suspicious, or open and understanding? Do you feel put down or supported? Chances are she'll feel a lot like that. Have them discuss their therapies with you. Run if anyone promises a cure, especially within a particular time frame. Some states allow a grace period before disclosure. Some centers will do some anonymous counseling to keep them coming. Find out about all that. Ask a legal information service about disclosure laws. Get with it, Kitt.”

“Okay,” he said, somewhat chastened. “I'll do it. And thanks, Tess.”

“No problem. I'll call you later this week, see what you've got by then.”

The package arrived the next morning. For days he spent every free moment reading, recognizing Kari in many of the case studies, and regretfully, himself. How many times had he told her to shake it off and get on with her life? How many times had he been impatient with her guilt? Was he as callous as Laura, who trivialized Kari's pain? Tough luck, babe, just suck it up. First he'd contributed to the stress that had collapsed her world, then offered her a new and improved package and expected her to adopt it overnight and with the least possible fuss. Great, Buchanan. First you are her buddy. Then Mr. Fixit. And all the kid wanted was a dad.

Her guilt was real. Telling her she'd done no wrong wasn't going to make it go away. Well, that was old news. So how did you make it go away? Counseling, they kept saying. Every book said it, every magazine, every talk show guru. What could they say to her in counseling sessions that he couldn't say at home? Couldn't he get some training, so he could have the right answers for her? How hard could it be?

Plenty hard.

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