Does anyone see a therapist/counsler?

I don't really know the difference.

But lately I have been thinking about seeing someone I can talk about fears and problems with. Would that be a therapist?

Do I like go in and lay on a couch?

I don't know how it works but I would like to try it.

I just hate talking about stuff with people I know so I think it would do alot of good to get some crap out.

Schnooder,

Hi I'm Connie. I go to a therapist. U don't have to lay on a couch if u don't want to. Mine is great. I can talk to her about anything. I have a PTSD, and a few other things that I need to talk about.

I'm not sure what ur problem is, but u can find a good therapist somewhere in ur area. Also if u have a good friend sometimes they do let u vent.  I know I have some good freinds that let me vent also.  Cuz u can't always get to ur therapist.  All u have do to is ask ur friend if they mind if u vent now and then. What's the worst that can happen?? OH, they might say NO!! So what!! U will never know if they mind or not if u don't ask.

I would never change my therapist at this point. But look on the web and see about one. U can find them by google or whatever search engine u use. Make sure u do ur reach about the one u chose.

Hey U can even Vent to me anytime. I'm here for ya. Just let me know. I'm a good linstener!! 

Hope this helped!

Your New Friend,

Connie

thanks connie, i like your doggie.

Hey Schnoo

I've been to therapist/counselor --they are the same thing. I say shop around until you find the right one for you. I had to try 2 therapist before I found the right one. Also, always ask if they have a sliding scale fee--that way you can get a discount. Sometimes local community colleges or colleges have discounts to people looking for counseling or sometimes through your insurance check and see what they offer. Nope I don't lay on a couch--but I sit on one. I talk about my problems and she listens and gives advice/suggestions. I function better in life because of my therapist. Remember if you don't click with the 1st one, try another one--If you just google therapist or Counseling centers in your area--then you can usually read their profiles and see if you think they would be a good fit.

Hi, 

I am a counseling intern and the terms "counselor" and "therapist" are relatively interchangeable. I believe others have mentioned that you can get free counseling if you are a student and many offices have sliding fee scales. 

You don't have to lay on a couch but you are certainly welcome to do so :-)

It works however you want it to work. Usually there is an intake interview where the counselor/therapist gathers a basic history and you dictate subsequent sessions however you feel comfortable. 

It's great to talk to a counselor as opposed to a friend sometimes. We (are supposed to be ) non-judgmental and empathic listeners who do not offer advice but help you see situations from a different perspective. I hope it works out well for you!

I would if I could afford it. No insurance means spending up to $100 an hour for someone to talk to.

I have a friend who is a therapist.  Basically you are paying someone to be the best part of a friend without the normal human foibles.  Ideally they'll support you into not needing them anymore.

The poor man's therapist is his friends....when your friends cannot stand to hear your problems anymore then it's time to make new friends or start therapy.

Original Post by smwhipple:

 

The poor man's therapist is his friends....when your friends cannot stand to hear your problems anymore then it's time to make new friends or start therapy.

I have friends that will listen. I just want to talk to someone that I do not know on a personal level. I don't like doing that

Therapists can also teach you how to deal with situations. Help you overcome fears. Help retrain your brain to thinking different/correctly. Something untrained friends can't really do.

They can also prescribe drugs (usually).

I saw a therapist for about 4 years (from 17-21).  I initially started seeing her for PTSD, and continued going because of other problems that cropped up in my life.  Nothing was more beneficial to me in that time. 

I never laid on a couch, although I did sit on one.  The therapist sat across from me in a big comfy looking chair. 

I would just go in and talk about what was on my mind.  She would listen, notice patterns, ask questions.  She often noticed things about my life that I did not.  It was always helpful to have someone completely objective listen to my problems.  My friends are great listeners, but sometimes you just need someone from the outside to listen.

Therapy is essentially what you make of it.  You also need to find a therapist who suits you well.  If you don't feel comfortable or if you don't like how the therapist interacts with you, try another one.  They all have different styles as well.  I got lucky and found the perfect therapist for me on the second try.  I will be grateful to her forever. 

I went to a therapist for a couple of years in recovery from anorexia, rape and PTSD.

I didn't feel like my therapist was a "paid friend" as some have suggested. She was not a friend to me but did provide an outside perspective on my life which was very helpful. She also made suggestions about actions I could take and helped me put together plans for my life in the short term. We discussed issues I was finding difficult to deal with and she was not really a shoulder to cry on but did suggest lots of good coping techniques which I still use to this day.

Therapists are very different to friends. Friendships are two-way relationships where you have an emotional investment in each other. Having therapy is a one-way relationship as you never find out much about your therapist, and you don't have emotional investment in each other. That said a therapist can be a great outlet for stress, can make you see your life from a new angle and can suggest ideas, actions, plans, tips and coping techniques when you are down in the rough.

We both sat in comfy armchairs opposite each other, so no lying down on a couch for me.

Original Post by cptbunny:

Therapists can also teach you how to deal with situations. Help you overcome fears. Help retrain your brain to thinking different/correctly. Something untrained friends can't really do.

They can also prescribe drugs (usually).

Therapists or counsellors can't prescribe drugs as they are not medically trained, but psychiatrists can.

I really only lurk here so I hope you don't mind me answering a "personal" question.

I saw a counselor (and later a psychiatrist) for generalized anxiety and PTSD for about 3.5 years, and I really cannot stress how beneficial it was to me. It genuinely helped with many facets of my life, not just the anxiety/PTSD stuff. If nothing else, it's allowed me to become more self-aware--to understand how I'm feeling and to deal with it appropriately.

I would honestly say to give counseling a shot. If you don't like it, you don't like it, and no one's going to force you to go back. You won't be stuck in counseling forever. And even if it's not for you, at least you can say you tried it!

I see a therapist for PTSD from rape. Before I saw her, though, I was in denial that I had been raped, that it was only sexual assault, and "stopped" right before it became rape.

I see her for free through a program my college has called the Victim Advocacy Center. We sit on normal chairs with cushions, not couches. Therapists and counselors I believe are very similar, if not the same thing.

I used to think that if I saw a therapist (my parents told me that they were for crazy or mentally ill people) that I would be out of control of my emotions. But, I have been more in control of my thoughts than I ever have. Therapists help point out to you how/if you have a different perception that makes you view yourself, as well as other people situations, etc. differently.

They are always unbiased, but sometimes I do ask for my therapist's personal opinion. They can help walk you through some possibile solutions to your current problem or situation. It just really helps to talk out every scenario/outcome with a person who is not biased, like a lot of friends are.

It took two years of twice a week therapy with a psychologist (PhD) to get to the point where I could lose weight.  What it did was uncover all the underlying self esteem issues I'd been harboring and that were causing me to eat to comfort myself.  I had lingering effects from PTSD after a nasty divorce. 

No, you don't lie on a couch.  It was more like having a guided conversation.  She also used a technique called EMDR which was very helpful.

She was reccomended by my primary doctor who I really trust.  Finding the right therapist is key.

muttlover's thread had some useful posts on it (and some non-useful posts, but that's a different issue).

I am currently seeing a counselor/therapist. Technically I suppose it's "marriage counseling" but we cover more issues than just the marriage problems. I can say that so far it has been very helpful on a personal level, as well as for the marriage stuff.

Good luck!

I went to see two therapists (separately) when I was having some self-harm issues like 2 years ago? I ended up having a better time working through it on my own (haven't done it since then! ). I always thought she was just pitying me and thought my life was pathetic, and I absolutely hated that. xD Like many others have said, make sure you find the right therapist. 

I'm not against therapy at all, it can be so helpful for some people, it just didn't work for me at that time in my life/with those people. 

I am at he moment involved in 2 different types of therapy. I have my one on one bereavement therapy...which has really helped me grow up and become the Woman I am and want to be.....I also am in a 8 month special Group...It is not Group Therapy..It has 5 members, we meet 1 1/2  hours a week and 2 leaders are teaching me to control and regulate my  emotions.....rather than having them control me....I am an avid supporter of therapy...but the connection has got to be right...It's hard work...takes a lot of bravery and risk taking...but I find it keeps me sane...as sane as i can be right now...and it gives me hope for the Woman I want to be..I  stopped eating when my Husband died..And was just in denial about it...All my Pysicians, assummed the other was taking care of it...till it got very out of hand and my Therapist really made me acknowledge it...and commit to healing myself...

I've been in therapy since I was a kid...Most of them were incompetant and really screwed up themselves..so i warn you to be sure someone is qualified and knowledgable....I see my people through a Community based County Organization, not only are they amazingly smart...but financially affordable.

I wish you all the luck, and feel free to contact me...be my friend...if you have any questions...I am the Therapy Goddess....

Just am DETERMINED to be happy in this life...and healthy as well.