“Basically.” Alexis nods. “Just so you’re aware, they are going to make you go through every detail all over again, but, like, to an audience. Nurses, a social worker, some residents, an occupational therapist. And then they’ll recommend something, probably a medicine, and tell you to go to as many groups as possible. The groups are going to seem cheesy and sometimes they kind of are, but they help. They really help. So does getting a therapist.”

“I actually had a therapist before,” Natasha says before she gives Alexis a brief run-through of her sessions with Dr. Jenkins.

“Girl, no.” Alexis puts her hand up. “Look, that woman sounds nice and all, but you need a therapist who gets it. Really gets it.”

“Gets what?”

“Everything. Being a woman of color. A child of immigrants. Having parents who went through some real shit.” Alexis holds up one, two, then three fingers with each point she makes. “All that stuff white people haven’t experienced but, you know, makes us who we are. Tell the team that’s what you want. Trust me on this.”

“I don’t know how my parents will feel about me going to therapy,” Natasha says. “My sister’s the only one who knows I saw Dr. Jenkins. And that sounds weird, especially since my dad’s a psychiatrist. But he and my mom don’t always get what I’m going through.”

“Of course they don’t,” Alexis says, unfazed. “But that’s sort of the point. You can show them another way. My therapist told me that going to therapy is to learn and unlearn. I’m supposed to learn about myself and also unlearn some of the toxic and unhelpful messages that my parents and our culture put in my head. Honestly, you should consider some family therapy.”

Natasha scoffs. “And you should meet my mom and then try to suggest that.”

Natasha pictures Mom scaring the poor therapist out of the room by using a combination of criticism and blatant scolding. Or even more likely, Dad and Suhani sharing their elite mental health knowledge and that scaring the therapist out of the room. Every scenario possible leads to the therapist getting scared and needing to leave the room. The world needs good therapists, and for the sake of them everywhere, Natasha just can’t suggest family therapy.

“I’m serious! Having a professional outsider to moderate can be a total game changer. I bet the team will recommend it for you. And you know,” Alexis continues, “getting a better grasp over all my shit has really helped my comedy.”

“Really? I thought comedians were supposed to be depressed and anxious. I’ve been telling myself that my anger’s a part of my comedic charm,” Natasha says, half-joking, half-serious.