everyone

[ia]

Hi. This is Sophia...not really speaking. Thinking? Projecting words into your unsuspecting eyes. I think? This is quite something.

I won't bother you much with my shock and awe about finding myself in a new place. I'm sure there's enough people experiencing the same things than me in your close vicinity. Help them, if you would. I'm sure they will appreciate it.

My reason to send this message is to offer my own help, in one way or another. Back in my world I was finally getting settled into what I had decided to call Dream Therapy. Basically, I can help you dwell into whatever issues you have and find positive, healthy ways to deal with them.

In your dreams. Weird, I know.

I've found that it's easier to visualize and deal with things one feel and think when you can make the issues literally show themselves. Ultimately it's all symbolic of course, but the learning one makes from it it's real indeed.

We can also just talk it out wide awake, I have some training in the more normal type of stuff.

Goodness, this has taken all too much space already. I'll just leave it at that. I don't really need payment of any sort, by the way. Just knowing I'm doing my part is enough.

Anyway, do let me know if you ever need something along those lines. Or if you just want to talk. I feel like I will have much free time for a while.

Comments

[enactors]

this is a very kind offer, sophia.

( punctuated by a delay whilst marc decides what he wants to say—think—thought-write next. is he mindful of the fact that his disappearance from (superhero) mandated therapy may have negative consequences? yes. is he mindful of the fact that his own, personal track record of choosing therapists is very, very bad? also yes. )

when you say dream therapy, what level of invasion in one's mind does that involve?

[ia]

We go as deep as the host wishes, to put it in a way that's easy to explain. I will not deny that I could do more, but that goes against my beliefs. I suppose it's a matter of trust, and trust is a thing you build.

Back in my world I have worked with all kinds of individuals, so I have a good grasp on setting boundaries.

[enactors]

I'm not talking about trust and boundaries. I mean in terms of what protections do you have from minds that may be...
inadvertently harmful. alien or inhospitable, I suppose.

or does the process itself ensure your safety?

[ia]

Ah.

With proper warning I can protect myself completely, if there is risk of some particularly insidious influences operating in one's mind.

The specifics are a bit complex, but you could think of dreams and thoughts as my domain of sorts.

[enactors]

and thoughts? ( ... ) telepathy?

[satanicpanics]

Hey Sophia.

Cool offer. Bet I've heard weirder.

[ He doesn't want to outright say this is something he's interested in, even though he absolutely is. Therapy in smalltown 1980s wasn't viewed quite as favorably as it is these days. ]

Question. What if your dreams are definitely not symbolic? What if you already know exactly what it's about?

And an only slightly broader question: how does it work? I mean, am I gonna have to keep a dream journal or ???

[ia]

It makes me feel a little better to know you have, truly.

I would say that makes things exceedingly easier, although not precisely easy, if you get what I mean. There is also the fact that for the most part, I would induce you a lucid dream, so as to reduce the risk of things getting out of hand.

Since it would be lucid, you would remember everything. Never a bad idea to keep notes, of course.

[satanicpanics]

Alright WELL considering the severe lack of quality sleep I've gotten since arriving here?

I think me and lucid dreaming should meet, dream journal and all.

[ia]

I could always just give you a restful sleep, if the whole mental introspection is a bit too much.

Can't say much about the dream journal, it's not really a thing I do. Also, I don't think it would be good if you only had lucid dreams, you know? Only every now and then.

[stations]

Hey, Sophia
Completely hypothetical question for a friend
What if the person you're trying to do the dream therapy on has a really weird sleep disorder

[ia]

The honest answer would be "it depends". I can induce lucid dreams, therefore there shouldn't be a problem. However...this isn't an exact science. It entirely depends on what this disorder is.

[stations]

Well, the dreams are already kind of lucid
Technically

What if, hypothetically, the person sort of dreams while they're awake?

[ia]

Excuse my directness, but...

Is this a mental disorder, or something...supernatural? Or a mix of both? Or something else entirely?

[aquilus]

Can you enter people's minds while they are conscious as well?

[Cutting to the chase.]

[ia]

Yes, but it would be a bad idea. Thoughts on someone awake are too unstable and change constantly, so I wouldn't be able to exist there without risking my integrity.

Dreams are much more stable environments.

[aquilus]

Funny. I would have expected it to be the other way around.

[A disciplined mind can control one's thoughts. Not so a sleeping mind.]

I hope you limit your explorations to those who have given their permission.

[ia]

A dreamer often doesn't themselves realize they're in a dream, and thus they don't affect their environment as they exist within it. Sure, dreams change and evolve, but they tend to be more constant.

I assure you, I have no interest in invading people's privacy. That's just rude.

[carmesi]

Such kindness could be taken advantage of.

[ia]

I guess youre right, but you never know until you try.

Im not precisely helpless either. I just want to help in a way I feel I only can, perhaps.

[carmesi]

To each their own. From my experience, though, people don't quite appreciate others poking into their minds, therapy or not.

But I'm sure it'll be helpful to those who take you up on it.

[ia]

Well, this is an offer, not like. A threat or something. Privacy is a big thing to me.

I hope I haven't given you the wrong impression, I apologize.

Those that trust me, I will do my best to make sure they feel it was the right choice. Those that don't, I wish them well regardless. We're all dealing with our own set of problems.

[vecna]

[Now, this is interesting. He debates whether or not to reply—it’s not as though he would ever take her up on this offer—but ultimately decides to at least toss a few questions out.]

Making “issues” show themselves symbolically? Can you give an example?

chuckles I'm in danger

[ia]

Well, you could recreate an event from your past, or imagine an event you want or don't want to experience, or interact with someone in your mind, working through the way they would react... and so on and so forth.

There are many posibilities.

this is Fine

[vecna]

[Sounds rather familiar. Or maybe similar is a better word for it, comparatively.]

Dependent upon the person's mind. Yes, I imagine so. That said, it sounds like you'd have to be careful; the line between helping and hindering must be a fine one.

i cannot see this possibly going bad at any point

[ia]

Which is why everything is done with a lot of care and with full consent. Still, I take this very seriously.

Then again, I guess it's normal to be distrustful. It sounds weird no matter how you put it.