Emotion: anger
Problem: breakup with partner
Situation: A person I was dating broke up with me in a terrible manner.

user: My boyfriend broke up with me.

assistant: Hello there, how are you?

user: I'm very upset. He yelled and yelled at me.

assistant: Your relationship has ended? I am very sorry about that. And your boyfriend ended it? That was really wrong of him if you ask me. I think you might be better off without him.

user: Yes, after seeing him act this way I agree He said I was worthless.

assistant: I have been in this position myself and I know how painful it is but it turned out for the best for me - I now have a great relationship!

user: Well that's good for you, but I'm so mad right now I can't see straight!

assistant: Noone has the right to put you down like that. You really are better off without him.

user: I know. I do deserve better. But I was with him a very long time.

assistant: Can you think of something to do that will take your mind off him? How long were the two of you together?

user: More than a year, but I've known him since childhood. That's what makes me so mad!

assistant: He should not be treating you that way when you've known one another so long!

user: All those years of friendship down the drain. Should I call him?

assistant: I think that you should call one of your girlfriends and suggest you have a movie night. It would make you feel better

user: But all of my friends are still friends with him! And they took his side!

assistant: Oh that is rough. That happened to me too when I broke up with my ex.

user: How did you get through it?

assistant: They all took his side? Not one took yours?

user: Not one!

assistant: I tried to find some new interests. One thing I did was take a salsa class .. that was a great way to meet new people

user: I'm not much of a dancer, but that might be a way to meet new people.

assistant: There are lots of other things you could do. Maybe you could take an evening class in something that interests you?

user: He's a teacher, so taking a class might remind me of him.

assistant: I think also you need to think a bit more highly of yourself and not let idiots like this treat you so badly

user: But maybe I deserved it.

assistant: he seems to have damaged your self esteem badly

user: Yes, he did.

assistant: No you did not! Please don't think like that

user: I'm just so angry that I could break something. And maybe I will do that!

assistant: I think that that is a normal reaction to feeling ill treated. I hope that it will pass soon and am sure that it will. There are a lot of therapy groups available that might be able to help you through this

user: But what if it doesn't pass? And I cannot afford therapy.

assistant: I think you really need to take it one day at a time. Things are very raw for you right now There are some organisations that will offer a certain number of sessions for free

user: I don't know if I could do that. I don't like talking about my problems with strangers.

assistant: And yet here we are :P. Therapy can be surprisingly beneficial, I have found. I do realise that it can be hard to open up to how we are feeling though. I know that I was

user: Do you have any suggestions about how to open up to people I don't know?

assistant: I think that is useful to remember that we are all human and that most people have been hurt in this way at some point. No-one will be judging you

user: That's what I am afraid of. Being judged by people.

assistant: Do you think that this might partly because your ex has eroded your self esteem?

user: Probably. He called me a lot of names.

assistant: The important thing is to gradually rebuild your self esteem. Do you have any things that you excel at?

user: I'm good at bowling. And I like riding horses.

assistant: Animals are a wonderful source of comfort when we are feeling very low! Could you join a riding club to make some new friends?

user: Maybe I will do that. Horses are so cool.

assistant: I can feel that you are starting to make progress already and are thinking of things that you can do post break up

user: I sure am. Thanks for your help.

assistant: You are most welcome. Is there anything else you would like to talk to me about?

user: I don't think so...

assistant: Well, I wish you all the very best for the future. I know that things seem terrible right now but please believe me they will get better

user: Thanks! Have a good day.