councelling session...

[georgiamay]

I've just been booked in for an "Initial assessment" session with a councellor. I'm going to go to it, but I'm pretty fucking scared. I've typed things over the internet, like on VT and msn and stuff, and I've spoken to people on the phone about my problems, but I've never done it face to face with someone.

I know it's supposed to be better, I know it should work, but I'm scared. I can't face actually saying the words out loud. I've never said, "I have a problem with cutting and burning myself." My dad just found out, I never actually said it to him. I never admitted it to anyone verbally, I just nodded when they asked me.

I'm not sure what I'm trying to say here...
Basically, I'm scared I'll clam up, and I won't be honest, because I've never actually spoken the words before. I've typed them on VT, but I've never spoken them.

How the fuck am I supposed to go from never talking about it at all, to talking about it for an hour non stop?
I'm kinda panicking a bit.

[The Batman]

I don't think they are going to expect you to say everything on the first visit. So just say whatever you feel comfortable with saying and just remember that they are there to help you.

[Nobody]

I don't think either that you'll have to talk too much. These people has met already quite a few people with this problem and I bet plenty of them had difficulties talking about it. And I think it's something councellors have to expect and be able to cope with it.
Actually, I was once booked at such session too. And I had exactly the same feelings and worries that you're talking about. Just as you I never talked about it and didn't feel like I'd be able of doing it at all. Let alone when I was supposed to talk to person who I didn't know and was about to see for the first time in my life. I was worried she would judge me, that she'd look at me as at the stupid teenager who's wasting her time. Of course she didn't. And she told me not to worry, that she wouldn't force me to do anything I didn't want. That maybe it's gonna be easier than I thought and once I'd be sitting in her consulting room (or whatever it's called), I wouldn't be so stressed and would be able to talk. And if not then she could talk and I'd be just listening, possibly nodding or just answering questions. And maybe during the session the tension would fall off and eventually I'd be the one talking.
I don't know if any of this can be any helpful to you (or if it at least makes any sense), but hope so =) Just don't worry and remember they can't and won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. They are there to help you, not to stress you even more.
You have my admiration for doing this :yes: Even making the first appointment is something that many people never finds power to do. I hope the treatment will work for you and you'll stop this once and for all. =)
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!!! :)

[georgiamay]

I don't think they are going to expect you to say everything on the first visit. So just say whatever you feel comfortable with saying and just remember that they are there to help you.

thanks Tom :)

I don't think either that you'll have to talk too much. These people has met already quite a few people with this problem and I bet plenty of them had difficulties talking about it. And I think it's something councellors have to expect and be able to cope with it.
Actually, I was once booked at such session too. And I had exactly the same feelings and worries that you're talking about. Just as you I never talked about it and didn't feel like I'd be able of doing it at all. Let alone when I was supposed to talk to person who I didn't know and was about to see for the first time in my life. I was worried she would judge me, that she'd look at me as at the stupid teenager who's wasting her time. Of course she didn't. And she told me not to worry, that she wouldn't force me to do anything I didn't want. That maybe it's gonna be easier than I thought and once I'd be sitting in her consulting room (or whatever it's called), I wouldn't be so stressed and would be able to talk. And if not then she could talk and I'd be just listening, possibly nodding or just answering questions. And maybe during the session the tension would fall off and eventually I'd be the one talking.
I don't know if any of this can be any helpful to you (or if it at least makes any sense), but hope so =) Just don't worry and remember they can't and won't force you to do anything you don't want to do. They are there to help you, not to stress you even more.
You have my admiration for doing this Even making the first appointment is something that many people never finds power to do. I hope the treatment will work for you and you'll stop this once and for all. =)
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!!!

thanks hun :)

You're both right, I'll stop panicing now :P

[Lights]

I think there's a good chance that the counsellor will become something of a friend to you. It's their job to help you through your concerns and the easiest way for them to do it is for them to befriend you. I'm not saying it's a fake friendship, it's just the way they'll connect with you.
I think you're really going to appreciate having met this person because they're going to get you through everything. And the best part is, your sessions will be confidential and your parents won't have the right to know anything you said in there. Knowing this, you should feel free to express your true emotions and thoughts.
I'm sure you'll be nervous for the first five minutes, but you'll quickly warm towards them and vice-versa. So don't you be worrying your little socks off, eh?

You'll be fine, Georgia! http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y291/theclashrule4/msn_thumbs_up.gif

[Mike321]

As the other have said really, they wont expect you to tell them everything on thefirst visit,, just say what you are comfortable with.
And your parents wont know what you've said, as Rolo said, they will become like a 'friend', to make you feel more at ease and every is confiendtial anyway
You'll do fine, dont worry
Good Luck :)

[MadManWithaBox]

Well, the first, and most important, and as shit as it sounds, the first step to solving a problem is admitting you have one. And talking about is the best thing you can do, if you're not entirely comfortable initially. Just don't say anything you don't wanna say at first, and see how it goes.

[georgiamay]

thanks guys :)
yeah, I'm just going to go to it and say what i feel comfortable with, and then just see how it goes really.
Thanks :D