I am currently seeing a counsellor at uni. I find her great and I wish it was long term support but is it just me or does anyone else find that they get very nervous on the day they are supposed to go and always feel like cancelling, even though they know it's not that bad? Just wondering..any thoughts?
2007-03-19 12:24:22 · 9 answers · asked by SH2007 6 in Health ➔ Mental Health
Yes, actually as a psychologist and as a therapy client, I've experienced what you're describing from both sides! It is very, very common to feel like calling and cancelling on the day of your appointment--which is one of the reasons that most counselors have a "rule" that you have to pay for the session if you don't give at least 24 (or 48) hours notice. What I have found out (again, both as a counselor and as a client) is that very often when I, or my client, am into a period that may be very useful and helpful in treatment, I want to cancel. Sometimes, I actually used to be late to therapy because it seemed like such a big deal at the time, only to get through the session and find out that I had learned a great deal about myself and how to deal with whatever issues it was that I was seeing the counselor for during the session. It was just difficult to get to that point that I was able to deal with whatever it was, and I wanted to put it off. It is also really common for people with depression and anxiety d/os to have something seem like a really big deal, to build it up in your mind, but when you go through it, you find out that it wasn't so bad after all. Sometimes, I felt as if changing was even more scary than staying the same way--even though what I was going through was difficult and uncomfortable. It's something about the nature of knowing the discomfort of what we're in already, uncomfortable as it may be, as opposed to not knowing what change might be like.
Anyway, yes, I do know what you are talking about! I know about it in all the clients that I've worked with over the past 16 years as well. Probably everyone that has ever gone to counselling has felt that way at some point in his/her course of treatment.
What worked for me (as a client, and then I have successfully used it with my clients too) was that I would figure out a small "reward" for after my counselling session, something such as going to a movie I wanted to see, going for an ice cream, meeting a friend, or out to lunch after the session. That really helped me to stay on track with my appointments too. Just a thought...I hope that you usually make it to your appointments, even when you don't feel like going. It does get better!
2007-03-19 12:51:22 · answer #1 · answered by Megumi D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, its normal to feel apprehensive on the day you see your counsellor.. After all you'll probably be talking about some things that you find hard.
However- try and brave it, in the long term it will help a lot and your lucky to have found a counsellor who helps you.
Although you may not feel like it at this time- in the long term you may not need to see a counsellor so you won't need it forever, so don't worry about the fact s/he is only for the short term.
If your still needing support when your time runs out s/he may be able to refer you to another, or you could find another who you feel comfortable with.. There's a lot of counsellors out there- its unlikely its just her who can help you.
2007-03-19 21:07:48 · answer #2 · answered by Elsie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes when I was seeing a counsellor I felt that way The reason is because you going to talk about very personal problems.
2007-03-19 19:37:48 · answer #3 · answered by fisherman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I know exactly how you feel. Its like all the anticipation just builds and builds and you want to relieve it by just not going. I once did that when my fav author came to town and was giving a talk. Planned to go for three weeks and on the night of I bailed. I think its just the anticipation that is getting to you.
2007-03-19 19:49:40 · answer #4 · answered by cyranothe2nd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should tell your counsellor that you feel that way, you can then explore why you feel like it and why you wanted to ask other people if they had experienced similar feelings.
2007-03-20 08:01:16 · answer #5 · answered by Queen Victoria of Port 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's normal 2 feel nervouse b4 u go 2 c yur counceler.Don't worry about.Just take care of yurself & yur nds.Good luck!*
2007-03-19 20:00:09 · answer #6 · answered by Joyful 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try and be confident and stick with it. - You obviously know that you're benefitting from the sessions which is goona help you in the long term so what's to be worried about??
2007-03-19 19:32:46 · answer #7 · answered by Smarty 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't like to go either, it's annoying but once you get there it goes by fast
2007-03-19 19:46:01 · answer #8 · answered by Like Nothing Else 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yeah i get nervous too but i still go and curse out my therapist because i hate her
2007-03-20 16:18:17 · answer #9 · answered by mkandfa4rever 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋