Lesbian Counseling......?

Question

Does it work? Im talking about couples counseling & individualized counseling. I've never been big on the whole Shrink idea because to me they're people who get paid hundreds per hr to listen to me talk & then make their own opinions on my life. I can call my mother up for free for that!!! But my girlfriend thinks it may be a good idea for sum issues we r having & im willing to do anything for our relationship. Any thoughts & maybe referrals for any Counselors/Therapists in the Oakland/San Francisco area???

Answer 1

Some things I will agree that they can be solved if the people actually take the time to talk and think things through together. The advantage of having an experienced counselor is that they're like a guide through working out your issues. They know the traps to avoid and where certain paths lead. They can save you a couple messy break-ups and help salvage a relationship when there doesn't seem to be a shred of hope. If you two can't make it work yourselves and counselor might be able to help.

Answer 2

Here is my take on counseling. I have been through counseling before and I did find it helpful. Sometimes it's good to have a neutral, third party input. It helped me to be able to see things from an entirely different perspective at times and shed some light on matters that you might not have always considered. I think that if you are committed to your girlfriend then you should give counseling a try. Be open minded to the idea that this is for the benefit of this relationship! Good luck!!!

Answer 3

I personally think it may be usefull. Yeah you can go to your mother, but your mothers opinion may be one sided. Your mother will tell you when you are wrong but she will also (being your mother and you her child) see things your way. In couples therapy the "shrink" is someone on the complete outside. They don't know who you are or anything about your realtionship except what you choose to tell them. The idea of paying them the amount that they want to charge a patient is absurd, and I would have to agree with you on that. And you never know how you will feel about the situation until you give it a try. Just for the sake of your relationship and it seems this is something your girlfriend wants to try and there is no harm in trying.

Answer 4

Well, in theory, your mother has not had any formal training in human psychology. A "shrink", whether a psychiatrist, a psychologist or a licensed social worker (counselor) have had training in order to understand why humans do the things they do and why they do them that way. Your mother may have life experiences, but she hasn't seen everything.

I would recommend going to a session at least once, to find out what goes on. Get a list of questions together, and see what you get. Good luck to you!

I don't live in the SF area anymore, so I can't advise you as to whom to see. Ask around, and when you call to make an appoinment, ask the receptionist if they counselor works with gay issues, gay couples.

Answer 5

if you need relationship counciling, go for it. and i'm sure most therapists and councilers don't care about your orientation.. they will still help you.

so i say, if you need to discuss your problems that you and your girl are having, go to the therapist!