First counselling session this morning.

[cupofteaplease]

What should I expect? I asked to be referred as I am on 40mg Citalopram, the doctor won't increase my dose, yet I am not in a good place. I felt I needed some extra help, but now I'm not sure what to expect or what I should say...

I had a counselling session on Saturday and was very nervous. They will ask you about yourself, why you are there and go through how they will help you. Mine is all about changing your way of thinking.

Good luck.

Thanks mamatomoo my session was exactly the same. She was quite dismissive of my past, didn't want to hear about it, she said the therapy they offer is all about changing your way of thinking from now on in. I'll give it a go, but I wonder if I have too many unresolved issues. Anyway, it's only 5 sessions so nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Sounds like you're having Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It helps you look at the way you think and how this impacts your behaviour.

Eg: I used to see a CBT therapist for agoraphobia/anxiety (didn't do much for me because I couldn't get to the sessions very often-that happens when you're agoraphobic, doh!!) and we would rate my anxiety when I went out, during the outing and then at the end and see the patterns. The more I did this (in theory) the less anxious I would get and I would be able to see the numbers go down.
I was also taught to think in a more positive way (anxiety is just feelings and they cannot hurt me kind of thing).

It can be really helpful in a short space of time. Good luck!!

I'm having counselling through a cancer charity (my mum has terminal cancer and I'm really not coping very well). I'm also on citalopram. I've found the counselling really helpful and be more realistic about what I can and can't do so I don't beat myself up about it as often.

good luck