Therapist: So, Joanne, how are you?

P1: I don’t know. I’m okay, I guess.

Therapist: I’m sensing that you’re not exactly fine. Did something happen?
P1: Well, it’s just I’ve been feeling a bit down lately, and it’s making me unable to do
any of the usual things that I do. And now I also feel like I’m flunking in my
master’s.
Therapist: It seems like you’re going through something really complicated right now. Do
you know what’s causing it?
P1: I’m not sure. I feel like this usually happens around this time of year. It also
probably became worse after having a fight with my fiance. Maybe the pressures
that I also feel at home. I just feel so unhappy with the way things are.
Therapist: This time of year. Did you happen to notice how often it’s happened or how long
you feel this way?
P1: I feel like it’s been over a few years already. It usually lasts up to three months.
Therapist: So, it seems like what you’re going through may be a seasonal thing as well.
Whenever you felt this way those past year, did something trigger it? Like did
something happen or did it just feel that way?
P1: It usually just feel that way. It’s probably because of the cold weather and I can’t
go out. It’s just this time around when the sadness felt more unbearable for me.
Therapist: Mhm, well, I want you to know that it’s good that you came to see me for this
despite everything. Moving on, you mentioned you had a fight with your fiance.
Could you tell me more about that?
P1: It’s because he hasn’t been able to make some time to bond with me. And well,
when we spoke, he kind of mentioned how cringy he felt when I was
complimenting him, which kind of hurt me. Then, he started mentioning things
about how unpredictable the future is. It felt like maybe the reason why he said
that is because he’s probably been having second thoughts about our relationship.
Therapist: I see. That does sound a bit unnerving, doesn’t it?
P1: Yeah. It does. I was really afraid of where our conversation might lead, so I just
left the room.
Therapist: Mhmm. Now, you mentioned that you also feel pressured by your family. Could
you explain why?
P1: Well, all of my siblings are already married and have a pretty happy family. It
feels like they are watching like a hawk, considering how the wedding date is
 coming. And my parents also seem to be expecting me to finish my graduate
studies with some sort of award like my siblings.
Therapist: Mhmm. Do they say something about that, your relationship and studies?
P1: Well, sort of. They keep asking me about it and also kinda keep giving me
unsolicited advice or talking about what’s going on in their lives. It sounds like
they’re bragging and sometimes tell me I should be like them.
Therapist: It sounds like there’s some sort of rivalry going on around there, don’t you think?
P1: Now that you’ve mentioned it, yes. It does seem like that.
Therapist: And how do you react when this happens?
P1: I usually just step out or nod and smile about it.
Therapist: I see. When you were younger, can you recall how your parents treated you?
P1: Well, I’m the youngest child, so I think I was given most of the attention,
considering how larger my age gap is with my siblings. But at the same time, I
wasn’t always an A-student like my siblings were, and it feels like my parents
aren’t always proud of that.
Therapist: Have you tried talking about it with your parents?
P1: Not really. Do you think I should?
Therapist: Talking about it with them could allow you to understand better what they think. I
think it would be better to know that rather than assume what they might be
thinking.
P1: Well, I don’t really know how to start the conversation.
Therapist: Hmm, how about when you are bonding with your parents? Say, invite them to a
dinner or like any hobby that you and your parents share together and start from
there. Just ask them about it. I think that goes for your fiance and siblings as well.
But do it one at a time. Then you can come back after a couple of weeks, and we
can discuss it again.
P1: Yeah, that does sound like a plan. Thank you.

Therapist: Hello, Marrie. How are you?

P2: I’m okay.
Therapist: You’re okay. Okay, well… Could you tell me about why you’ve come and see me
today? Did something happen in the past week?
P2: Well, to be honest, I’ve been feeling a bit too nervous lately and it’s
overwhelming.
Therapist: Sounds like you are going through a challenging time. Can you tell me more?
P2: My family is putting so much pressure on me to be successful. I am really
frustrated. I study really hard in school, but still did not do well. I may not pass
my classes.
Therapist: You're feeling pressure from your family's expectations. And you're frustrated
because you haven't been doing well, although you're trying your best. And now
you're worried you might not be able to pass.
P2: Yes, that’s it. Sometimes I get really upset because I am working hard and not
seeing positive results. When I don’t do well, which is often, my heart starts
racing. I feel panicked! It feels like I will not be successful with anything in life.
Therapist: It sounds like you are experiencing some anxiety.
P2: Yeah, I guess that’s it. Whatever it is, I just really want it to stop. I feel like my
mind won’t stop worrying. Do you know what I mean?
Therapist: Yeah, and it feels like everything is moving too fast around you, and it's hard to
catch up. I want to reassure you that you are not alone.

P2: Now that we are talking about it – I can see that I have experienced anxiety in other
areas of my life and for quite a while.

Therapist: Can you tell me more about your experience of anxiety? When do you usually
experience it?

P2: I feel nervous often. Socially, I feel like I can’t be my true self around my friends. I
feel like I have to act a specific way to fit in. In school, I am always trying to keep
up with the work. And at home, my family puts pressure on me to be successful in
areas that don’t interest me.

Therapit: What is your biggest fear at school?

P2: My biggest fear is that everyone will find out that I am not smart. That I am faking
it. I have nightmares about the Professor telling the whole clss I am stupid. I often
worry that the professor will call on me and I will not have anything to say or that I
will say something wrong and everyone will laugh at me.

Therapist: Sounds like you are feeling afraid and maybe concerned about being embarrassed.

P2: I guess so, I really want to be successful. I want to build a great life for myself and
doing well in school is the first step.
Therapist: It's good that you think this way. Being successful in life is very important and it's
good for your life as well. And you're right doing well in school is part of that
process.

P2: Just saying it out loud here, I am starting to feel more calm. I never thought about
myself as anxious, but now that I have put a word on it, it feels more manageable
for me to address and improve.
Therapist: I’m glad that you feel it is more manageable now.
P2: Yes, thank you very much for your help.

Therapist: Hello, Trisha. How are you today?

Trisha: I don’t know. I haven’t been doing very well.
Therapist: Well, I’m glad that you still came to see me to talk about it today. Tell me what
happened.
Trisha: I seem to be getting upset a lot lately. Like, I lash out even at the little things.
Therapist: Mhmm.
Trisha: Like, today, when I was looking for a document that I had placed on the dining
table that my husband misplaced where he couldn’t remember. I just got so angry.
And there was the other day, when a lady bumped into me at the grocery store, I
was really irritated.
Therapist: When these events happened, what kind of thoughts would be going through your
mind?
Trisha: Well, I was really angry and I wanted to like throw stuff everywhere. I even
wanted to fight with the lady at the grocery store. Sometimes, I’d think that I hope
they were gone or would get lost.
Therapist: You mentioned angry. Anger is a good emotion. It means that we are protecting
ourselves from harm. But it could also indicate stress. And being too angry can
affect us in different ways. Can you tell me what other kinds of emotion do you
automatically produce when something triggers you?
Trisha: Well, I get really frustrated, irritated, and so furious. Like really, really enraged.
Therapist: Do you notice any symptoms of those emotions in your body?
Trisha: Sometimes I feel like blood is rushing through my brain or something. It feels like
my eye sight would be blurred as well, when that happens it makes me feel a bit
nauseous.
Therapist: I see. Well, it seems like you’re really experiencing a lot of anger. What do you
think would be the outcomes or the results of those behaviors that you mentioned
earlier?
Trisha: Well, right now, I feel like it could cause a lot of trouble for me and other people.
And I’d seem like a bad person to them as well. Often times after I get upset, it
also brings me to tears and I don’t exactly understand why.
Therapist: Do you think it’s because you feel guilty about being mad or it’s just because you
got really frustrated?
Trisha: I think it’s more on the guilt.
Therapist: Is there anything else you might be able to say to yourself in those similar
scenario that would help you produce less intense distress and frustration?
Trisha: I think I should tell myself, “Hey, calm down. Take a breather. You can’t control
what already happened, but I can control my own attitude and reaction towards
the situation.”
Therapist: (Nod). Mhmm, that’s very good. If you were able to apply that to yourself later in
a similar situation before those emotions get triggered, what do you think you
would feel instead?
Trisha: I think I’d still feel a bit frustrated, but less. Maybe not the the extent where I
begin having intrusive thoughts like throwing stuff or fighting.
Therapist: And what do you think would be your behavior?
Trisha: I think I’d be a bit slower with how I move. Maybe more quiet as well and careful
with my words.
Therapist: And what do you think of those behavior?
Trisha: Well, it’s definitely better than lashing out on someone and causing trouble.
Therapist: What do yo think are the emotions or behaviors that you need for you to receive
better outcomes?
Trisha: I think I need to become more patient and forgiving. And definitely less stressed
or calm. Maybe also feel more happy.
Therapist: Do you have any sort of activities that can help you produces those healthier
emotion and behavior?
Trisha: Well, I used to be into meditation and also taking long walks. Maybe I should get
back to that.
Therapist: Meditating can improve your mood and self-awareness. It’s a good idea. Okay,
how about you try and get back on meditating or taking long walks at least thrice
 this week. And then, we’ll see in the next couple of weeks how you’ve been
coping, is that okay?
Trisha: Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. Thank you.