On A Scale of One to Ten, How Much Excruciating Emotional Agony Are You In?

“On a scale of one to ten,” the psychiatrist asked me, “how much emotional pain would you say you are in?”

I considered the question carefully. It was our first session, and I’d been having a difficult time finding a therapist I felt comfortable with. I didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot.

“On a scale of one to ten?” I asked.

“Yes.”

I thought about it …