The two of us came. Husband and wife. First time for me. I am tired (5th consultation), hungry, and for some reason, calm and unperturbed.
— My first time with a psychologist! the man says angrily. The jaws are walking. All kind of showing «What the hell.» My wife persuaded me!
— And?
— What and?! We have a son. I have. Moron! he fires up.
“A moron is a psychiatric diagnosis,” I say wearily. — Is your son a moron in this sense?
The man is already looking at me like I’m a moron. Then he looks at his wife with a dumb question: “Who did you bring me to, finally?!!!”
She huddled, sits on the edge of the chair, averts her eyes. Hands clasped between knees.
He frowns in annoyance, turns to me, is silent. Me too. Can’t stand it. Angry even more.
«You’re like a psychologist, right?» Hm. So tell me then what should I do with it?
— With whom?
— With son!!!!
— And what happened to him?
The man rolls his eyes, surprised at my stupidity and inability to read minds. Again he turns to his wife with an expression: “Where did you find this fool?” But the wife is an experienced fighter, she sits without looking up, and only by the way her face turns pale, I understand that all her strength went into bringing her husband to me.
— He does not see the coast, you know. brat. 14 years old and acting like…
— How?
— Come home. After work. The shoes are in the middle of the rug. I told him: “Do you know anything in this life? At least put your shoes back in place.» I told him a hundred times, put your shoes on the side, but no, like a moron, he does not understand anything. Everything in life comes easily. The phone is broken. Do not appreciate. Doesn’t share anything with me. Mothers are rude. Doesn’t do anything at home. All words are like peas on the wall. No shame, no conscience. And so, how, how to behave with him?! How to find a common language. You are a psychologist, well, advise !!! Do you have a prescription?
“Yes,” I answer, violating all the canons of psychological counseling.
— Is there a solution?
“Yes,” I am even more stunned by my impudence.
You see, there is an algorithm for psychological counseling. Especially the first one. And I was taught that the first meeting is the collection of information, the definition of the request, the establishment of contact. There is no talk of any therapy. Especially about any decision. What came over me…
— Did I understand correctly that you do not know how to talk with your son and cannot find a common language with him?
— Well, yes, he did!
There is a solution, very simple. But I don’t know if you can handle it,” I say with absolutely sincere doubt.
— Well? Speak!
“It is not to be said, it is to be done.
— What to do?
— What is your son’s name?
— Anton.
And then I’m completely grumpy (colleagues will understand what I mean), I take out a sheet of paper, write a marker on it “son Anton, 14 years old”, put it in the far corner of the office and invite the man to imagine his son standing on this sheet.
— Happened? I ask
— Yes
“Now, with slow steps, approach the leaf, stand on it, enter the image of your son and become him.
With obvious doubt on his face, he does so. Closes eyes.
«Now tell me how you feel?»
— Loneliness is terrible. Tears in throat. I want to cry.
— From what?
— Out of resentment. Everyone is twitching and squirming. That’s not right, that’s it. I don’t want to live. I’m like a freak for everyone.
— For whom for all?
— Well, for everyone.
— For whom?
— Well, father.
— What would you like from him?
— To praise at least once. He asked how are you. To not yell. To … I’m also a man to be proud of me.
— Inhale and as you exhale, exit the sheet.
The man silently approaches the chair, sits down. Silence. The woman wipes her tears.
“I understand everything,” he suddenly said quietly, almost in a whisper. — Got it. I also felt small. And only reproaches from the father. Now I do the same. I understood everything. Thank you.
Both his eyes and his wife’s are green. Clear. And his ears are kind, touching …
18 minutes all lasted. First time in my life.