Patient: So... I don't know how to say this.
Therapist: Go on?
Patient: I think I have a hoarding problem.
Therapist: Oh, is this a new thing?
Patient: No, it's been going on since before I started seeing you. It's... just way too embarrassing to talk about, but now I feel like I kind of have to.
Therapist: Hey, remember, this is a judgement-free zone.
Patient: Yeah, yeah, no paladins allowed. I feel safe here, just... talking about it makes me judge myself, you know?
Therapist: So what changed that made you want to talk about it?
Patient: Okay, so, the other day I was kinda flirting with this cute girl, you know, the princess type?
Therapist: Sure.
Patient: And I kinda got the feeling that she was totally open to me taking her back to my place.
Therapist: Ahhhhh.
Patient: ...Yeah. I just ended up just flying out of there, because... I kept thinking we'd get back to my lair, and she'd look at the pitiful little pile of gold and gems, and just... yeah.
Therapist: Not all humans care about treasure, you know.
Patient: Well, sure, but like... maybe if I was cool about it, I could just play it off... but I know I couldn't be cool about it. I'd be judging me the entire time, wondering if she was judging me... I'm such a failure.
Therapist: Okay, I think I hear how you're feeling here. So it's having a negative impact on your life in that it's hurting your self-esteem?
Patient: Yeah. It feels really shameful.
Therapist: Does shaming yourself about it make you hoard more?
Patient: No, it makes me not even want to think about it, really? Makes me want to distract myself with other things.
Therapist: So it's not a useful thought pattern.
Patient: No, not really. No.
Therapist: Okay, I think we might want to try out a little DBT? It can be pretty useful for those who find themselves overwhelmed by emotions.
Patient: Yeah, that sounds maybe-useful? Hey, maybe that could help me not burn down so much when I feel slighted? Like, burning bridges or villages feels good in the moment, but then a week later there's a bunch of knights I need to slay or whatever, and sometimes one of them slights me, and then... kinda a vicious cycle. It just feels like it's taking up too much of my life.
Therapist: For sure, we can absolutely try it for that too.