By Tim Stevens
The writer was approached to offer a second opinion on Bobbi Morse, aka
Mockingbird. Morse is one of the earliest victims of the Skrull invasion plan that included kidnapping several heroes and installing shape-shifted aliens in their place. Since her return she has been attempting to reintegrate herself into society, but has found difficulties in doing so. Urged to seek out therapy, she eventually relented and sat with a Doctor Jim McCann. In an attempt to be diligent, McCann also convinced her to seek a second opinion with the writer. Morse signed a release for staff to speak to Dr. McCann and he has kindly agreed to give us his notes.
The most significant portion of his diagnosis follows, quoted directly from his report:
"Bobbi Morse is suffering from extreme Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is affecting her own personal mental state as well as her relationship to others, especially the man she was married to prior to her abduction—
Clint Barton.
She and Clint had
many issues, stemming back to her first abduction and apparent attack by the Phantom Rider, who drugged her and whom she let fall to his death. They have never fully dealt with that.
She has been abducted by the
Skrulls and gone for nearly three years, so combined with returning to a world she rarely recognizes, she is dealing with trust and xenophobia issues.
She has now fallen into her work completely, going back to her roots as a spy and living up to the name Mockingbird as she goes undercover in a mission that she is keeping off the books, hiding from every contact she used to know and dissociating into Mockingbird/Agent 19, rather than Bobbi Morse."
In reviewing his notes, it appeared that this writer had drawn proper conclusions. However, to be entirely sure, Morse was invited in for session and accepted.
In discussing her history and current status, the writer found the client to be very reserved. She was reticent to offer little more than one sentence replies and, if
possible, preferred to give one word answers (yes, no, etc.) even more so. While the client was never outright defiant or refusing to participate in her treatment, getting her to provide information proved to be an exhausting extraction process due to her passive resistance.
However, it was clear that her emotions are quite raw. In discussing her years gone, one could detect a certain raspy quality to her voice, usually indicative of an attempt to hold back tears and/or sobs. Similarly, in discussing her relationship with her husband, Barton, the client would often briefly dissociate, only to return and claimed that she "zoned out" while remembering their past.
The need for ongoing therapy is clear. This writer would suggest that Morse, who has seemingly already developed a rapport with Dr. McCann, continue with her sessions with him. Additionally, it is recommended she begin to attend the Skrull abduction support group being run at Camp Hammond on a weekly basis. Finally, it is imperative if their relationship has a chance of lasting that the client and her husband begin couples therapy as soon as possible. The writer would be happy to facilitate those sessions or to refer Morse to someone else skilled in that discipline if she prefers.
It is also recommended that Morse not involve herself in any spy or super hero-related activities for the near future. In order to be effective in that work long term,
she will need to have her everyday life in order. Failure to do so will endanger her life and the lives of those working with her.
Bobbi Morse already has her next appointment scheduled on March 4 with Doctors Jim McCann and David Lopez. The details of their session can be read in the file marked NEW AVENGERS: THE REUNION #1.
Tim Stevens is a Mental Health Supervisor currently pursuing his Psy D who has experience in dealing with individuals with PTSD.
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