For those in counseling...
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For those in counseling...
| Thu, 06-09-2005 - 12:00pm |
Did you get anything out of counseling? I just started back after over 18 years and I basically have no memory of what went on. What do you discuss with your counselor? Did it help? Do they just listen and/or make suggestions? I have no idea what to expect or how it will help me.
Thanks for your help!
Jodie
Thanks for your help!
Jodie

Hey jodie, my names Val. in been in counciling on and off for years. but i always just stopped going. this is the first time i've stayed in counciling without dropping out and its been about 3 consistant years now.
Counciling has helped me tremendously, it's great when you have an educated unbias opinion where you can just let it rip! i personally like the fact that i can say whatever i want and i don't have to worry about it getting "spread around"
each therapist is different. my first therapist concentrated on my past, childhood, teen years etc. her asked alot of questions, he was pretty intense and aggressive, he got me to stop trying to feel sorry for myself by identifying certain "triggers" not allowing me to get away with an "i don't know response" when i left his office i felt totally riped open but somewhat "cleansed, purged" it was exausting but productive.
the therapist that im seeing now is not aggressive at all. he's very low key and lets me do most of the talking. at firs it was disturbing because i was so used to the aggressive treatment of my other therapist (he retired) but as time goes on i'm starting to get it and it's not so wrenching as the other pdoc. i actually leave his office with a smile on my face. he doesn't believe in bringing up the past he'd rather give me the coping skills to handle the problems i have TODAY to help me cope in the FUTURE. our sessions are more like conversations whereas my other therapist was more duels take no prizoners. it may sound wierd but it's not as bad as it sounds. i could scream, cuss, punch pillows, yell at HIM, it certainly is *different* lol!
they listen AND make suggestions. its just freeing to know that whatever you say there will never be heard by someone else. i talk about my DH, Girlfriends, family members cause come on!, you know they all can get on your %$#@ nerves!
i hope ive been helpful, your sure to get many responses from your post!
valerie
I've been in therapy for several years, and it has helped tremendously. I started going because I was very depressed. I've been depressed all my life and finally couldn't take it anymore. I had other issues to work on...perfectionist tendencies, social anxiety, marital problems, self-esteem, confidence, etc. I recently divorced, so now I focus on getting through that. My counselor is very soft-spoken and mostly listens. Usually after I explain a behavior or situation, she will give me her assessment. You get an unbiased perspective from someone who's on the outside of your everyday world. At the beginning of our sessions, I go down my list, filling in her on all the things in my life--work, kids, family, etc. Then I usually get into deeper stuff like my feelings, behaviors, etc. We have developed a relationship to the point of being able to talk as friends sometimes. When you can get a good exchange going, that helps a lot.
One of the things my counselor does is ask very probing questions. They don't always mean a lot at the time, but when I leave, inevitably something will click. That's how I've made progress. She hasn't done the work for me, she's gently pushed me along through her feedback and questions. I am so strong now compared to three years ago. I'm more confident and lots happier. She helped me gain the strength to leave my XH.
I really hope you will have a positive experience.
((Jodie))
I agree with what Val and Ting said. I have had all different experiences in counselling and therapy. Then again, I've had all different people, personalities and roles: guidance counsellor, chaplain, 2 public health nurses, family doc, 2 therapists and pdoc, now a new tdoc and pdoc 5 years later, and a disability counsellor and pastor.
I was actually discussing this with tdoc this week. She wants to know how I want things to go. If she should guide our sessions more or what. I said yes I'd like a bit more structure to keep from just talking away about insignificant stuff. We were supposed to talk about my poems and art (instead of cutting) 2 sessions ago, and we only got through the art. So, I emailed her the poems so that she could have already have read them before our session. But we didn't even get to them this time either.
She had also asked me sessions before that what I wanted out of therapy and I eventually made a list of goals which we went through but have since forgotten it feels like. I guess i should bring that up. I have a really tough time speaking up though sometimes. So, I like to make notes about what I want to/need to talk about in my appointments. For some reason that makes me more likely to bring them up.
Wow, I thought I had very little to say! HTH
Amanda