therapist: "your triggers are important and deserve to be addressed"

traumaqueer: "thank you! that's so validating!"

therapist: "so, while you're healing, we're going to learn some coping mechanisms for you to use in the immediate term-"

traumaqueer: "wait. wait wait. let's go back to that first thing."

therapist: "... what first thing?"

traumaqueer: "you said my triggers are the most important thing in the world, right?"

therapist: "well, they are important, but I didn't say-"

traumaqueer: "so others should make sure to not trigger me, right?"

therapist: "you can ask people to be respectful, but we primarily want to make sure that you're able to regulate-"

traumaqueer: "right! others should be able to regulate if I'm activated, because my triggers are the most important thing in the world."

therapist: "that's... not what I said. what I am saying is that, in order to heal, we're going to process your trauma in healthy ways."

traumaqueer: "right! processing! that's what I do when I talk with my friends about how the people I don't like are gaslighting me, right? I heard the term 'gaslighting' on a TikTok once."

therapist: [sighs] "...no, that's not what I-"

traumaqueer: "wow! thank you! this has been the most helpful session ever! I think I have everything I need. byeeee~!"

therapist: "..."

therapist: "... well, at least I got my copay..."