Counselling/therapy?

jediquigley

i would recommend counselling - i work for a mental health trust so luckily we get couselling for free and with quick access - i had 6 face to face sessions in 2010 and then 8 telephone sessions in 2011. both lots of sessions helped - especially the last lot as the counsellor really helped me rationalise feelings and learn how to deal with them. its really good to be able to speak to a professional, someone outside of family and friends.

there is a stigma still attached to mental health and i remember the first time i had couselling i felt a bit ashamed and silly about it all, second time around i became more accepting that everyone has hard times in their life when they need a bit of extra support.

you were saying you cant change some of the things that have happened or are currently in your life but you can change the way you deal with them and react to them, a counsellor will help you do this.

you can either get referred via your GP - there will be a waiting list which is different in different areas or go private - get a recommendation of someone if you go private.

all the best ,

Laura

rev229

The best thing i have ever done was seeing a fantastic pychologist. I had a serious car accidient and was refererred to him by the insurance company for 10 sessions! It took a year I had to pay quite a lot towards it in the end but it was the best thing i have ever done. I had a lot of issues and slowly he helped my to sort it all out. It was very emotional and I was very depressed and on anti depressants along side the therapy. But I can honestly say it has been life changing! I had given up work and thought I could never return as i had lost all my confidence nor did I ever think I could drive again. Well I have returned to my old job after a seven year break, so much more confident! No-one walks over me anymore and I am so much more confident! As for driving, no problem at all, I had a mixture on CBT and EMDR (google this). I really recommend you give it a go, nothing to loose and so much to gain!!

JS123_2

Thank you to all of you for sharing your experiences - I really was expecting a mixed bag of responses and the wholehearted support and encouragement alone has given me some food for thought. It has made me think about counselling in a different light, and got me wondering if it might be helpful, even if not in the way you'd originally expect. As most of you have said, there's nothing to lose by trying it I guess.

I'll have a longer talk to my OH about it and see where we go from here, but your replies have already made me feel more hopeful, so thank you all for taking the time to reply and share your experiences and thoughts. It's actually been very helpful already, and so supportive, you have no idea how much I appreciate it.

Xxx

SueC_2

JS123 wrote: »

Hi,

I can't change that my dad and sibling died, I'm trying to find a new job but the job market is limited at the moment... I'm not in denial about things, I think I'm actually (most of the time) coping well and going to work, doing my job well, catching up with friends and not isolating myself, etc. I'm not clincially depressed, just feel like life is going nowhere....

You're right, there's a lot there that you can't change. However, you CAN change the way you feel about it / cope with it / move on from it. And that's what's counselling is there to help you do.

I would definitely say give it a go.

Although the one word of caution I would give is that counselling (like any relationship) is a very personal thing, and that there is no so such thing as a 'good' or 'bad' counsellor, but it is about finding one that works well with you and your 'issues'. If you decide to try it, choose your therapist wisely (there are some excellent resources on the web), but if, after a couple of sessions, you don't feel you are getting anywhere, rather than give up, try a different counsellor. (Although I'm not sure how much of an option that is if you go the NHS route).

Really, try it... what have you got to lose?

Savvy_Sue

SueC wrote: »

Although the one word of caution I would give is that counselling (like any relationship) is a very personal thing, and that there is no so such thing as a 'good' or 'bad' counsellor, but it is about finding one that works well with you and your 'issues'. If you decide to try it, choose your therapist wisely (there are some excellent resources on the web), but if, after a couple of sessions, you don't feel you are getting anywhere, rather than give up, try a different counsellor. (Although I'm not sure how much of an option that is if you go the NHS route).

Really, try it... what have you got to lose?

And another vote for 'give it a go.' My boss practically insisted that I should see someone after I'd had a tough couple of years: I was functioning (as you are) but struggling inside. I've been back a few times since and am thinking of going again ...