Who: Sam Wilson and Charles Xavier What: Discussing trauma therapy options When: A few weeks ago Notes/Warnings: References to PTSD, torture, etc
Since his discussion with Tony about figuring out a way to help support the new arrivals who were traumatized from their time on Genosha, Sam had been doing research and making plans. It would be different enough from his work with the veterans groups that he wanted to make sure he was doing the right thing. From what he’d gathered so far, having group sessions where they could discuss shared experiences would be beneficial, but since it sounded like they’d all had vastly different experiences, they would also need some one-on-one counseling. That was the part he wasn’t entirely sure he was capable of handling and was glad to see that one of the new arrivals had training as a psychiatrist. Of course, considering that he was also one of the people who suffered on Genosha, Sam hated asking if he wanted to work on this project together.
Unfortunately, they couldn’t bring in just anyone to help without disclosing the information about what was really happening on the island and they didn’t want to do that, so that limited their options. Sam had sent Charles a message and asked him if they could meet in the meeting room on the 39th floor.
He was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee and a mess of papers and folders around him, waiting for the other man to arrive.
Charles rolled himself into the meeting room, a large stack of papers in his lap. “I called Bessel at the CCTN and he sent us some of the newest evidence based interventions for group therapy.” He smiled at Sam. “I do have some concerns about recruiting group members. Most of my fellow survivors appear to be in full avoidance. I have been considering how we might secure the services of a trustworthy professional for individual assessments.”
That made a certain amount of sense to Sam. A lot of people had the initial instinct to avoid dealing head on with their trauma. Add to that having trust issues and he knew they had their work cut out for them. “Well, we’ll do what we can,” he said. “We can put things in place and then it’s up to them if they want to use them or not.” And even if they didn’t want to right away, from his experience, they would eventually.
“Did you have someone specific in mind for individual assessments?” he asked.
“It is difficult to think about bringing an outsider in on this, I know,” Charles sighed. “But my unique position is the definition of dual relationships. I have consulted in the past with Dr. Leonard Sivorski. He has experience with military contracts, I believe, which means that in addition to traditional privacy ethical boundaries, he would treat this as highly classified, which is what we need. I think we should consult with the medical team and have consensus before we bring another specialist in though, since I know it has been quite difficult for Moira to earn trust and buy in.”
Charles steepled his fingers, a nervous gesture that indicated he was thinking. “What would you suggest in terms of group dynamics?”
Sam nodded at Charles’s suggestions. “Maybe we should focus on getting them to trust Moira and the rest of us before we bring in anyone else,” he said. How they would do that was beyond him, the only thing he could really think was that over time the escapees would come to realize that they intended no harm and only wanted to help. It would be helpful if, like Charles, the rest could read their minds and know their thoughts, but alas.
“As for group dynamics, I guess we can start with all of them together,” he said. “And then get a feel for the personalities and see if we need to break them down further.”
After a moment of hesitation, he asked, “Do we know if there were any, uh… intimate experiments done?” If any of the women had been traumatized in that way by a man, then Sam might not be the best person to lead the groups.
“Fair point,” Charles said, “I do think though, that the science behind their genetic mutations is a particularly stressful topic. So it’s natural that they avoid it.”
He sighed. “I’m uncertain about any specifics of their trauma. As far as I know, none have been willing to speak about it, and I have been especially careful with my own powers. When people’s bodily autonomy has been violated already, they deserve the respect that I will stay out of their minds. I think this will be difficult, but necessary.”
“Whatever happens, they, and us, are going to have a long road ahead,” Sam said. The fact that there were people in the world who would do this sort of thing was the whole reason the Avengers existed. It was a travesty and Sam wished they could eradicate them completely.
He took a sip of his coffee. “And you?” he asked. “What can I do to help you through this?” Because Charles no doubt had his own troubles from being held captive and Sam wanted to make sure that he didn’t lose sight of having support rather than providing it to others.
“Honestly?” Charles lifted one shoulder in a genteel version of a shrug. “I’ve already made an appointment for EMDR, given my previous trauma symptoms, I would like to clear this experience out so that I can focus on the gift it left behind.” He chuckled. “My therapist likes to remind me very colloquially that this is ‘not my first rodeo.’”
Though he had no personal experience with it, Sam had read up on EDMR therapy and was well aware of the positive results it had in treating people with PTSD. “How much have you been able to tell your therapist?” he asked, wondering if that might be someone they could trust to bring in and help the others.
Charles thought for a second, realizing that he had not been completely open with his therapist. “I have honestly been unintentionally vague in any detail that might compromise the privacy of the others. I know the limits to HIPPA laws and records can be subpoenaed. This island and what is going on there is our problem to solve, when the time is right.”
He shuffled the papers in front of him. “I think you’re right. We need to help them… us… trust each other with what happened in the camp first.”
Sam knew there were no easy answers to what they were trying to do, but it all felt very bleak right now. “I guess the first step is to have a group meeting, get everyone in a room, and ask what they need,” he said. “That’ll give us a place to start.”
And, of course, there was always a chance they’d have more arrivals popping up at any time. Hopefully this initial group could help them come up with a better way to greet those new folks. Strange was a good man, but he was not exactly the warmest person to someone who was traumatized.