Mental Fitness

Posted on Tue Aug 24th, 2021 @ 11:52pm by Commander Samantha Howard & Captain Shran dh'Klar & Lieutenant JG Eislyn Jortho

Mission: Breen in Paradise
Location: USS Washington
Timeline: Just prior to arrival at Casperia

Eislyn looked over the area that was her office, making certain that it was in good order before her patient arrival. Her recent discussion with the captain had made her promise to get certain patients back to duty as soon as possible, and one of them would be easier to do than the other. She thought about what the captain had said before he had left and then thought about Cmdr Grayson. He was going to be a project she felt would require a great deal of care. The captain may not understand the emotional strain his XO was under. She shook her head to refocus. Now wasn't the time to consider Cmdr Grayson; Cmdr howard would arrive very soon and that was the patient she had to consider at this time.

She took a moment and walked over to her Vulcan meditation candle and lit it. She kneeled before it and lit the candle and began to stare at the flame. It was a meditation technique her symbiant had learned two lifetimes ago from a Vulcan named T'Kar while serving as an ambassador. It was a useful technique that she found allowed to to center and concentrate as a counselor. A few minutes passed when the door chimed, and Eislyn took a moment to complete the short meditative cycle and then blow out the candle. She stood and walked to the door, opening it. She recognized the woman standing outside as Cmdr Howard. "Welcome. Please come in."

Dr Samantha Howard paused outside the door of the counselor's office, drawing a deep breath and centering her thoughts. She was mostly healed and required signoff by both the ships counsellor and the medical authority before she could return to duty. The later she would take care of in sickbay, the former was being addressed presently.

At the voice the doors opened, revealing a warm and dimmed interior, pleasantly ambient and inviting. It was no longer Essie's office, however it was still warm and welcoming.

" Ahhh....Counselor?" Sam looked around, having not actually met the new counselling staff yet.

"Good day commander. Or would you prefer doctor? Always a muddled mess when speaking with a StarFleet doctor" she said in a jovial tone.

" I usually go by Doctor, although it confuses the hell out of the bridge crew when I take shifts up there" Sam gave a twisted smile as she looked around the office, noticing at the different decorative style. Her heart twanged as she was reminded of how Essie had kept her office, and how that was no longer.

"Please come in and have a seat doctor." Eislyn followed the doctor over to the sitting area and took her seat, hands folded in her lap. "I want to be honest with you doctor, the captain came by a short while ago and pushed to get you back to active duty. I didn't have the opportunity to tell him that I thought you would be getting my seal of approval today. It would seem the captain has some rather strong feelings regarding his senior officers."

" He's a very good Captain, he cares for his crew a great deal, and we've served together for many years. He's kinda..family I guess" Sam admitted, taking the offered seat and making herself comfortable. " I take it you've read the reports from the last few missions?"

"I have. The Washington seems to see more than its fair share of action. And the senior officers seem to deal with quite a bit. How do you feel about recent events?"


"A little shaken, a bit emotional after being unable to save Essie, worried about Commander Grayson...but overall - ok I think?" She rambled, rattling off what was going on in her brain as she adjusted to this new counselor.

"All of that is understandable. I'm sure you can imagine that each of you have different things to deal with that will take different times. When it comes to you doctor, I think it is fair to say that you are ready to return to duty, though my approval comes with the caveat that you meet with weekly moving forward so that I can keep up with your mental fitness. I hope this is acceptable to you."

" Really? That simple? Sure.. I mean.. thanks... I mean...okay that would be good" Sam's jaw dropped a little, she had expected an indepth psychotherapy session that revealed all her insecurities and childhood misadventures. Still gift horses and mouths and taking an opportunity when it presented itself.

"Don't misunderstand me doctor, I do think you need therapy, and these sessions will likely go on for a few months at least, but as far as your fitness for duty, I don't see any reason to keep you off the active roster. I'd like to see you back here same time next week."

" Of course, my apologies I didn't mean to imply that there would not be any ongoing structured sessions moving forward" Sam stammered, trying not to appear on the back foot. " I was just... relieved to be cleared for duty" She admitted.

"Very well doctor. I will see you next week then. Do take it easy for a few days if possible. I'll notify the captain of your return to active duty." She stood and moved towards the door.

" Much appreciated - I'll schedule an appointment and grace your doorway again within the week. Thank you again" Sam smiled graciously whilst beating a hasty retreat - hopefully the counsellor wouldn't change her mind.