any advice with councillors? help please xx?

Question

ive just been told by the school nurse to go see an out-of school councillor. i self-harm and i'm thought to be depressed. i've been working with people at school for a while now but it's not realy helping. i'm not sure if i want to go to this councillor/therapist though. i dont like talking to people and aren't very good at opening up. i'm very much a person who kelps themselves to themselves.
i have to make a desicion though.

any advice? also any experience with councillors and stuff i would be very grateful for (i.e. what happens, what they ask)
i have no idea what to do or say if i go. i'm really worried what it's going to be like.
please help. xx anything is much appreciated.
thanks xx

hi,
thnx for everything so far.
i thought id let you know that i live in the netherlands so seeing my 'gp' isn't possible. 1 because i dont have a gp and also it would be hard to find a good english one.
thanks though so far
xxx

hi guys.
thanks for taking the time to help me. its much appreciated. if you have any more info keep it coming please.

girliefootballlover, you told me to email you but i cant. your email address doesn't work, please email me.

thanks again xx

Answer 1

I am a counsellor. The tough part is getting in door. If you're harming yourself, then realizing that something is wrong, and not letting it defeat you is important. Now is the time to protect your future. So good job beginning the process of taking out the garbage that's been piling up. Give whoever you chose a few times to earn your trust. You feeling safe is the critical issue. Ask about confidentiality limits. The best part about seeing a counsellor is they have a way of seeing over your obsticles and safely guiding you. Think of it as a big log across your path. You just need some help clearing the way so you can get on with the path your life was meant to take. If you have choice and it's not someone chosen for you by social services, then meet a couple and decide. My experience is that a cognitive behavioural therapist may be most benefical. Look for someone with experience dealing with youth. Good luck.

Answer 2

I have seen a counsellor and found it very helpful. I was nervous at first and was afraid that they would take notes. If the counsellor had attempted to then I would have gone elsewhere. That is why I found it best to see a voluntary counsellor and told him I didn't want any record taken of what I said.It is best to see someone who has some training. Priests and vicars are very helpful if you ask them. Actually just my telling someone how I felt lifted a weight from my shoulders. Before my second visit I wrote down all the things I had done in my life where I had harmed others or they had harmed me. I wrote down basically the things I had buried deep over the years and hoped would never see the light of day. A good way to start would be to write your life story and then make a list of all your resentments and fears and what you think caused them. If you feel able then try and discuss it with the counsellor. You will be amazed how you feel after each visit. I felt that a ton weight had been taken from my shoulders.
Good luck and God bless you.
PS Don't leave your writings around-I burnt mine after each session.

Answer 3

Going to see a counsellor can be the most relaxing experience. You go to make of it what you want. If you want something out of it then let that known to your consellor. Your consellor should always be someone you feel comfortable with. Try to have some blind trust in the begining. They normally will begin sessions asking background information. They want to know your life style, about your family and basic information so that they know what you are dealing with in your life. If you have an feelings about anything you are there to have a safe place to talk about them. Counsellors will not judge you. If they do then they should be fired. Take the time you have with your counsellor to learn not to keep to yourself and bottle everything up. It's not healthy. A counsellor will most likely help you see life in a more positive way. You could commit self harm for many different reasons. If you don't know why you do it, your counsellor will help you figure that out, and change it to a behaviour where you do not harm yourself. Don't expect sudden changes right away, this takes a lot of effort from you. If you want a change in your life and the way you feel the first step is talking about it.

Answer 4

I'm a bit like you in the sence that i'm not very good at opening up to people and struggle to communicate with others with regards to my feelings and emotions. I suffered from depression and was reffered to a psychiatrist, i went for the initial appointment then never went back - i hated it. I found it very intrusive and pretty ghestapo like (may just have been that particular psych).
I'm not saying it's all like that, i'm sure there must be some good ones out there somwhere. Only you can decide if you should go or not, but take into account that if you find it stressfull or unhelpfull it could make you worse instead of better.
I used to find that writing it all down helped a lot. I had no one to write to so i would write to myself or a letter to a friend that i would never post.
You could see if there are any online therapists that you could work with by email - that way you can talk to someone without having to feel so vunerable. (just a thought).

Answer 5

Hi I have a sibling who used to self harm, however after getting counselling she no longer harms herself.
I hope you understand you don't have to talk to anyone if you don't wish to, but it could help you quite a lot. Depending on the type of counselling you receive you usually make a contract on what you want to get out of it. I suggest that you are honest and if you feel upset tell the councillor you wish to leave that matter till later, then after some time you can go back and find out why. The councillor will always respect your wishes you have nothing to fear. Good luck

Answer 6

NEW INFO FOR YOUR AREA..
The Netherlands Mental Health Care Association ... and pressure & the guideline : interventions for the restrictions of freedom in the Mental Health Care ...
www.onderzoekinformatie.nl/ en/oi/nod/organisatie/ORG1239231/ - 17k - Cached - Similar pages

MinVWS | Mental health care
Mental health care in the Netherlands is divided into general, categorical and specialised institutions. Next to these, there are independently operating ...
www.minvws.nl/en/themes/mental_health_care/ - 8k

look them up on the Internet we have the American psychological association and nih and nami for info.
www.nami.org/
www.nih.gov/search.asp/16
you should have similar or use our resources as best you can...
choosing a therapist can make all the difference.
see if you can find a support group fro your condition and go and ask others who they like and don't .and sometimes especially if your not tickled about one on one the support groups work out better.
its better if you can do both.
enter this in the search and find a local resource "Mental Health Advocacy"
just tel them how you feel they will lead most of the conversation.
if they think you are a danger to yourself they would get you stable somewhere fro short time or maybe some meds.
just go slow and build your trust with someone just as you would a new friend.
unless you feel suicidal then blurt, baby blurt. let them get you somewhere. boring but safe for a little" vacation"..

good luck and feel better!

Answer 7

i have been to different therapists. I firstly understand your apprehension about the thought of going. It's normal and I really went through it at the start. I think as humans we all like to keep our personal stuff to ourselves. however a professional like that can really help. it will take a little time for you to build up trust and open up. If you don't know what to say, say that. Say how you are feeling exactly at that time, what being there is making you feel like. Don't be afraid of your feelings and emotions. Let yourself go if need be. Get angry or cry or laugh. They are well used to all that but take it seriously for each individual. Being face to face with someone will help you name whats causing you to self harm and what is behind the depression. Don't be afraid. It does demand courage to go and just be honest. give it a fair go unless it is intolerable. Best of luck to you. just be natural. Talk about your week, your thoughts, feelings etc. It will help you more than you can imagine right now.

Answer 8

Councillors aren't there to judge you,they offer advice.
They'll listen to what you have to say,listen to your explanations as to why you want to harm yourself and your depression.
The more you can tell them why,the better understanding you can have of yourself.
It is nerve wracking at first,but you will be made to feel at ease.You'll probably find that talking to a complete stranger,who doesn't know you or anything about you,very easy to talk to.
As you can talk utter nonsense,until you start feeling comfortable with them.
I have seen a councillor myself,and after the initial wariness,i found that i was able to look at things a lot differently and with open eyes.
The information i gathered from my sessions,were both helpful and informative,not only to myself,but to my family as well.

Answer 9

All I can suggest is take a close friend with you, so you feel comfortable during the interview, and you have somebody who can speak for you, and who you can ask for advice during the interview.

I wish you all the best, good luck. Oh, and by the way, you can do this, councillors are there to help, not judge you.

Answer 10

I have seen a councillor a few times when i was younger, dont worry about them asking you questions, its more about you talking to them, their job is to listen. I think you should go it is sometimes good to talk to someone who doesnt know you and WONT judge you in any way. Dont worry if you find it hard to talk, take your time and only start talking when you are ready. love and best wishes 2 u huny.xx