Columns – Characters on the Couch
Gabriel St Claire our resident shrink turns his attention to solving the problems and exploring the motivations of your fictional characters. Want to find out what makes your character tick? Email Gabriel today.
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Characters on the Couch
A one-sided romantic fantasy
Dear Gabriel,
I’m a university student. I was never away from home before this year. Now I’m living in res. I haven’t had a proper boyfriend before. My English professor is in love with me. And I am with him. He’s never said anything, of course. He’s too shy.
Characters on the Couch
The envy of womanhood
Dear Gabriel,
I’m a divorced woman (recently) in my mid-40s. My husband and I parted after a mutual decision. At first I was happy and really enjoyed having the house to myself.
Characters on the Couch
Same sex encounter
Dear Gabriel,
I’m happily married. Or I thought I was until last week. I’ve been married for nine years and two months. I have everything I could possibly want. We have a nice house, twin daughters and recently bought a holiday house on the coast.
But last week, we went to a party. Everyone had a bit too much to drink and things got a little naughty.
Characters on the Couch
One person’s boring is another’s fantasy
Dear Gabriel,
I’m a gay man in my 20s. Am I old-fashioned? My boyfriend says I’m an idiot.
I haven’t had many relationships. I only came out a couple of years ago. My family hasn’t exactly disowned me, but they make it clear they’re not happy. My mother thinks it’s a phase.
Characters on the Couch
Fabulous sex but wont commit
Dear Gabriel,
It’s been a long time coming. I have been out of a relationship for a few years. But some time ago, I met someone. I think he’s the love of my life. I just knew it, from the first time we talked at length. The trouble is he’s got major baggage
Characters on the Couch
Rekindle sex life
Dear Gabriel,
My husband and I met and got pregnant, just about that quickly. Now we have three small kids and we’re always tired. We never seem to go out, let alone have sex. I’m about to turn 29 and I’d like to rekindle my sex life. What should I do?
Characters on the Couch
True soulmate?
Dear Gabriel,
I’ve been happily married for 19 years. But throughout this period, have been exchanging letters with a man who is married to my best friend and whom I realise now is actually my true soulmate. We have never made love, but I feel that if I don’t act, I will never know true happiness. It seems like an impossible dilemma.
Characters on the Couch
Is anal sex okay?
Dear Gabriel,
My lover wants to enjoy anal sex with me. Yuck! Should I? How? Will I enjoy it?
Characters on the Couch
Successful career but at what price?
Dear Gabriel,
My husband and I are both in our late 30s. We’re both barristers who met at uni. We got together doing our articles and when we were finished we cruised around the world a bit. Then we had to earn some solid cash to pay off our bank loans. Then we had to be pupil barristers, then build up our careers … basically, we now want to have a baby.
