Annanan1

As i have metioned on other post. I have this kid he is 16 and has been through a server whipping. he was bleeding badly etc. Anyway to the point. I have need in my story to make him go a little wild afterwards (as a result) and he is given some sort of counselling (talk therapy has been suggested). i do not intend to write the whole conservsation between he and counsellor, but dip in and out. however at some point i need the kid to break down and start crying. my question is what would counsellor do if that happened, would just let him cry? try to comfort him etc. please help as i am having difficulty finding an answer to this question.

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smilinghelps

I think for a scene like this you'd need to actually write out the bulk of the couselling session for your own benefit. Figure out what questions the counselor would ask and what moment would lead to the character crying. Based on the question leading up to the breakdown, you'll have your counselor react. For instance, if the counselor had to push him emotionally, yell at him, frustrate him, make the boy afraid/angry, then the counselor might say, "Good--what are you feeling, why are you crying? Tell XXX why you feel this way--what has this done to you".

If it was a more calm scene the counselor might be more compassionate and comforting. You have to figure out the session to answer your own question. Write it out and see where it takes you.

Good luck!

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"All my life, I always wanted to be somebody. Now I see that I should have been more specific." --Lily Tomlin

Wallmaker

Lots of psychotherapists let the patients do the talking and let the patient lead the conversation (if he's willing to talk about it). They let what's bothering the patient bubble up and they listen and talk about it. Unless the person is violent or terribly upset, crying would be part of the process. They might have tissues, they might reassure the patient that it's natural to cry after experiencing these upsetting events, and in fact it's therapuetic becuase it means they are acknowleging the hurt and the pain. So, yes, comforting, but not like a mom comfort their child, more like a person saying crying is natural, it's okay to cry.

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Annanan1

Thanks guys.
the kid is very frightened even after the event and has issues with feeling that he is loosing control,because he felt so helpless while it was happening.(i might even have him self harming) not sure yet.he is a little insecure charecter anyway and is surrounded by crew members how are all at least 8 years older than him. the counsellor is a friend and one of the crew memembers.