[ 2381.01.24 | Kaya Som, Dr. Pilar Artigas | Frontier Station Medical ]

"It's interesting actually. We're essentially repairing faulty circuits in your brain."

Dr. Pilar Artigas sat across from Kaya Som, the pair of them seated in large matching chairs.

"During a trauma, the brain begins a survival cycle that must resolve. From the alert stage, to the fight-flight-freeze stage, to the safety stage. If the safety stage is never realized and the cycle does not resolve, the brain gets stuck. It's as if the trauma event never ended."

Kaya felt fatigued and wired at the same time. Her shoulders were scrunched and she kept wringing her hands together. She didn't want to be here and wouldn't admit the reason was she was afraid to face herself.

"What we'll do is over the next few weeks is identify the neural pathways that are stuck and use delta waves to simulate the resolution of the cycle."

So far, Dr. Artigas hadn't asked Kaya about the chain of events. The first few sessions had been another physical examination and family and personal history. Dr. Artigas hadn't said anything about processing feelings or emotions, but it had to be coming. The last thing Kaya wanted to do was talk about it. She felt that if she opened her mouth, she'd never be able to close it again. That, and no one seemed to understand.

"Don't you need to know what happened first?" Kaya asked.

"Well, some of it is in your file, but we will talk about what happened so we can situate ourselves and identify any triggers that could cause a panic response. However the bulk of this therapy uses alternating bilateral stimulation. This will cause your brain to produce delta and beta waves. These types of waves produce chemicals in the brain of some species which allow you to reform traumatic memories so that they do feel like they exist in the present, but in the past where they belong."

Kaya spoke up. "That's like korhem ghala."

The doctor cocked her head. "What's that?"

Kaya explained, relieved to be able to talk with some assurance about something familiar.

"It's a part of Joining for Trills. There are these special chairs with pads for your hands. Our talla'ti - the spots - they actually correspond to the paths of our innate life energy. I'm not sure what to call it. Anyway, the ritual helps the two minds merge smoothly."

The doctor smiled and nodded. "Yes, that sounds like a similar principle. We're accessing a self-soothing process that already exists in our biology."

---

"Just make yourself comfortable," Dr Artigas said. "Hold this one in your right and this one in your left."

Dr. Artigas handed Kaya two stones one at a time. They were smooth black and irregularly shaped, yet seemed to fit perfectly in Kaya's palms. Even though they looked like they could have been pulled directly from a river, they were actually a highly sophisticated ceramic and housed a computer system. Indeed, the only give-away that the stones were artificial was a tiny violet light on the side.

"These will alternate with low vibration and sound. The speed will adjust to your natural biorhythm. All you need to do is sit quietly. Allow your mind to wander without judgement. If you start to feel distressed, bring your focus to the stones and the sensations in your body."

"Do I close my eyes?" Kaya asked, finding herself mildly fascinated with the heft and warmth of the stones in each hand.

"It's up to you. I'll be here the whole time to observe and facilitate. The adhesive patch on your temple are monitors recording brain activity and vital signs."

"How long will it take?"

The doctor referenced a PADD. "We'll start off with three minute sessions with a stretching and breathing between each. In between I might ask you some questions about any thoughts that came up. Then we'll gradually increase the duration."

Kaya nodded in approval. It all seemed too painless to be true. She'd imagined an empty box of tissues and showing up to duty with red puffy eyes.

The doctor seemed to sense the relief.

"It's a funny thing, trauma. Most non-sentient species experience daily existential threats as part of predator/prey survival, but studies have shown they're not existing in a constant traumatized state - they're just incredibly adept at completing the trauma cycle. Sentient species, well, our societies' complexities can be barriers to this natural resilience. We don't get to play it out to completion - we try to logic our way through it."

"Hence, the magic pebbles."

"Exactly. Shall we begin?"