Page 22 of Guess Again
“As you know, bringing counseling online wasn’t revolutionary. Many tried to do it before me. But our philosophy is what’s unique. All the other online counseling platforms are based around the concept of treating sick patients. It’s a terrible model, as you can tell by how many online counseling companies are failing since we’ve come into the space. As I mentioned, we help healthy clients become healthier. That’s one of the reasons we’ve grown so quickly. The other is that our clients are given the option of staying anonymous, and that’s been the real game changer.”
“Tell me how that works.”
“A client seeking our services is able to approach us through our online portal, choose a psychologist, and then undergo sessions not only from the comfort of their own home, but also anonymously. Many clients, thanks again to the intentional negative connotation the medical industrial complex has attached to mental health and therapy, still feel stigmatized by speaking with a therapist. Clients who feel marginalized have the option of speaking with one of our therapists anonymously. We’ve found that this has allowed many who might otherwise not have sought counseling to come forward.”
“How does a client stay anonymous?”
“Our online platform is state-of-the-art. I majored in psychology at UW Madison, but I minored in computer engineering. Since I was young, I’ve always had a knack for computers and coding. And I applied that background to the first generation encryption prototype we now use across the country. For those clients wishing to stay anonymous, they utilize an online filter that hides both their face and their voice. Our therapists will sometimes ask specifics about the client, such as gender and age, but it’s entirely up to the client how much they wish to share. The encrypted, anonymous filters are managed by a third party to ensure our clients’ privacy. And many people who might not have sought face-to-face counseling have come on board through the anonymous online portal.”
“Amazing,” Gayle said. “So it sounds like you were, perhaps, initially interested in computer programming as a career?”
“I was. And that was the plan. I was going to get my degree in computer engineering and move to Silicon Valley. But those plans got derailed and I made a shift to psychology.”
“What changed your trajectory that inspired you to go into psychology?”
“Well,” Lindsay said, puckering her lower lip, “inspiredis probably not the right word. But there was an instigating factor.”
Lindsay shifted in her chair.
“When I was in high school, my best friend went missing.”
“Callie Jones,” the reporter said.
“Yes. Callie disappeared without a trace from our little town of Cherryview. It left many people, including myself, reeling with grief. Callie’s mother, sadly, was never able to overcome that grief and took her own life. I was heartbroken and had so many questions. I needed badly to speak to someone about how I was feeling, and to find a way past my grief. But my parents didn’t believe in psychology or therapy. They had fallen victim to the idea that mental health was something to hide. Something to deal with privately and on your own. Time heals all wounds, and all that nonsense from back in the day. My freshman year of college, I took an intro to psych course and learned that there were ways to deal with grief, and your feelings in general. I decided then that no one should go through what I was going through. At least not alone and without guidance. I wanted to help people overcome their grief, no matter what was causing it. It was then that I realized I would dedicate my life to that cause.”
“And so, from a terrible tragedy—the loss of your best friend—you’ve managed to find meaning in life while simultaneously helping so many others. Your story is very moving.”
Lindsay blinked several times to prevent tears from spilling down her cheeks. She maintained her powerful CEO persona as she smiled.
“Thank you.”
CHAPTER 25
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Wednesday, July 16, 2025
LINDSAY LOGGED OFF HER COMPUTER AFTER FINISHING HER FINALcounseling session. Each hour-long session was taxing, and Lindsay was relieved she was finished for the day.The New York Timesinterview from that morning felt like a week ago. As she rubbed her eyes, she heard a knock on the door.
“Sorry to bother you,” Beth said. “But there’s someone here to see you. I told him he needed an appointment but . . . he’s a detective, I think, and said he needed to speak with you.”
Lindsay sat up straight in her chair. Whatever fatigue she had been feeling evaporated.
“A detective?”
“He said he needed to speak with you about Callie Jones.”
Lindsay lifted her chin slightly. She’d read the articles over the last few weeks about Callie’s dad reopening the case. She figured it was only a matter of time before someone tracked her down.
“Show him in.”
A moment later, a good-looking gentleman walked into her office. He was tall and fit. Only his graying temples betrayed middle age.
“Dr. Larkin?” he said. “I’m Ethan Hall with the Department of Criminal Investigation.”
The man showed Lindsay a badge.
“Did Callie’s dad send you?”
She saw the man pause with indecision.
