I just started couseling for when i was sexually abused when i was younger, and do i have to tell my couselor what he did to me in (details) to be able to heal properly????
2007-02-01 13:20:11 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
It depends on what difficulties you are healing from....sometimes you have to disclose, sometimes, it's best not to dwell on it. A good counselor will do what is right and appropriate for *you* either way.
If you need to disclose, say to get old feelings out there and out of your head, a good counselor will let you be safe and will let you do that....and then eventually bring you back to the here and now where you don't *have to* disclose.
If you don't need to, a good counselor won't make you, though there may be some concern in terms of "Ok, is the client hiding something to protect somebody here?" Basically, full disclosure does help, not just in terms of getting bad or toxic feelings out, but in terms of being able to fact-check and verify and *validate* that your experience is real, did happen, and that you are by no means alone. But it isn't always necessary, if the abuse is caught early enough before too many post-traumatic stress issues arise, often you can *just address* the specific events that relate *directly* to current issues, like a fear of the dark being related to being abused in the dark.
Point is, it all depends on what you need.
And a good, well-trained counselor knows this and can adapt to meet your needs either way...It's called "client centered therapy" for a reason.
I hope this helps a little, and that you have all the good luck and fair breaks you are going to need. You have some work cut out for you....
2007-02-01 13:45:41 · answer #1 · answered by Bradley P 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes and no. It depends on your symptoms.
You should not ever feel pressure to give details, share them only when you are ready to.
I would say that no, you don't need to go into detail, except that I am a counselor who has worked with victims of severe sexual abuse, and sometimes to get to the root of certain problems or symptoms that result from the abuse, you need to know what is triggering the problem.
For example, I had a client who experienced flashbacks. Well, certain things can trigger flashbacks, and you need to be able to tell your counselor what those things are.
This doesn't mean that you need to go into extreme detail, but I would argue that, in many situations, some detail is needed. It does depend on the situation though.
Just remember that when you are in counseling you don't need to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Wait until you trust your counselor enough to discuss the details. Healing is an individual process - it is different for everyone. Just take it slow, be honest with yourself, don't be afraid to face the healing process, and you will heal!
2007-02-01 21:42:26 · answer #2 · answered by Amber W 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Nope. You talk about what you want to. It really doesn't add anything to counseling to go into the gory details.
Good luck! Expect that things could be worse for awhile as you dig up upsetting issues, and then they'll get better.
2007-02-01 21:24:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go at your own pace. Whatever you feel comfortable with telling. Your counselor should understand this.
Good luck on your healing. Just remember, your not alone.
2007-02-01 21:51:09 · answer #4 · answered by ♫ Insane_Princess ♪ 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HEY,I'VE BEEN THRU IT.I TOLD MY STORYTO A THERAPIST. THE THERAPIST LET ME SHARE JUST WHAT I NEEDED TO SHARE. AFTER TELLING MY STORY ALL THE WAY THRU I HAVEN'T NEEDED TO TELL IT AGAIN. I FEEL LIKE NOW IT DOESN'T DO ME OR ANYONE ELSE ANY GOOD TO SHARE IT. I STILL DON'T REALLY CARE FOR ANYONE TO KNOW. BUT IN ORDER FOR ME TO HEAL I DID NEED TO TELL IT ALL THE WAY THRU THAT ONE TIME. I WAS ALSO PHYSICALLY BEATEN BY MY DAD. I REMEMBER ONCE THERE WAS VERY LITTLE NORMAL SKIN ON MY LEGS THAT WASN'T BRUISED-BAD. I WATCHED DAD BEAT UP MOM. IT IS HARD TO GO THRU AND SOMETIMES I ACTED KIND OF WEIRD. ONE TIME WHILE I WAS TELLING MY THERAPIST ABOUT THINGS I CLOSED MY EYES REALLY TIGHT. I TRIED TO OPEN MY EYES BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO SEE IN MY BRAIN THE FLASHBACKS. WEIRD. BUT THINGS GET GOOD AFTER SOME TALK THERAPY. I THANKGOD FOR MY THERAPIST. HE SAVED MY LIFE.
2007-02-01 22:23:03 · answer #5 · answered by smiley 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think that you should tell the counselor what you want to unless he/she wants you to give more details. GOOD LUCK
2007-02-01 21:28:41 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to face it. Your counselor will not judge you. Your counselor just wants you to heal.
2007-02-01 21:27:47 · answer #7 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh my gosh i am so sorry. That is so tragic. I dont think they would make you do anything that you wouldnt feel comfortable with.
2007-02-01 21:32:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wish i could take counseling...im scared to ask. but tell them what you want to tell them. good luck!
2007-02-01 22:22:44 · answer #9 · answered by L 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would let them know everything.
2007-02-01 21:24:12 · answer #10 · answered by leavemebe_11 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋