| Generated by Google Gemini Pro text-to-video AI software, powered by Veo 3 |
When I was still in high school, I took a job working at a university as a
Therapy Actor. Students, before they can earn their degree in some type of
therapy, have to participate in mock therapy sessions. To protect real
patients from those who don’t quite know what they’re doing yet, the school
will pay actors to come in, and pretend to have particular issues, so the
students can learn. At the time, I thought that I was going to get into
acting, so I figured it was a great opportunity. While I was there, however, I
found myself more interested in the work that they were doing. I was
never planning on ending my education, and moving to L.A. to try to make it
big. I would go to college first, and get some real education in the
performing arts. I figured I would take some psychology classes as well, so I
had something to fall back on. I never did end up pursuing acting. I mean, I
took a couple courses too, but psychology became my passion instead. I haven’t
looked back. The timing was perfect. As soon as I earned my own master’s
degree, Landis and his friends were setting up his foundation. I thought it
would be the perfect chance to get in on the ground floor of something
groundbreaking and unique. They didn’t really lie—I think they didn’t know how
they were going to do it yet—but I was under the impression that I would be
the resident therapist for the whole organization. They really only wanted me
for Landis himself, as well as maybe a few other clients. I don’t do much
throughout the day. Because of how much focus I have to place on him, I can’t
pursue other work. I can’t even leave the hotel. I’m not a prisoner, but they
really like to keep me close, even though I’ve never been called in for an
emergency session, or anything. Landis is a pretty easy client. We mostly talk
about his past, before all of these responsibilities. We do it over dinner,
which kind of makes it look like a date, but it’s only in the interest of
time. We kind of do it as friends, which is a very common form of therapy.
Some people need that type of format. They don’t really need to be treated.
They need to vent, and they would rather their therapist be able to open up to
them a little too. As long as you maintain boundaries, that’s okay, and
that’s what works for us. I’m paid to be one guy’s friend, and the rest of the
day is for me. I didn’t have any hobbies going into this, because I was always
so focused on my studies, but I’ve gotten into arts and crafts. My suitemate
got me into it. It passes the time.
