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Dr. Balis:
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This is Doctor Balis, may I help you?
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Ms. Steven:
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Hello, Doctor. This is Claire. Claire Steven.
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Dr. Balis:
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Oh, yes. How are you, Ms. Steven?
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Ms. Steven:
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You don't really sound like you remember me, Doctor Balis.
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Dr. Balis:
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On the contrary, I was actually just looking over your file and was contemplating on whether I should give you a call. But you beat me to it.
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Ms. Steven:
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I must say that I'm rather relieved that you remember me.
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Dr. Balis:
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And why is that?
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Ms. Steven:
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Well, because I feel pretty silly. I kind of disappeared and all.
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Dr. Balis:
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You would be amazed at the number of patients that simply vanish. I've been in practice long enough now not to take it personally.
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Ms. Steven:
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Well, it wasn't you. After our session, I just felt like such a loser. I thought, "Why in the world would this man want to hear about all my sexual problems?" I mean surely you have better things and bigger problems with other patients to worry about than whether I'm getting it at home. I felt...oh, I don't know...stupid, for lack of a better word.
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Dr. Balis:
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Many people have apprehensions about seeing a therapist. It's normal to feel somewhat ashamed to open up to a stranger. But I believe it's better to talk about personal problems than to keep them bottled up. And it's common to feel that one's problems are not important enough to warrant a therapist's attention. I'm constantly amazed that patients feel that they have to have entertaining problems. That's not what it's about at all. Problems are always serious and I'm here to help. I hope that I'm making you feel a little more comfortable. You sound a little nervous.
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Ms. Steven:
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Yes, I do. You have a very calming voice, though. Do they teach you that in school?
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Dr. Balis:
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I think I talk this way all the time. This is not a professional voice, if that's what you mean.
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Ms. Steven:
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Well, whatever the case, I like it and find it very relaxing. Look at me, I'm avoiding the purpose of my telephone call.
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Dr. Balis:
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What can I do for you, Claire?
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Ms. Steven:
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I would like to set up a time so that I can resume my sessions.
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Dr. Balis:
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I would be happy to meet with you again, Claire. When can you come in?
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Ms. Steven:
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How about some time Friday of next week, I believe that would be the 27th.
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Dr. Balis:
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That would be fine. Let's say 10:00 am?
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Ms. Steven:
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That would be fine.
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Dr. Balis:
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That's great. I'll...
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Ms. Steven:
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Hmm...
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Dr. Balis:
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Yes, is something on your mind, Claire?
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Ms. Steven:
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Well, I've been pretty much the same since I saw you last. But tension is beginning to build between Aaron and I. I don't think it's all about sex. Actually, I've been a little horn-dog lately, and it's Aaron who is turning me down...well, not everytime, but he has turned me down. I'm almost afraid that because I turned him down so much in the past, he is afraid that he won't be able to satisfy me. I don't ask for sex often, and when I do he usually knows not to reject me--he may not get it again for a while. But he has been under quite a bit of stress lately, and I can understand that he just may not be in the mood sometimes. Hell, I know what it's like to not be in the mood.
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Dr. Balis:
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Hmm. Do you go through periods of time when you want to have sex a lot followed by periods when sex never crosses your mind?
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Ms. Steven:
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Well, sex is pretty much always on my mind. However, I don't think it is on my mind the way you suggest. I'm always trying to get myself in the mood for Aaron. I want him to enjoy me, and I want to enjoy him. So I'm always trying to think of ways to excite myself to try and bring out those urges. So to answer your question, I have short periods--like a day or two--when I don't have to try very hard to get interested in sex. But it seems that there are many more days in between, when it is very difficult if not impossible to bring myself to that state. Do you understand?
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Dr. Balis:
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Yes, I do. If you don't mind my asking, when was the last time you and Aaron had sex?
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Ms. Steven:
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Last night. It was very disappointing. I wanted it, Aaron didn't. I think he just did it because he was afraid that I would slip into my down times. He wasn't into it at all. It added a little tension to the evening. I'm going to work on him again tonight. What is it, Doctor?
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Dr. Balis:
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The last time I talked to you, you sounded like you were afraid of never having sex again. And now you're telling me how Aaron is the one who is not interested.
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Ms. Steven:
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Yeah, kind of ironic, isn't it? Well, trust me, when you see me next week, I'll be out of the mood. We will be right back where we started. I really hate to cut this short, Doctor, but I'm on my lunch break. I need to get back and conduct an interview. So if you don't mind, I'll see you on Thursday the 26th at 10:00 am.
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Dr. Balis:
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All right. It's good to hear from you, Claire. I'll see you next week.
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Ms. Steven:
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Yes, well...it's time to fix me.
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Dr. Balis:
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Have a good week, Claire.
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Ms. Steven:
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Goodbye, Doctor Balis.
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###
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Doctor Balis' Notes on this Telephone Call
Transcripts of Claire Steven's Communications
