Ep 3. Sophie - Week One

In Treatment season 1 episode 3, titled "Sophie - Week One", the audience is introduced to another patient of psychotherapist Dr. Paul Weston, a troubled teenage gymnast named Sophie. Throughout this episode, we see Sophie struggle with her desire to be the best in her sport, while also dealing with the trauma of her parents' divorce and the pressure she faces from her mother to succeed.

Sophie begins the session with Dr. Paul by telling him about her recent injury and how it has caused her to question her identity as a gymnast. As they continue to talk, it becomes clear that Sophie's injury is only a small part of her larger struggle to find herself amidst the chaos of her parents' divorce. She reveals that her father left her mother for a younger woman and is now starting a new family, causing Sophie to feel like she's been replaced and no longer a priority.

As the session continues, Dr. Paul starts to unravel some of the deeper issues that Sophie is dealing with. He notices that Sophie is extremely critical of herself and has very high expectations for her performance in gymnastics. Sophie admits that she feels like she needs to be the best in order to make her mother happy and to prove to herself that she's worthy of love. Dr. Paul helps her to see that her self-worth shouldn't be tied to her performance in gymnastics, and that she deserves love and acceptance regardless of her achievements.

Sophie also reveals that she's been having dark thoughts and has even considered suicide. Dr. Paul takes this very seriously and probes further, asking her if she has a plan and if she has made any attempts in the past. He also asks about her support system and if she has anyone she can talk to when she's feeling overwhelmed. Sophie admits that she doesn't have anyone she feels comfortable confiding in and that she feels like nobody would understand what she's going through.

Throughout the session, Dr. Paul uses his experience as a therapist to guide Sophie towards more positive thinking and help her see that there are people who care about her and want to support her. He also advises her to be kinder to herself and to focus on the things that bring her joy, rather than constantly striving for perfection. By the end of the episode, Sophie seems to be more at ease and grateful to have someone she can talk to without judgment.

Overall, "Sophie - Week One" is a poignant look at the struggles of a teenage girl dealing with divorce, pressure, and an overbearing mother. The chemistry between the two actors is palpable, and the writing is both sympathetic and insightful. The episode is a great example of how therapy can be used to help people find their inner strength and overcome their personal demons.