Has anyone had counselling or therapy?
what did you get from it?
what form of therapy was it?
would you go again?
what did you get from it?
what form of therapy was it?
would you go again?
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No, but I probably should. I have so many issues that I haven’t properly dealt with but I find talking to people about them (especially strangers) so uncomfortable.
I'm an alcoholic, and am currently going through some online counselling with Alcoholics Anonymous, and another private councillor.
The only problem I have with these people is that they state the obvious, and there's nothing they advise that can't already be found through a simple Google search or YouTube.
I will continue for another month or so, but I really don't think they are for me, especially since we can't really see each other face2face until this lockdown/tier thing finally comes to an end
The only problem I have with these people is that they state the obvious, and there's nothing they advise that can't already be found through a simple Google search or YouTube.
I will continue for another month or so, but I really don't think they are for me, especially since we can't really see each other face2face until this lockdown/tier thing finally comes to an end
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I have. It was 'person-centred' counselling, where you're asked open-ended questions and the therapist kind of steers you but doesn't directly advise you.
It wasn't for me; I realised that I'm far too private to be spilling my guts to a stranger. But I think it's definitely worth anyone trying, and I do think that if I stuck at it I'd have got something out of it. The moment I decided to quit was when I described a recurring dream of mine and I started welling up unexpectedly; the therapist noticed and asked why I thought I was reacting so strongly and I just noped right out of there. If I'd stayed and finished the 'exploration' of what I was feeling I'd have probably gotten something great out of it, and another type of personality would probably relish that whole experience, so I'd never recommend against it.
It wasn't for me; I realised that I'm far too private to be spilling my guts to a stranger. But I think it's definitely worth anyone trying, and I do think that if I stuck at it I'd have got something out of it. The moment I decided to quit was when I described a recurring dream of mine and I started welling up unexpectedly; the therapist noticed and asked why I thought I was reacting so strongly and I just noped right out of there. If I'd stayed and finished the 'exploration' of what I was feeling I'd have probably gotten something great out of it, and another type of personality would probably relish that whole experience, so I'd never recommend against it.
I have had counselling. To be honest, it didn't do much for me. I filled out a survey at the start of each session and she only seemed interested in whether I was suicidal or not so I didn't feel very validated in my problems or issues.
I feel like a lot of what she said was incredibly obvious to me. I understand therapy can be guided by yourself and what you want to talk about but she asked me next to nothing, no guidance at all, not even steering me. It felt incredibly awkward. I am super private too which probably doesn't help. I thought something was wrong with me as it didn't help at all but found out years later than counselling often doesn't work for everyone.
A few people have mentioned to me as well that sometimes you need to try a few different therapists or counsellers to get the right one. Honestly that sounds like my idea of hell - I have no desire to continuously spill my guts to lots of different people. I would never recommend against it as I know that it absolutely must and does work for some people.
I feel like a lot of what she said was incredibly obvious to me. I understand therapy can be guided by yourself and what you want to talk about but she asked me next to nothing, no guidance at all, not even steering me. It felt incredibly awkward. I am super private too which probably doesn't help. I thought something was wrong with me as it didn't help at all but found out years later than counselling often doesn't work for everyone.
A few people have mentioned to me as well that sometimes you need to try a few different therapists or counsellers to get the right one. Honestly that sounds like my idea of hell - I have no desire to continuously spill my guts to lots of different people. I would never recommend against it as I know that it absolutely must and does work for some people.
Yep , in my early teens. I had problems at school. I had to talk to a counsellor, they kept asking questions that didn't have anything to do with the problems I was having, like when my grandma died.
Counselling might be ok if you just want someone to listen, rather than to analyse your behaviour.
Counselling might be ok if you just want someone to listen, rather than to analyse your behaviour.
Big love and respect for you taking a step in the right direction
Do you feel you’d benefit more from a solution focused therapy? It sounds like your counsellor is very person centred which ultimately is just reflecting your thoughts and feelings back on to yourself, sometimes quite eye rolling
have you had a look into different forms of therapy ?
Solution focused/art therapy etc?
it sounds very person centered which when I’ve asked others, they have the same feeling as you, that it was awkward and no direction
I had counselling just as I turned 21 & I wish I got help sooner. I was having panic attacks & was depressed due to the actions of a family member, I felt my parents to easily forgave him & thought he had changed (he hasn't, never will & he is now totally disowned by the whole family). I eventually went to the dr after my thoughts of suicide started to become constant. I was prescribed antidepressants & referred to counselling.
I'm a very private person, my family struggle with communication, I was always the one that listened to my friends problems & gave advice but felt like I had no one to speak to. I'm still like this I guess but counselling helped me so much. I think as someone said above I needed someone to listen as I knew the root of my issues. If I hadn't got help when I did, I'm not sure I'd be here today
I'm a very private person, my family struggle with communication, I was always the one that listened to my friends problems & gave advice but felt like I had no one to speak to. I'm still like this I guess but counselling helped me so much. I think as someone said above I needed someone to listen as I knew the root of my issues. If I hadn't got help when I did, I'm not sure I'd be here today
Yes. I found counselling less effective although it made me feel better in the moment. Therapy ‘proper’ has changed my life. For me, nothing changes unless I understand why I’m reacting to things the way I do, so CBT etc. didn’t massively help - I personally needed someone to go back in time with me and help me figure some tit out. I know not everyone is like that though - some people are more disciplined about just changing their thought patterns etc.
I see it more as going to the gym than going to the doctor - I think good therapy can help almost anyone and can prevent things from becoming a big deal or a ‘problem’. I’m a huge advocate and could talk about it all day
I see it more as going to the gym than going to the doctor - I think good therapy can help almost anyone and can prevent things from becoming a big deal or a ‘problem’. I’m a huge advocate and could talk about it all day
that sounds so helpful, what do you class as ‘proper’ therapy? Did it have a name or a theory behind it? Or certain approach ?Yes. I found counselling less effective although it made me feel better in the moment. Therapy ‘proper’ has changed my life. For me, nothing changes unless I understand why I’m reacting to things the way I do, so CBT etc. didn’t massively help - I personally needed someone to go back in time with me and help me figure some tit out. I know not everyone is like that though - some people are more disciplined about just changing their thought patterns etc.
I see it more as going to the gym than going to the doctor - I think good therapy can help almost anyone and can prevent things from becoming a big deal or a ‘problem’. I’m a huge advocate and could talk about it all day
Yes currently having counselling even though she keeps telling me that she thinks I don’t need to see her anymore. I was going for the release of my father coming out of prison turns out I have more issues with my mum. It has really helped me and recommend it to everyone!
Good point, I should have said more on that - for me the distinction is between someone who is trained as a counsellor (no shade on that at all, btw!) and a psychologist. I found my most recent one on an online platform and she had specialisations listed and one of them was what I’d armchair-diagnosed myself as needing help with!
I have had therapy.
A friend recommended my therapist to me actually, I went to my first appointment very prejudiced because not only am I extremely private but I also find being emotional or open in front of people very difficult. (My closest friends have seen me cry maybe twice over the course of the last decade.) I was very distant and defensive and going for my usual way of sarcasm but being made to face the actual emotions and memories made me treat them differently.
When I think about it, I say it didn't help much but it helped me see depression and anxiety as something that happens to me rather than being all of me. I continued for a few months and had progress but the appointments had to stop for a while for personal reasons and I haven't went back since. It is important to meet the right person though. If there is a lack of connection or if you feel unsafe or simply constantly misunderstood by them, you won't be benefiting from your time together. I suggest anyone who wants to go to stick it out for a couple of meetings if they can and make up their mind afterwards. I also never thought "recovery" would be so aggressive and challenging. When people mention getting better, we tend to see the end result but lord knows I was absolutely mentally drained and exhausted.
I received EMDR from my therapist, which according to what she told me, can be very challenging for the patient. I don't know if I would go for this particular treatment again as it took a lot out of me because I was so stubborn about opening up, but I would be lying if I told you that it was in vain.
A friend recommended my therapist to me actually, I went to my first appointment very prejudiced because not only am I extremely private but I also find being emotional or open in front of people very difficult. (My closest friends have seen me cry maybe twice over the course of the last decade.) I was very distant and defensive and going for my usual way of sarcasm but being made to face the actual emotions and memories made me treat them differently.
When I think about it, I say it didn't help much but it helped me see depression and anxiety as something that happens to me rather than being all of me. I continued for a few months and had progress but the appointments had to stop for a while for personal reasons and I haven't went back since. It is important to meet the right person though. If there is a lack of connection or if you feel unsafe or simply constantly misunderstood by them, you won't be benefiting from your time together. I suggest anyone who wants to go to stick it out for a couple of meetings if they can and make up their mind afterwards. I also never thought "recovery" would be so aggressive and challenging. When people mention getting better, we tend to see the end result but lord knows I was absolutely mentally drained and exhausted.
I received EMDR from my therapist, which according to what she told me, can be very challenging for the patient. I don't know if I would go for this particular treatment again as it took a lot out of me because I was so stubborn about opening up, but I would be lying if I told you that it was in vain.
It should be defined at the booking stage what type of counselling it is. Some are just a listening service for people to offload. Others analyse behaviour and feedback to you with tips and advice. I myself found cognitive therapy helpful but I accessed it online and thru reading, not face to face.
I had counselling and it really helped me. It was organised through the NHS and it lasted a few years. I really missed seeing her, but by that time knew that I was brave enough to handle things alone and go my own way. I really felt safe with her.
I had private person-centred therapy. Wish I accessed it years ago. Gave me a lot of closure from historic issues, it enabled me to build my self esteem, by not blaming myself for prior events.
I would absolutely go again. My main concern, when my mental health deteriorated, was bottling everything up. I have an excellent support network, but feel reluctant to share sometimes, due to the reactions loved ones can have. Having someone impartial to help “connect the dots” with is life changing
I would absolutely go again. My main concern, when my mental health deteriorated, was bottling everything up. I have an excellent support network, but feel reluctant to share sometimes, due to the reactions loved ones can have. Having someone impartial to help “connect the dots” with is life changing
I had private counselling a few years ago and last year I had CBT through the NHS.
These have helped me but they don’t wave a magic wand and undo the past or erase the scars or memories. Talking to a stranger helped as they couldn’t judge me.
I won’t ever understand why I was treated so badly... there are some answers I’ll never know but what I do know is that my life is so much better now.
These have helped me but they don’t wave a magic wand and undo the past or erase the scars or memories. Talking to a stranger helped as they couldn’t judge me.
I won’t ever understand why I was treated so badly... there are some answers I’ll never know but what I do know is that my life is so much better now.
Lord I’ve had so many counsellors how long have you got 
I now pay privately for a therapist and it’s changed my life tbh. The nhs and charity ones aregreat but I don’t think 6 weeks is long enough really especially when you have quite complex issues from childhood.
I’ve been in and out for 8 years so I consider myself a connoisseur
Sometimes it jsut helps to have someone rationalise something for you. Even if you do think it seems stupid (which it’s not cause it comes from somewhere)
I now pay privately for a therapist and it’s changed my life tbh. The nhs and charity ones aregreat but I don’t think 6 weeks is long enough really especially when you have quite complex issues from childhood.
I’ve been in and out for 8 years so I consider myself a connoisseur
Sometimes it jsut helps to have someone rationalise something for you. Even if you do think it seems stupid (which it’s not cause it comes from somewhere)
Genuine question as I see lots of you found counselling really helpful - how do you get over the embarrassment and guilt afterwards of talking about private things with a stranger? I’d always feel ok during sessions and then afterwards I’d pick the session apart and think “god why did I say that, what must she think of me?!” or just generally feel like a gob for ranting at this poor counsellor for an hour. I’d make myself feel guilty that my problems aren’t that bad, and she must be judging me for being so self indulgent. After 3 sessions I felt like she must be fed up with me so just gave up really, I didn’t think I could get anything from it. I’ve spoken to people (friends/colleagues) about my experience and the consensus is I’m just a weirdo who overanalyses everything. It just really put me off “talking therapy” in general and I still feel icky when I think about it even though it was years ago.