Chapter 11

Summary

• Yara drives to the north side campus to reach the Administrative Services Building.
• At the counselor’s waiting room, she fills out intake and mental health questionnaires.
• Yara struggles with the racial identity options on the form and ultimately checks “Other.”
• She experiences discomfort in labeling her emotions and apprehension about counseling.
• Yara checks social media and questions the authenticity of the perfect family life she portrays online.
• Yara wishes she had a tangible reason, like a disease, to explain her emotional trouble.
• She meets Silas from the Culinary Arts Department who is also there for counseling.
• After a clumsy entrance, Yara is called into the session by the counselor, William Banks.
• Yara is reluctant to discuss her upbringing, insisting on focusing on her recent professional issue.
• William tries to explore the link between Yara's past experiences and her present emotions.
• Yara shares her priorities as a mother and the adjustments made for her family and career.
• William inquires about her reaction to putting her career on hold, which Yara denies being an issue.
• She resists the session, believing therapy won't be helpful due to cultural misunderstandings.
• Yara briefly mentions family approaches to problems, like her grandmother's coffee readings.
• She dismisses the efficacy of conventional therapy for her particular situation.
• William expresses concern about Yara's mental health, observing signs of depression.
• Yara rejects William's suggestion for medication, citing a distrust of what she perceives as a hasty solution.
• Reluctantly, she agrees to weekly sessions, though unsure if she will return.