{The following is a written transcript of audio recordings made during the treatment of the aforementioned client. Any use of the material contained within other than that of authorized personnel is a violation of HIPPA Regulations, and subject to legal action.}
11/02/2007
The sound of papers being moved is audible, followed by the voice of DR. JANICE HIGGINS, MD.
MD: Don't let the tape recorder intimidate you. It's purely for my own use. No one else will hear it.
There is a period of silence [:35] followed by the voice of the client.
Client: Is that really necessary?
MD: Here, I'll turn it off for now.
The audio is then stopped, and resumed shortly there after {see progress record# DC110207 for notes of unrecorded portion of session}
MD: Okay, so if at any point there is a problem with the recording device-
Client: No, it's fine.
MD: So let's begin. Where would you like to start?
Client: Well, can we begin with why I was scheduled to meet with you? I don't think I need to see a therapist.
MD: Is that a concern for you? Client: Not a concern, but my feeling on the usefulness of meeting with you once a week.
MD: You're here because Ms. Verona wants to make sure that you're being taken care of. The same way you are seeing a dietician, a personal trainer, and an internist. I'm no different.
Client: [THE CLIENT laughs] I'm not convinced. The personal trainer is not going to ask me about my relationship with my dad.
MD: Is that what you'd like to talk about? Your dad? Because It is interesting that you would immediately mention that.
Client: That was just an example. And no, me and my father are fine. I see him once in a while, He sends me pictures of his garden and a box of green peppers when he harvests them every spring. So there's nothing to talk about there.
MD: Okay, so let's try a new route. Tell me about how you came to become involved in your current occupation. How old were you?
Client: My 'current occupation'? You mean as a wrestler?
MD: Yes.
Client: In Mexico, specifically the town I grew up in, you had few options. We were generally reduced to crime, abject poverty, or subjugating ourselves to the American slave wages of the factories. Fortunately, the director of the school I attended was a retired luchadore who wanted to keep us off the streets. So he furnished a luchadore training center within the school, and those who wanted to learn were offered that option. The talented ones among us went on to join his Los Locos Lucha Libre company, and that's what I did. From the ages of eight, until I was about 17, I wrestled for Father Morales. After that, I went to Asia.
MD: Why Asia?
Client: Because the small company I was in, had gotten too small for me. I had worked my way up and down that card ten times. It was the same bunch of guys in the same types of matches, for the same audiences show after show, week after week, month after month, year after year. After a while, I craved more. So after I heard about the Japanese hardcore circuit, I took my shot.
MD: What was that like? Leaving your family, your home, your life.
Client: I didn't feel like a Serbian refugee. My family were supportive. My mentor, Father Morales, was the one who gave me the money to make the trip. I maintained contact with everyone from the day I arrived in Tokyo. It was different, and strange, but it was also exciting and a challenge. That was kind of the point. I didn't want to settle into a rut. Above all else, that is my greatest fear; ruts. Mediocrity. Being a nobody who does nothing special. Especially if I'm willing to leave my blood and my heart and my soul on the canvas.
MD: I think that is a very powerful statement.
Client: I wasn't looking to make a statement. It's what I believe.
MD: I don't question that, Damien.
Client: I didn't think you did. Believe me, my ego isn't so fragile.
MD: Of course not, Mr. Cruz. But I would like to focus on something you stated earlier. Can you tell me more about Father Morales?
Client: Another time maybe.
MD: May I ask why?
Client: Simply because I'm not interested in talking about him. Not for any reason specifically, I would just rather not talk about Father Morales.
MD: I'm not going to press any issue you're not comfortable with.
Client: Of course you will. You have no choice. Otherwise, our conversations will be safe, passive, hollow pleasantries exchanged for an hour. By the very nature of your role as therapist, you have to engage me in the topics I find uncomfortable, scary, or threatening. I needn't explain your model of therapy to you, need I?
MD: No, Damien, you needn't. However, I think that you are far too intelligent to be so glib about my 'model of therapy'. To be honest, the fact that you've been trying to deflect all attempts of analysis by arguing that you don't need to be here is rather telling. Now this may not fit into the model of practice you think I follow, but I think I am confident enough in my abilities to know that you are grateful to have this opportunity to meet with me.
[the sound of a chair being pushed away from the table is audible.]
Client: If I return next week, we'll talk about my lack of gratitude. And if I don't return, consider that issue resolved.
MD: Mr. Cruz, it is my professional opinion that I can help you. I think I can help guide you toward gaining some very important insights. But that will require you to trust me. And that, Mr. Cruz, may be the hardest part. But the rewards will hopefully be worth it.
Client: Thank you for your time, Dr. Higgins. I'll be in touch.
MD: Okay.
[recording ends.]