Contents
Part One — Chapter Seven
Overview
Theo prepares for his first session with Alicia, doubting she will come, but Alicia unexpectedly agrees to attend. Dismissing Yuri, Theo meets Alicia alone and finds her heavily medicated and mute. Recognizing speech won’t come, Theo commits to a long, nonverbal therapeutic approach, ending the session in purposeful silence.
Summary
Theo waits in the stark therapy room and watches the courtyard below, where patients mill about. He spots Alicia standing motionless by the wall. After Yuri gently invites her to meet the new psychotherapist, Alicia initially gives no sign but then unexpectedly follows him inside, to Theo’s surprise.
Alicia arrives with Yuri, gaze downcast and unsteady. Theo persuades Yuri to leave despite Alicia being on one-on-one observation, showing his attack alarm to reassure him. Alicia sits silently, hands trembling, drool at her mouth, and offers no response to Theo’s greeting or thanks.
Feeling both nervous and determined, Theo introduces himself and mentions admiration for Alicia’s art, but she remains unresponsive behind a medicated mask. He reflects on Ruth’s teachings about integrating disowned parts of the self and recognizes that, without Alicia’s speech, he must rely on nonverbal cues and his countertransference.
Accepting that a traditional, talk-based beginning is impossible, Theo commits to a slow, laborious process guided by observation and inference. Moved by Alicia’s condition and the broader suffering he perceives, he withholds his feelings and chooses Ruth’s method: he and Alicia sit together in silence, establishing the first fragile contact.
Who Appears
- Theo FaberPsychotherapist awaiting and conducting the first session; dismisses Yuri, observes Alicia’s silence, and resolves to pursue a nonverbal, long-term approach.
- Alicia BerensonPatient arrives reluctantly, heavily medicated, remains mute and expressionless; her presence initiates the therapeutic relationship.
- YuriNurse who invites Alicia to the session, escorts her, and hesitates to leave; exits after Theo assumes responsibility.
- RuthTheo’s former therapist, recalled for guidance on integrating disowned parts; influences Theo’s method to sit in silence.