Counselling

[masterofpuppets]

Um, i was just wondering if anyone has been to counselling & if it was helpful etc. The main problem is that i can't talk to people so how am i going to be able to talk the to counsellor?
I'm supposed to be going to see a counsellor next week but i'm so nervous it's making me sick with fear ::

 

[madmike]

Hi, i took some uni counselling once and to be honest it didn't help me much. The counsellors themselves were really helpful, but i just felt uncomfortable with the whole experience and couldn't really open up to them. I mean, i find it difficult opening up to some of my closest friends, so doing it with a complete stranger was almost impossible.
I think i went to about three sessions, but by the end i was so paranoid and kept thinking about how they must be judging me badly that i packed it in...

If you want my advise, i'd say try hypnotherapy. I found a good hypnotherapist in my area and asked to be treated for a nervous tic and help trying to relax in social situations. I never admitted to her that i had social phobia, but just said i had confidence issues. It definitely gave me a bit of a boost when i needed it most- i still listen to the recording she made for me from time to time and i find it comforting!

 

[Kinetik]

I've been in counselling for some time (about a year and a half) and I can't say it's been all that great. It's pleasant to be able to talk about some of my feelings without being judged, but beyond that, it's a lot of me rambling and my counselor sitting there nodding every so often. That's because I like talking without having ideas forced down my throat which he knows and in that sense, he kind of plays in to what I want (probably because the money's good).

But I can imagine that if you're shy and not a big talker that it's daunting and may not be so helpful, especially if it's not coupled with CBT or some proactive treatment method. I think you have to try and vocalize as much as you can if you want the help, though. So I would say make an effort but don't expect miracles. You get out what you put in.

 

[Feathers]

Hey Puppetz! You are brave! You can type up or write stuff and give it to the counsellor to read? Maybe you could even arrange for some e-mail counselling? (Some have this option.) Might also wanna write down any questions for him/her?

It really depends on the person, some people on this board have been quite happy with their counsellor.. There are various options and it's good to know what the person you're seeing uses and specializes in. Is it CBT or other things? Some specialize in SA and could probably be most useful? You can learn a lot from books too (which is what I did).
For introduction to CBT, The Feeling Good Handbook by Dr David Burns is really good!
You can check if your therapist has a profile online, see the pic, read the bio, so you can get to know them a bit? For me, it's helpful to research unknown people for a bit before meeting up..

If you don't click with your councellor you can always go see someone else and see if you two click better? Some see a few to find someone who really helps them. Hope yours will be helpful already! Keeping fingers crossed for ya!!