Feeling guilty about counselling

[MyNiftySheep]

My regular therapy session is this Thursday which is my daughter's exam results day. I have moved the session from its usual lunch slot to a mid afternoon slot but feel guilty and selfish about going. I considered moving to other day but may clash with other social plans (which may not happen due to teens/tweens disagreeing) and then we are away for a few days. She is very anxious with regards to getting into the courses/college that she wants. Obviously if she is very distressed/upset then I will cancel.

I also need to tell my husband that I am back in therapy - he doesn't know. As I am coping better now than when I was in therapy a few months back, it is hard to explain to him why I am going and I feel like I can't justify it to him.

How do others explain therapy to their loved ones without going into reasons?

You shouldn’t feel guilty and it’s important you go. That way you’ll be best placed to support your daughter - you can’t pour from an empty cup as they say.

Also with your OH, you shouldn’t have to justify why you go to him, or tell him the reasons.

I think it is good to explain with roundabout wordings to people around us. You can say you are getting help without saying for what.

I think these feelings are a good reason to keep your session. You've already said if she's very distressed you won't go, but otherwise you need to do this for you. To feel guilty about going to therapy which will benefit you and in turn your family is unusual. What's the point in not going? You're around when she gets her results, have a few hours to discuss if needed (might not), go to therapy, back an hour or so later. What's your husband doing in this time?

Thank you.

I think the guilt comes from keeping it secret, the cost and it feels self-indulgent. I couldn't disclose SH and other things to my husband, and have only been able to discuss in therapy. I am paying the fees myself but it is an expensive commitment. My husband was aware of the therapy a couple of weeks after I initially started it and was supportive at the time, although he did hint about exploring NHS mental health resources as an alternative and possibly medication. A few weeks later there was then a slight rapture with my therapist and I said to my husband I would stop (he was also annoyed about it). I went for an ending session but actually continued.

The morning will be busy with uploading exam results on college sixth form portals and trying to enrol in person for the preferred sixth form (which is very oversubscribed).

My husband will be working from home during the day.