Not sure about counsellor

[iamme21]

I started counselling about a month ago, I have anxiety which has been made worse by some trauma I went through last year.
The sessions are via zoom, with cameras on. I noticed last week that the counsellor was stifling yawns through the session. My appointment is a Monday, put it down it catching up from the weekend.
Howrver, it was the same this week and it’s starting to make me feel
uncomfortable, like I’m boring him?
Nor sure what to do, any ideas?

Is this private counselling or via nhs. If private you should change counsellor - you shouldn't be left questioning whether they have any interest in you.you deserve better than that.

I’d call him out on it first to see his response before deciding whether to ditch him.
“Sorry, am I boring you?” or something similar.

Why does being private make a difference, a trained counsellor is a trained counsellor doing a job, regardless of who pays them.

Yes, you should question whether or not they are committed to you.

Thanks for your responses. It’s NHS counselling. I feel really uncomfortable on camera as it is, and I don’t think I have the confidence to call him out on it. Not sure if I can request someone else or if I would just get thrown off the list if I did.

@Littlemissprosecco I asked the question because it makes a difference as to how you get a different counsellor.
(Private - just change them. NHS - need to jump through a few hoops unfortunately.)

@iamme21 did your gp refer you? If so I would go back to them to say that you have significant concerns

Yes sorry, I just wasn’t thinking!

This is good advice OP, especially as you don’t feel able to confront the counsellor about this directly

Even if it’s NHS you should be able to switch counsellors. For example assuming you are a woman you should be able to choose to have a female counsellor if you prefer. Not saying it’s anything to do with him being a male but they should accommodate your preferences & sometimes it isn’t a good match between client & counsellor. He definitely shouldn’t be stifling a yawn- not a good look!

Your counsellor should be doing better but it sounds like you're stuck with him for now. And you feel awkward about challenging his yawns. Do you prepare for the session by writing down topics you want to cover? If you keep him on his toes it may help. He may find zoom sessions difficult too - harder to connect with each other. Please persevere as you may get some sound advice along the way.

Thanks again.
I think I’ll give it one more week and if it happens again I’ll speak to the admin team and see what they say.

Had my session today, and he’s leaving! Just got to wait to be allocated to another therapist now.

Oh that’s good news! Hopefully you’ll get someone more receptive as your next counsellor.

Thanks

I'm a therapist myself and I'm really sorry to read that you've had this experience.
It's maybe a blessing that he's leaving. I realise this means you will be in the situation of having to start with somebody new, but hopefully your next person will be a better match.
What I can suggest is that you make use of the feedback element of therapy.
In every session you should be asked for feedback on how you've felt about the session, you are allowed to be open and truthful with this. It can be really beneficial to the therapist's own learning so if you experience anything you aren't comfortable about please know that you are allowed to say.
I wish you all the best in your counselling journey.

@chicjen thanks so much for your response. I realise I only had 4 sessions with this therapist, but not once was I asked for feedback
Im still waiting to hear if I’ve been allocated another therapist, but will bear in mind what you have said.