Have an appointment with advocate...
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Have an appointment with advocate...
| Mon, 05-24-2004 - 5:48pm |
I finally did it. Called the local shelter and have an appointment to talk with an advocate later this week. So freaked out about this though. Feel like I am living someone else's life. Had a hard time keeping myself together talking to the receptionist. Can't imagine how I am going to manage to be intelligible when talking to the advocate. I must admit, every muscle and bone in my body wants to flee and not go to that appointment. The thought of walking into that office and actually "saying it" to a stranger face to face... Shudder.
Kick me in the rear here people. I know I should do this, especially for my kids, but I am not wanting to...

1) Don't feel like you have to hold anything together for the folks at the shelter.
CL-Blueliner4
I have my appointment next week. We'll see. Best to you!!
Honestly, it was kind of .... weird. For a couple of reasons, I think. One, I was incredibly uncomfortable talking to someone I didn't know about something as personal as my marriage, my family. Saying things out loud is a heck of a lot harder than sending it out anonymously into cyberspace. I'm sure you all know what I mean.
Second, I guess I am just not all that used to the way counselor-type people react to things. Or rather how they don't react. It's odd to be talking to someone who, at least in appearance, is completely unaffected by anything you say. As someone who interacts with people for a living, it feels very strange when I cannot sense any reaction. Made me feel off-balance the entire time and at the end of it, I was wondering if perhaps I have been overreacting to the problems in my family.
She also mentioned some concern about "online groups" and the potential for people to kind of absorb others' problems. Sort of a group think kind of thing, I guess. I don't know exactly what she meant by that but again, it seemed odd...
I maybe sound like it was horrible, and it wasn't. She offered some communication strategies to let my H know things were bothering me without putting him on the defensive. "I" statements, stuff like that. Also gave me a couple of names of local counselors that I could call. Asked me if I was safe.
I would be interested to hear what other people's first experience with these folks have been like. Wondering if mine is typical.
I haven't seen a counselor at a shelter, but have seen a counselor in general.
Peace and hugs,
Cheryl =)
The minute you settle for less than you