How do you talk to a therapist?

Question

I have problems trusting my therapists, I always think that if I talk to a therapist I'm just seeking attention, and that I'm making things up to the therapist. I know I'm not, but I feel like I am.
I know my parents told me that the school counsellor told them I was just an attention seeker after I tried to kill myself at 14, and they told me that the therapists all said that I was an attention seeker at the hospital when I was being discharged, even though I had bruises on my arms and legs of my parent's doing.
But when I say that, I feel like I'm lying, because they say that that never happened, even though I saw it and all the nurses saw them and even asked where I'd got them.
I have severe trust issues with therapists. I also keep on thinking I'm making things up. What can I do about this?

Answer 1

When I was your age, quite a long time ago. I started cutting myself, my mom took me to a therapist, and that therapist also said that I was seeking attention. Well yeah I was, my father was sexually abusing me. I told the therapist, and he didn't believe me either, thought I was lying, or tying to get more attention. Now that was a long time ago. I am 49 years old now, and have come to understand that they didn't report abuse back than as much as they do now. Yes, they made me feel like an idiot, my 10th grade school counselor also straight out asked me if I was being abused, I said yes, and he said okay, just don't let it effect the way you are acting at school. When you get negative responses from therapists it is common to not trust them. Just keep believing in yourself, find the right therapist, because they really can help you, and don't ever feel that you have done anything wrong. You are not making things up, and don't let anyone and I mean anyone tell you that you are. Please, please, please, trust yourself. Get better kiddo. Don't ever give up.

Answer 2

Hon, it's not therapists alone with whom you have issues, but probably everyone! Trust issues are definitely difficult to overcome.... if your parents are abusive, there's your number one reason for having trust issues.... think about it.

therapists are there to HELP people who have issues, and if you are really an 'attention seeker', well this is an issue in itself.

if your school counselor is so DUMB that he or she really did make the statement that you are an attention seeker trying to kill yourself, that therapist is entirely misinformed, AND TOTALLY STUPID, hon.

People who are so distressed that they try to kill themselves aren't seeking attention, but rather, they are at the end of their rope! And their problems seem bigger than their ability to cope with life.


If you are continuing in therapy right now, please take a deep breath and please consider your own well-being. I have been in and out of therapy for literally years! And i go when i feel the need....

Sometimes we need to talk with someone, and our problems are REAL... If you have an issue with your therapist, feel like you are "lying" then tell the therapist... talk about it...

You can write a list of FEELINGS before you go to therapy. Try it. This will give you time to "discover" how you are really feeling.... Let the therapist you want to discuss serious issues, learn to cope. If you are honest with the therapist about your feelings, they can help.

Therapy works when we put the effort into OURSELVES and work the program. Take what you need from the therapist, and leave the rest.

I am only saying these things from experience. It's sometimes painful and emotionally draining to be in therapy.. when we WORK it, it can be exhausting. But this emotional drain, and the work we do really does help us in the end.

Please try it for YOURSELF.. no one else... you deserve good things.

I have posted a website below which has helped thousands of people, and which has resources for help listed... i hope that, if you take the time to look, it will be helpful.

Answer 3

Why do you think you are making things up? Only you know if you are lying and making things up. Maybe you feel you have to say something, anything to warrant seeing the therapist in the first place. Be honest with yourself first and then be honest with the therapist. If you are seeking attention, then say that and it may be part of your problem that needs to be talked about and resolved.

Answer 4

I'd ask the theripist what he thinks and if he thinks the same way I'd get another therapist and keep on trying different ones until some listens. I had that problem with my parents too. My physisian sent me to a phsychologist and we been talking for 8 years now. Get someone who believes you.

Answer 5

Be strong.
Know yourself.
Trust yourself.
Then you can trust the therapist.
You just said you know that you are not lying.
That's a start. You have to believe you are right. A therapist can only help you when you let him or her in. The therapist only can understand you and what you are going through by what you tell them.
You can do it!

Answer 6

((( Hello! ))) :) Now, this is a good way to start...don't you think? "Peace!" :)