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Original poster

Counselling; I don't know what to expect.

26 replies

BubblegumPie · 11/03/2013 14:29

I've got myself booked in for counselling tomorrow for my depression and anxiety.

Unsurprisingly, this is making me very anxious!

Would anyone who has had counselling before be able to give me a rough idea of what to expect? I can't imagine just telling a stranger all about my problems. I'm feeling quite panicky at the thought. Blush

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 11/03/2013 14:32

Bubblegum I felt exactly the same the first time. I got myself into such a tizz. But it was fine. The counsellor asks questions makes a few notes and it just flows. The hour went by in a flash.

Original poster
BubblegumPie · 11/03/2013 14:35

Thanks sparkling I'm trying not to think too much about it as I'm sure it will be fine once I'm in there, but if I get too worried about it I'll end up not going.

I think them asking questions will be good, I was worried I'd have to initiate everything and I wouldn't know where or how to begin!

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Sparklingbrook · 11/03/2013 14:37

Oh no, it wasn't like that at all. I thought it would be. I sat in the car mulling about going home, but I am glad I went in.
My anxiety about talking about me meant I went as red as a beacon and got that rashy chest/neck thing though.

TooYappy · 11/03/2013 14:41

You will be fine, I try to talk myself out of each session before I go (for no apparent reason) then get there and feel better for going. I see a lady Nurse Therapist, she is very nice, first few sessions were getting to know me and my worries and now she sets me a certain things 'to do' and I tell her if I have done them or not. usually it's not Blush

I would quite like a lie down tbh. All this counselling gives me a sore ass now, it does go in very quickly!! Good luck, please try to go as you will feel better within yourself!

Original poster
BubblegumPie · 11/03/2013 14:41

I get a nervous lisp, so that should be fun!

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Original poster
BubblegumPie · 11/03/2013 14:43

Thanks Too, what sort of things does she set you? Confused Please don't say gazing into a mirror and declaring undying love for the person within

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TooYappy · 11/03/2013 14:43

Don't worry I develop many things when I go to my Therapist, the ability to speak properly seems to be one.

You should see me trying to say cognitive behavioural therapy.

I don't even attempt it anymore, I mumble 'the CBT thing you know?' Blush

She knows!

TooYappy · 11/03/2013 14:46

No mine are very simple things:

Do a little bit of college work
Then Walk dog
Do more college work
Then have a bath
have lunch
do more college work....

Go see CAB (took 3 months)

I've had a bath! DS walked the dog, College work is erm... in it's folder.

Work in progress!!

Original poster
BubblegumPie · 11/03/2013 14:49

Ah, that doesn't sound too painful.

Thanks to both of you, I'm feeling better about it now. I'm definitely going to go tomorrow, though I think I will be a gibbering wreck when I get in there no matter what!

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Sparklingbrook · 11/03/2013 14:57

Come back and let us know how it went? Good luck xx

TooYappy · 11/03/2013 15:00

Don't worry, I am still a gibbering wreck after many weeks! It's good to talk to someone tbh, someone who can help, I know how you feel, I had counselling for something else last year, it was Group Counselling, I swore I would remain silent.

That lasted until I had something to say and by the end of the sessions I was talking/crying/laughing with a group of women. Blush (they were too though)

Original poster
BubblegumPie · 11/03/2013 15:00

Will do sparkling Smile

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Sparklingbrook · 11/03/2013 15:01

One of the things she said that stuck with me was that people with anxieties actually look for 'something to hang their anxiety on'. That really rang true for me.

Original poster
BubblegumPie · 12/03/2013 17:05

Hi, I went today and I actually quite enjoyed it in a way. Is that strange?

Once I started talking I couldn't stop. Loads of stuff just came pouring out, it felt really good to get it all out. Some of it I hadn't even realised was an issue until I said it.

Will be interesting to see what happens next week!!

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TooYappy · 12/03/2013 17:14

That's really good. Smile

I did the same at my first appointment (and still do), but the 2nd time she read back what I had said at my initial appointment and I was Blush at some of the things I had told her.

Well done! Do you know if it is CBT you will be doing?

Sparklingbrook · 12/03/2013 17:24

Well done Bubble, did it go really quickly?

Original poster
BubblegumPie · 12/03/2013 17:29

Yeah, when he said we'd have to talk about that next time because the session was almost up I was like whaaat?!

I don't think it's CBT, he didn't say anything about that. He just let me blabber on really. I don't know much about counseling to be fair, so it could have been CBT for all I know. (I have a vague idea of CBT involving trying to break habits etc?)

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Original poster
BubblegumPie · 12/03/2013 17:30

Thoughts going round my head very quickly atm, feels like my brain has woken up. So sorry if I'm not making much sense!

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Sparklingbrook · 12/03/2013 17:32

I did find after the first few sessions my head would be spinning with everything I had been made to think about. It did lessen after a while.

TooYappy · 12/03/2013 17:36

I was going for 8 weeks before I found out I was doing CBT.

Yes, it involves training the brain to (how to word it?)

Training the brain to respond to anxiety better. I think. Keep going it gets easier every week and hopefully you will be better and have no need for it in time.

Original poster
BubblegumPie · 12/03/2013 17:36

He did say something about next week wanting to talk about what i want rather than what's going on currently.

That surprised me because I thought it was all about finding out what's wrong and fixing it.

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TooYappy · 12/03/2013 17:38

Yeah it brings everything to the surface I find.

My DS is going for anxiety, we had his initial appointment today, so my mind is spinning with my DSs life, from birth to 12 years old. That took 2 hours.

It's good to get it all out!

TooYappy · 12/03/2013 17:41

Maybe he meant a specific thing you want to work on?

Such as anxieties around driving for example?

I know I was asked this at appointment 1 or 2. I chose an answer she mentioned it to me the following week and we have never mentioned it again.

Something else usually gets in the way. Usually life tbh

coughingbean · 12/03/2013 19:08

Tooyappy- glad it went good for you, I have had a few therapists that I didnt gel with. But is seems you have a good one.
Remember you may try to talk yourself out of going to the next session but stick with it! Thanks

coughingbean · 12/03/2013 19:09

Ok I clearly didnt read the post clearly! Blush I ment for my message to be directed at Bubblegum Blush Blush