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Mental health

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Flip

Original poster

Can you be honest in counselling?

8 replies

Faceache45 · 30/12/2023 17:08

I don't really trust counselling. I have some stuff I want to talk about, relationship breakdown, anxiety, DV, I'm worried it will be viewed as a safeguarding risk. I'm already dealing with a marriage breakdown and I really couldn't cope with SS on my door.

Is it worth having counselling if your not going to be entirely honest when you share?

OP posts:

bossybloss · 30/12/2023 17:10

My understanding is that you can be totally honest unless there’s a risk to self or others…. But I am prob wrong !

Christmasapple · 30/12/2023 17:10

You should always be honest otherwise the counselling is pointless. I think you’ll find that the bar for a referral to social services is very high though.

Ladyj84 · 30/12/2023 17:10

Be honest, ow are you going to get the help if your not? Been several different ones over the years and no problems just help

Goinoutalone · 30/12/2023 17:14

You can be honest but as a counselling they are obliged to report if you admit to being suicidal or that there is any abuse sexual etc towards children involved

WolvesDiscoandBoogaloo · 30/12/2023 17:16

It's the reason I don't try going to counselling. I've tried before and talking about my personal thoughts and sharing details of my life made me super uncomfortable. So I really don't see the point when I won't talk honestly.

I don't have a solution. I've just accepted that counselling isn't for me.

Balloonhearts · 31/12/2023 14:57

If you aren't going to be honest, don't waste your money. If you trust your counsellor and are willing to be open then try it. Private counselling is better than NHS.

I disclosed something to an NHS counsellor and she reported it and I couldn't talk to her after that.

I see a private counsellor now and short of me telling him I'd murdered someone, there is no reason he would break my confidence. I made the same disclosure and worse to him and neither has left his room. I trust him and there isn't much, if anything that I really couldn't imagine telling him.

Forgotmylogindetails · 31/12/2023 14:57

They have to report any risks to the children or anyone else and rightly so.
be honest or there’s not point doing it.

tescocreditcard · 31/12/2023 14:59

Agree with others. There's no point going if your not honest.

You can leave things out though if your worried about being viewed as a safeguarding risk.

Flip