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Should I carry on with counselling?

3 replies

DeedIDo · 12/02/2022 18:05

I started psychodynamic counselling for what my GP says is cPTSD last November after a wait of 2 years because of Covid. It wasn’t until the third session that we actually started to do any work and after that session I had a complete physical and mental collapse from which I have not completely recovered. I was told that this happens sometimes. We then broke for Christmas and started again in mid January. I think I’ve had about ten sessions so far.

The counsellor says he doesn’t understand why I am not crying in the sessions, which makes me feel that I am not responding properly and makes me uncomfortable. He also talks over me and tells me what I am feeling, except that he is always wrong. I have massive issues with knowing how I should respond to all sorts of things and I do not feel that he understands me at all. He also knows nothing about alcohol dependency and seems to minimise my issues with alcohol, which have accelerated since I have been having these sessions.

I have a heart condition that is exacerbated by stress and I have been very unwell since Thursday's session with chest pain and anxiety.

I don’t know whether to continue or not. I am not seeing any benefit so far, but don’t know whether it is too early. I have lost a noticeable amount of hard won physical fitness since my collapse in November and have not got it back. That depresses me. Two years work down the drain, basically.

I don’t know what to do and I have no-one to ask. My GPs are useless and anyway have refused to see me about my mental health over the last two years even when I have begged.

Anyone?

OP posts:
Saffy321 · 12/02/2022 18:10

I would ask for a new counsellor.

Hayisforhorse · 12/02/2022 18:14

I would swap to a different counsellor. You have to gel with them, and he sounds actively bad (talking over you etc).I find a good relationship with a counsellor is when they help you reach conclusions yourself, with little moments when they have insight that makes you go 'oh yeah!'.

It does take time to see progress, but this sounds like the wrong person for you.

dizzydizzydizzy · 12/02/2022 19:35

I think you need a new counsellor.

I spoke to my GP about a counsellor that I once spoke to who I didn't gel with and she told me to insist I didn't get than counsellor because it would be of no help.

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