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Kindle Notes & Highlights
by
Dr. Harper
Read between
January 25 - February 1, 2025
I gently suggested that he give her some space, and he burst into a grandiose tirade about how all women are sluts.
Sounds real healthy
What was I doing?
Something Unethical
What would you do if someone told you about 9/11 the day before it happened? Or Newtown? Or Vegas?
Well no one told you, snooper. But the law says you have to report
To the school’s credit, they hired two armed resource officers, and both of them stood outside my office while Alex and I sat down for our session.
Not awkward at all
Alex looked up, but didn’t make eye contact. “I’m not saying anything about last week,” he said. “I know you probably set up cameras.” My stomach turned. He wasn’t wrong.
Illegal
I’ll take time away from school to spend every second with you. To
Ummm boundaries my guy
It almost sounded like the whole thing was my fault.
Im with the school
officer. “I need you to give me your gun.”
What the actual fuck
I took the gun and shoved it in Alex’s hands.
Yeah the school made the right choice
“Alex, right now, you’re the only thing keeping those kids alive. As long as he believes you’re coming, he won’t hurt them. So he has to believe you got the gun.”
No pressure, kid
The problem is, my patients have a habit of dying. Alex isn’t the first, and I’m worried he won’t be the last. Sometimes I wonder if I’m the common denominator. Or maybe that’s just the cost of taking on exceptionally broken clients.
I think its you my guy
I never actually write anything down, but it gives patients the comforting idea that I’m in the process of “figuring it out”.
dick
I was becoming a bit frustrated by this point. “Phil, that’s the whole reason–”
Already ? Dude its been like five minutes
Jesus Christ. Had it already been five minutes?
So maybe ten
“My god, will you stop diagnosing people with mental disorders and listen to us?”
Literally his job
One thing you need to understand about me is that I despise psychological torture.
Are we about to do something unethical
“Yes,” I said. “Because I was treating your father, Phil.”
Oh a hipaa violation
“That’s why they do the ritual in such frequent intervals,” she said. “That way you spend every moment of your life thinking about the ritual, paralyzed by the fear of what happens if you miss it. Constant fear messes with the rest of your brain.”
Loving that this child knows everything
Yeah, I wrote those comments. And a few more.
Wtf
“Please show her.” Ruth turned to Elliot. “Just the ones near your inner thigh.”
Absolutely NOT
“He has another burn.”
Is mom just checking now
Your not the detective!!
“Isn’t this your job?
No
We were running out of time to save a boy’s future – his body, his emotional health, his humanity.
Dude just keep him from choir practice for now or find a different group
I had to rule out Father Michael once and for all. He
Again not your job
“But I hope you can see now that a man of God would never initiate inappropriate contact with another male.”
Yeah we know better than that
Why would a mother ever do that to her own child?”
Dude do you work with trauma at all
I felt my blood boiling. “Is that because you’re the one hurting him?”
Jesus christ
I accidentally bit at my nails. Damn it. Therapists weren’t supposed to have nervous habits.
Or try to solve cases
choir practice. Maybe “God” was the stars. Maybe Elliot was staring up at them every Sunday night while Zach burned him, and then he used “God” to mask the unbearable pain of his friend’s betrayal.
He is 14 not stupid
“Because of shame,” I said. “Shame feels bad. You’ve absorbed messages about yourself that are not true, and your mind is tricking you into thinking that those messages are coming from God.”
We going to skip over the gay hate?
petty that He punishes you for loving who you love?” This was completely inappropriate, and unprofessional, and not at all my place. And yet, I continued:
Actually this is your job
When I got older, I worried that a history of self-harm could hinder me from entering a career in medicine, so I stole the file from her.
Perfect way to start your career
“Come on, grandma,” said Eric. “This is why we came to therapy.”
Why the fuck is everyone in this session
“He’ll be fine,” said Jane. “We’re handling it in our own way.” “Right, the Mormon way,” said Eric angrily. “Load him up with Prozac until he seems normal and happy.”
Don't think thats the mormon way
“Don’t you have a gun?” he asked. “Why didn’t you stop him?” “I’m not going to execute a man for mooing at me,” I snapped.
Did a police officer hust ask a therapist why didnt shoot their mooing client?
“Okay,” he said. “I’m driving Uber this week, but I could take a day off next week.”
Dude you set your schedule and its an hour apt.
“Well…” he said anxiously. “I’m actually here as a patient.”
Nope conflict
As Officer Donahue rambled on about his passive-aggressive wife and their unsatisfying sex life, I pretended to write in my notebook. My mind was somewhere else entirely.
Apparently not for this therapist
“It’s called covert narcissistic abuse, and he fits all the red flags. Insensitive to my feelings, never apologizes or admits fault, needs constant attention from others–”
Someones watching mental health tiktoks
The police hadn’t found anything of concern last week, so I just needed to have faith that she was safe.
Yeah you dont do that
After running a stop sign and cutting off a few cars, I was a comfortable distance behind them. I followed the car off the highway and into the suburbs.
Apparently boundaries are not a thing
“What if you come stay with me?” I asked. “I have a panic room above my garage. It’s fortified with steel and blastproof Kevlar panels. You’d be untouchable.”
Are you fucking kidding me???
“Yes,” I said. “And if you’d like, I can provide you with daily therapy sessions until you’re feeling better.”
Yeah, totally not a conflict of interest
I cut the package open and was surprised to pull out a package of gummy bears. At first they seemed
Sugar free ones??
“Sugarless Haribo gummy bears? I had these on an airplane once – and it’s an experience I’ll never forget. There are about 300 Amazon reviews detailing similar experiences. So cut the fucking bullshit.”
Called it
“I don’t know,” I said, growing increasingly agitated. “But for now, I’d really recommend changing your address, your career, and your name.”
Ugh is this his assistant
“You can come work for me,” I said, surprised by the words coming out of my mouth. “I need an assistant.”
Conflict of interest dude
I must warn you, it doesn’t paint me in a good light. At all. So
None of this has
“Okay,” I said awkwardly.
And there goes your license
