therapy

THERAPY AND COUNSELING

Maintaining a healthy state of mind is critical when one begins implanting cyberentics into their body. The intrusion of the metal into the flesh has been proven to have an impact on ones sense of self and ones ability to relate to his own humanity, as well as the humanity of those around him. No one is exactly sure what causes Cyberpsychosis, it was once believed that it was just a symptom of another mental illness, like schizophrenia or bi-polar disorder. However more recently scientists and researchers have come to the theory that Cyberpsychosis is its own classification of neurological disorder. The cause is unknown exactly, but generally believed to be caused by a mix of feelings of alienation, superiority, or even inferiority after cybernetic installation, and the eletrical overstimulation of the cerebrum from new sources. Too many impulses confuse the brain, overloading synapses. This is especially dangerous when dealing with cybernetic functions that don't occur naturally, such as cyberweapons, or dermal viewscreens, additional limbs, etc... and not as big a threat from cyber which simply replaces natural biological function, such as artificial organs, basic cyberlimbs, etc... Basically the brain and nervous system become confused by the new information, usually in the form of painful spasms. Adding this type of physiological trauma to a person who is having feelings of alienation and anxiety is a powderkeg which results in a paranoid and violent state similiar to rabies, though much more intense. Because the afflicted is in severe pain due to the nervous and cortical system overload, it is believed by some that the Cyber psychotic rage is not only a means of lashing out at percieved threats, but also a subconscious suicide attempt.

To prevent this from happening, and to alleviate the personal distress of cybernetic intrusion into the system, as well as to aid a person in acclimating to their new self, we here at Electric Dreams require a psychological screening before we perform any procedure. In addition we offer and reccomend counseling sessions after implantation, and require them for anyone undergoing Full Body Conversion, Exotic Modification, or anyone who is having, or has had extensive cybernetic replacement or augmentation.

Here at electric dreams we practice varying degrees of therapy. We also use many techniques to insure you get the most for your money, including one on one sessions with a highly trained and respected mental health proffessional, group sessions, Virtual Reality Counseling, and in extreme cases, behavioral Moddies.

Here at Electric Dreams there are many different levels of therapy we are able to perform, choosing the one best suited to your needs and expense is simple and almost all are done on premises.

The first level of therapy is outpatient services, and is the least intensive. Usually only used after minor implantation or basic medical replacement. The patient attends daily sessions 5 days a week consisting of 2 hours with a therapist in one on one, 1 hour of physical therapy, then an hours in a mild Virtual Reality program. Once a week he attends a group session for an hour, to help him see how others are coping. This type of therapy usually has a cost of around 1000eb per week. (Succesful completion of this therapy will allow a patient to regain 25% of their HL.)

Inpatient is the second level, and is a bit more intrusive. The patient resides in the facility for the duration of his treatment, receiving daily batteries of psychological testing, personal therapy sessions with a trained counselor, VR sessions, and physical therapy. Its not all work, but even during the patients downtime he is being monitored and subjected to mild subliminal messages pumped through music and video sources. This treatment generally costs an average of 5000eb a week. )Successful completion of this Therapy program will allow a patient to regain 33% of their HL.)

Intensive Care Therapy is the third level, and for most it is the most severe and intrusive level. For the general patient, even here at Electric Dreams, this is about as much money as most are willing to spend, and is the minimum requirement after undergoing full conversion. ICT is performed inpatient, and daily treatment consists of deep and exhaustive probes into not only the patients psyche but also his nervous system, where his therapists fine tune hi personality in order to work more harmoniously with their new body, as well as minimize loss of identity It also makes heavy use of VR therapy sessions and simulations, intense and torturous physical therapy, and even lengthy Braindance sessions. Also, for extreme situations, behavoir Moddies will be permanently installed, and actually fused into your nueralware processor to prevent them from being removed. The treatment is so invasive and exhausting, that by the time it has been completed the patients therapists will not only know more about the subject than they themselves do, but will also be privy to all his/her innermost secrets. It's a scary undertaking for that reason, and quite intimidating, but rest assured that here at Electric Dreams we screen our therapists thouroughly, scrutinizing them for honesty, dedication, and ethics, ensruing that your innermost thoughts and feelings stay safe and secure. The only time this confidentiality will be breached is if it leads us to concerns over the immediate safety of others. This therapy costs an average of 10,000eb a week. (Successful completion of this therapy treatment will allow a patient to regain 50% of their lost humanity)

The Scandinavian Method is the fourth level of therapy. It consists of almost total VR and Braindance immersion, with only 4 hours a day set aside for physical therapy. The patient is fed intravenously and relieved via catheter as his mind undergoes constant VR counseling, testing and probing, as well as Brain Dance simulations putting forth ethical, moral, and psychological dillemmas the patient must face. The results of this treatment are amazing, and have led to patients suffering almost no discernable psychological or physical problems due to cybernetic implantation whatsoever. It is also ridiculously expensive with an average cost of 17,000eb per week. (Succesful completion of this course allows the character to Roll his Humanity loss twice, subtracting the second result from the first to get the actual Humanity Cost.)

The fifth and final level of Therapy we provide is called the Swieringen Method. Unlike ICT or the Scandinavian method, the Swieringen Method relies more heavily on personal interaction, and more traditional psychotherapy. VR, Braindance, and Subliminal messenging are still utilized, but to a much less, much more subtle degree. Using techniques known only to Dr. Swierengen himself and his handfull of proteges, the method relies on hypnotherapy and long one on one sessions in an isolated but scenic and serene environment. In fact the The Swierengen Clinic is Switzerland, the only place in the world where this treatment is available, looks more like a resort spa than a mental and physical rehabilitation facility. The patient lives in absolute luxury, and the treatment itself is reported to feel less invasive and intense and more relaxing. The end result is unbeleviably successful, with the patient suffering barely any percieved loss to their humanity, even from the most altering of cybernetic implantation, such as Full Cybernetic Conversion. The cost is absurd, and appointment must be made 6 months in advance, but it is widely renowned as the absolute best treatment in the world. The Swierengen Clinic charges 4000eb per day. (Successful completion of this treatment allows the patient to take only the minimum HL, as if he had rolled only ones for his HL)

To calculate the time spent in therapy use the following tables:

SURGERY CHART

THERAPY TIMES

SURGERY CODE:	INPATIENT	OUTPATIENT/ICT/SCANDINAVIAN	SWIERENGEN
NEGLIGIBLE	2 WEEKS	1 WEEK	3 DAYS
MINOR	6 WEEKS	3 WEEKS	10 DAYS
MAJOR	10 WEEKS	4 WEEKS	2 WEEKS
CRITICAL	3 MONTHS	2 MONTHS	6 WEEKS

THERAPY COSTS AND EFFECTS

THERAPY	COST	TIME REQUIRED	HP REGAINED
OUTPATIENT	1000eb Per Week	14 Hours a week	25%
INPATIENT	5000eb Per Week	168 Hours a week	33%
ICT	10,000eb Per Week	168 Hours a week	50%
SCANDINAVIAN	17000eb Per Week	168 Hours a week	SPECIAL
SWIERENGEN	4000eb Per day	24 Hrs a day	SPECIAL

Therapy must continue until completion. Every day that a patient misses requires 2 days to make up, and if a patient misses over half his scheduled days, the entire process must be restarted from the beginning. The only Therapy not performed in house is the Swierengen Method, which must be performed at the Swierengen Clinic is Switzerland. However Electric Dreams has a special contract with them and will schedule your cybernetic installation to coincide with the 6-month waiting list. In emergency situations, Electric Dreams can even make an immediate appointment at the Clinic, but only in life threatenting situations, and it will cost 4 times as much.

After the treatment is completed, patients are encouraged to revisit their therapist every 6 months for a followup to ensure the benefits of the treatment are still in effect. Patients are also given the number to an emergency counseling line they can call anytime they suspect they are having problems. It is possible, even after therapy to suffer from Cyberpsychosis, particularly if the patient undergoes trauma, heavy electrical or EMP damage, nerve damage or is suffering from an undiagnosed neurological disorder. So it is in a patients best interest to monitor himself and have his friends and family do the same for any changes in his behavior or personality. If such a condition does occur, it is highly recommended that the patient reschedule himself for therapy. If he has a psychotic break he is putting himself and others in harms way, and if police are called then he should be aware that his arrest or termination is at their discretion.

In addition to standard therapy, Electric Dreams also offers couple and relationship counseling. Sex is one of the most core concepts of being human, and even for most full conversion cyborgs it is no different, especially for those who have opted to keep their original flesh genitals. However finding acceptance in a new body from a lover can often be difficult and stressful, even for happily married couples. Sure their are always metal fetishists out their, but holding on to your true love, or even making a new one might requuire assistance. To this end we help individuals and couples come to accept and enjoy their new bodies and each other. Even single patients, can be helped through their feelings of anxiety and rejection.

Written by Deric Bernier, images from Ghost In the Shell, Appleseed, Bubblegum Crisis, Trinity, Full Metal Alchemist, Rifts, Gurps, Tank Girl, I Robot, Robotrix. Hajime Sorayama, and other unkown artists and sources.