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Chapter Six: Danielle
Doctor Sheridan shifts from one side to the other and clears her throat. “You seem a little uncomfortable, Danielle. Why is that?”
“It feels strange to be sitting here expected to unburden myself to a stranger,” I reply, with a quick glance around the office. “I don’t know. Don’t you ever think it’s weird that people you don’t know come in here, expecting you to have all of the answers?”
Doctor Sheridan writes something down. “It’s only weird if other people think it’s weird. In my experience, it’s easier to talk to complete strangers. Something about them not knowing you helps.”
I snort. “Yeah, but people can still be judgmental and mean.”
Doctor Sheridan gives me a kind smile. “This is a safe space, Danielle. I’m not here to judge you. I’m here to help guide you.”
I glance away and feign interest in the landscape painting of the beach hung up behind her small, rectangular shaped desk. “You’ve got your work cut out for you, doc.”
“Why is that?”
I make a vague hand gesture. “Because I don’t even know where to begin. I mean, do we start with the obvious—my failed marriage? Or do we start with the fact that I basically derailed my career for my ex?”
Doctor Sheridan writes down something else. “We can start wherever you want, Danielle. There is no right or wrong answer here.”
I swing my gaze back to hers. “So, why all of the questions then?”
“I’m just getting to know you. This is our first session together, after all.” Doctor Sheridan links her fingers together and gives me a reassuring smile. “Would it make you feel better if I shared a few things about myself?”
“I’m not sure. Can you?”
Doctor Sheridan’s smile doesn’t fade. “I’ve worked here for five years. I’m married, and I’ve got a son and daughter who hate that their mother is a therapist.”
My lips lift into a half smile. “You can’t blame them. It gives you an unfair advantage.”
Doctor Sheridan and I talk for a while, sharing my feelings and my thoughts about what I want Four Elements ranch to do for me.
Doctor Sheridan gets up. “Unfortunately, that’s all the time we have for today. But I’ll see you soon. Your appointments are all scheduled for you. Please refer to your handout.”
I stand up, and my hands hang awkwardly at my side. “That’s it?”
“I’d like you to think about something, a defining moment from the past few years, and write it down. We can talk about it during our next session.”
I glance from the door to her face. “Okay.”
Doctor Sheridan stands up and holds the door open. “Have a good rest of the day, Danielle. Take care of yourself.”
After the door clicks shut, I linger outside her office and frown. Then I spin on my heels and make my way back to my cabin.
While I’m changing into a different set of clothes, I turn the session over and over in my head, surprised that I don’t feel dread and skepticism.
Instead, I feel a strange sense of hope and optimism.
And it stays with me until I come out of the cabin and head to the riding arena.
“She’s going to throw me off.”
Adrian secures my grip on the reigns and motions for me to breathe. “She is not going to throw you. But she is going to get agitated if you don’t calm down.”
I blow out a breath. “No one ever calms down after being told to calm down.”
Adrian flashes me a smile. “Okay, don’t think of it like that. Think of it as… the horse can sense your emotions. And you don’t want to put negative vibes out into the universe.”
I snort. “Does that actually help?”
