How many of you see a councilor? Is it/was it beneficial to you and to what extent? Are you ashamed that you do or were you?

I've seen a counsellor once and a psychotherapist.

As a result I think everyone should have therapy - hoorah!

On a more serious note it's a must as opposed to taking tablets with no therapy.

sj1600 said:

May I ask as to why you suggest that everyone should have therapy?

JDInteractive said:

i think everyone needs someone to talk to
even therapists should have their own therapists

i should practice what i preach

i've been contemplating counseling for about 3 years now
i'm just scared.

I personally have seen a therapist, I don't feel ashamed and yes it did help.

JDInteractive said:

I suppose because it gives you a frightening insight into yourself, why you do the things you do, why you react in certain ways and say the things you do.

Also, you discover which events in your life have affected you long term.

It can be painful but rewarding imo.

Is that how you really spell counseling over there?

I learn something every day.

Oh, and yeah, I was forced into counseling as a kid/teen. It was hilarious and horrific, simultaneously. How are you, JD?

I was told not only throughout my life, but mostly in high school, that i need to see a therapist/psychologist etc...

They came off as joking but i mean damn..everybody i come in contact with?

I've never had one, but something is not right if the whole world tells me this.

I was sent to a child psychiatrist when I was 12 years old. My mom sent me to gear me up to go to court against my dad. I really hated the person I was forced to talk to. Needless to say I did not talk much and did not benefit from it.
As an adult I have sought counseling a few times when I have felt like I needed someone professional and outside of the situation to talk to.
I have found it very helpful. I am not ashamed of seeking help and learning new ways to tackle issues.

INSATIABLE said:

i think he just spelled it as a councilor, like government wise

I went through counseling once. At the time it was good for me, but only for about a couple of visits. After that it was pointless. (I didn't go more than 2 months.) I think just the act of going was good, because I showed myself I was willing to work to improve myself. The actual counseling was pretty lame and really didn't do much for me. I don't think my counselor was a good fit.

CarrieMpls said:

Oh - and certainly no shame on my end. I think it's a strong thing to be able to ask for help when you need it.

CarrieMpls said:

that is absolutely crucial if you intend on seeing results
sorry it didn't work out but you accomplished more than many people can speak for

As a licensed social worker, I can tell you that I think it can be a great thing. However, you have to be invested in really looking at yourself, your behaviors and your attitudes and making changes. You also need to know what you want to get out of your sessions and what your goals are. If you don't find a counselor that you feel comfortable with, you probably won't have any good results.

And yes, I have seen a counselor myself in the past and I did find it helpful. There is nothing wrong with getting help when you know you need it.

INSATIABLE said:

It probably is one 'l'. It was a spur of the moment thread. I'm hilarious and horrific, simultaneously.

JDInteractive said:

That's why I love you.

Oh, and

JDInteractive said:

Absolutely not, because I didn't want to be there. The one time I did open up to a therapist, all of the details were routed right back to my dad (after being assured the sessions were confidential). Boy, that was awkward. After that, I made up as many believable lies as possible to confuse the shrinks. It became so ridiculous that they couldn't 'diagnose' me properly. I'd see someone different every week--at first, I thought that was our cheap HMO policy, but later learned that it was due to their inability to 'connect' with me.


Of course not, though I don't exactly advertise it unprovoked, considering many peoples' view of psychiatry. I think that taking the 'whatever works' approach is admirable when you're trying to get well. I've been through some incredibly low points (as everyone else), and if therapy would have worked during any of those times, I would have jumped at it.

But it's not for me. I personally view psychiatry sessions as opportunities to blame everyone else for my problems, as the shrinks have been far too willing to make me feel like a victim. That is the last thing I need.

It's probably the biggest financial gain for western psychiatry: victimize every patient. You'll sell more drugs and keep them dependent mentally, physically, and most importantly, EMOTIONALLY. Who doesn't love to lie down on a chaise and complain about life to a stranger with no fear of shame, repercussion, or judgement?

INSATIABLE said:

I can think of nothing more disgustingly awkward and horrible. I think that's why therapy doesn't work for me.

CarrieMpls said:

Totally understandable. But I have gaping voids where solid judgment and profound morals exist in other people. I'd probably swagger in there and tell my juiciest misdeeds right off the top just to shock the poor jealous bastard.

Which means a lot of awful things about the kind of person I am.

CarrieMpls said:

I couldn't think of a more pleasant way then to express my ill feeling towards those who deserve it washed down with a free cup of tea and custard creams.

INSATIABLE said:

i don't think that most therapists are like this. maybe lazy ones who don't want to scare clients away by making therapy the work that it should be do, but a good therapist won't encourage you to blame everyone.

JDInteractive said:

Well, if there was tea and custard creams that would make all the difference!

CarrieMpls said:

Did you call my mobile twice on Sunday morning?

I've gone through counciling at two different times and I didn't find it benificial at all.

JDInteractive said:

Yes. Just to say hello, nothing big.

CarrieMpls said:

I assume you were drunk?

i've attempted it at various times in my life and it has never been successful.

at worst - and MOST of the time - i felt like the counselor had worse issues than me, and i felt really uncomfortable trying to open my life up to people who made me feel really creepy and uncomfortable.

i did have a couple of relatively decent counselling experiences, but even those seemed to kind of scratch at the surface moreso than hit a bullseye.

to be honest, i've had far more success writing in a journal or talking to friends.

Anxiety said:

It is very hard to find the right person. I do find that journaling helps me a lot at times.

had counselling off and on over the years (anxiety/depression/panic attacks)

successful when i found the right counsellor, not so good when i didnt

(been on anti depressants off and on as well)


and never been ashamed.....ever


using a journal is good, coz u can look back on it in ur good times and see how far u have come.

prb said:

I am with you all of the way


The weird thing about my journaling is I rarely if ever go back and read them. I think I have once and I thought, WOW...I was really depressed back then...seemed like a life time ago or a totally different person.

It does help to write it down though and get it out.