Feeling awful after counselling session

[ADsaremysalvation]

I have been seeing a counsellor for months and it's been very helpful though difficult at times. The last 2 sessions have been really, really hard - dark, heavy stuff. I feel shit now. I do feel it needed talking about, but don't know what to do about the fall out

Not even sure why I'm posting, guess I just wondered if anyone has advice on how to cope with the horrible feelings that have been left behind?

Yes, you have to take great care of yourself while you feel like this and prioritise you and what you need above everything.

Things that can work is allocating time to think about it and crying/ raging/writing down how you feel for that allocated time only.

Distraction - deliberately watch a film or funny comedy to distract your brain for a while - we can only bear so much thinking about it.

But the bottom line is that you just do the bare minimum and cosset yourself til you feel better.

Thanks Laurie, that's a really nice reply. Will be taking your advice

Yes, I can relate to this and have seen similar posts on MN before.

Laurie has given great advice. To elaborate, learn to 'compartmentalise'. Talk to your counsellor, and ask for the second half of each session to be about learning to do this with support, until you feel able to do it yourself after each session (assuming you can find time to). It does get better. Ive had many counselling sessions and am now able to talk about my past trauma without emotion, and pretty objectively. (Although there are still stressors in my life, and I have to practise mindfulness, CBT, distraction, stress busting exercises or games, and other skills I picked up from counselling to stay on an even keel.)

I try to walk to/from a counselling session, even if it means I'll be crying a lot. Or I pack a healthy snack and a good book or line up some comedy on my phone, and find a park bench to sit on. Or I go to counselling in my funning kit and afterwards run a mile before driving home.

I had counselling a few years ago. I found that I left every session feeling a totally different emotion. Sometimes I was on top of the world, other times I was utter wrecked. It's all part of the process so try not to worry, and find something that makes you feel better.

Also, there is nothing wrong with feeling sorry for yourself every now and then. So don't feel guilty if you do have a cry and rage once in a while