TRANSCRIPT 5
Sydney Cleary and Curtis Lowe, Couples’ Counseling Session
Ellen Dwyer, Psychologist, PsyD
Ellen:
Let’s talk about your relationship before the affair. Tell me what was good about it.
Sydney:
Curtis always made me feel special. Like I was chosen. And treasured. He seemed so solid and steadfast. I felt like he’d always take care of me.
Curtis:
You are special, babe. And I will take care of you.
Sydney:
I’m not special. Not if you could sleep with some random client who means nothing to you. Not if you could hurt me like that.
Curtis:
I was drunk. And high. You and I were so far apart. You’re the most special person in the world to me.
Ellen:
Curtis, what do you value about Sydney?
Curtis:
Everything. I mean, look at her. She’s beautiful. And smart. And successful. And she cares so much about people, and justice, and doing the right thing. Sydney makes me a better person.
Sydney:
I make you a better person? You just did molly and cheated on me. I’m doing a great job.
Ellen:
Sydney, what do you need from Curtis to feel emotionally safe in this relationship again?
Sydney:
I don’t know. Curtis works all hours. He gets late-night texts and leaves the house at a moment’s notice. How can I ever trust him again?
Curtis:
You can have all my passwords, Syd. You can track me on my phone.
Sydney:
I shouldn’t have to snoop on you like you’re some naughty teenager.
Ellen:
Maybe it’s just a temporary measure. Until Curtis can prove to you that he’ll never betray you again.
Sydney:
What if he can’t prove it to me? What if I never trust him again?
Curtis:
If you want to read every text or email I send for the rest of my life, you can.
Sydney:
I don’t want to. And I shouldn’t have to. That’s my point.
Ellen:
There are strategies that can help you to rebuild your trust. If that’s what you both want.
Curtis:
I’ll do anything to earn her trust back. Whatever it takes.
Ellen:
Sydney? Is that what you want, too?
Sydney:
I think so.