CHAPTER TWENTY THREE – GETTING BETTER

The praise, small as it was, sent a warm feeling through Joan. She was making progress. An hour later, Joan sat in on Emily's intake session. The teenager slouched in her chair, arms crossed, glaring at Dr. Green with open hostility. "So, Emily," Dr. Green began, "can you tell us why you're here today?" Emily snorted. "Because my idiot parents think I'm crazy." Dr. Green remained calm. "And why do you think they might feel that way?" "How the hell should I know?" Emily snapped. "Maybe because they're morons who don't understand anything about me." Joan watched carefully, taking mental notes on how Dr. Green handled Emily's anger and resistance. The session continued with Emily alternating between sullen silence and bursts of crude language. After the intake, Dr. Green turned to Joan. "What did you observe, Ms. Keppler?" Joan thought for a moment. "Emily seems to use anger and hostility as a defense mechanism. She's pushing people away before they can reject her." Dr. Green nod