Thank you very much for a lovely comment! :) I felt for my counsellor as well: she was trying to do quite a difficult job there.

There was a nice arc there - one that exists often in real life with clients.

And I'm really pleased that you thought it felt authentic. I haven't any experience of counselling, but I have taught adult literacy and numeracy, and that often follows the same sort of pattern.

Anyway, I'm delighted you enjoyed the story. :)