1. < Mental Health

Is counseling helpful?

Posted by BHS @bhs, Nov 19, 2012

I just started to see a counselor this month and am wondering how others feel about it? I have some things I have never discussed with anyone and do not believe I can. Nothing criminal or such, just life that happens.that can not be changed at this time. Worse during Sept. thru March. Until now my MD, who used to be a Dr. for a mental hospital and very smart has been subscribing as with all Drs. trial and error.
My question are: Is counseling helpful? and a psychotherapist or psychiatrist? And are you comfortable addressing personal info?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

BHS | @bhs | Nov 24, 2012
In reply to @annheaney "I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload..." + (show)
@annheaney

I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload about problems and to learn how to use the mind in how to deal with mental illness. This works for my disorder- schizo-affective disorder. It helps me think in healthier ways and gives me advice. Rest assured. A pill can only do so much. Mental Health problems sometimes require a professional opinion. Since I am not a mental health professional I cannot tell you whether you should see a therapist. You may want to ask your doctor...It is good that you opened up to this website. Seeing a counselor or therapist is a safe relationship which I am very comfortable with

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I am Baptist. And I agree completely.! Living in a small town makes the selection limited as to therapist. Everyone knows everyone else's business. I went to the next town and lo and behold my therapist is from my town. And I do not trust them not to talk. Maybe not names but enough info people can figure it out. Not that they are bad, just human and everybody talks about work! LOL!

REPLY
Ann Heaney | @annheaney | Nov 25, 2012
In reply to @annheaney "I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload..." + (show)
@annheaney

I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload about problems and to learn how to use the mind in how to deal with mental illness. This works for my disorder- schizo-affective disorder. It helps me think in healthier ways and gives me advice. Rest assured. A pill can only do so much. Mental Health problems sometimes require a professional opinion. Since I am not a mental health professional I cannot tell you whether you should see a therapist. You may want to ask your doctor...It is good that you opened up to this website. Seeing a counselor or therapist is a safe relationship which I am very comfortable with

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I pray right now that you will get the psychiatric care that you need and that your therapist will keep your words confidential...I live in Madison, Wisconsin. There is a lot of competition between medical providers, because there is a world class teaching university here. When I lived in Stevens Point, Wisconsin there were not many choices for my medical needs.

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HansS3 | @hanss3 | Nov 26, 2012
In reply to @annheaney "I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload..." + (show)
@annheaney

I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload about problems and to learn how to use the mind in how to deal with mental illness. This works for my disorder- schizo-affective disorder. It helps me think in healthier ways and gives me advice. Rest assured. A pill can only do so much. Mental Health problems sometimes require a professional opinion. Since I am not a mental health professional I cannot tell you whether you should see a therapist. You may want to ask your doctor...It is good that you opened up to this website. Seeing a counselor or therapist is a safe relationship which I am very comfortable with

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Hi BHS

A counselor is legally required to keep your information confidential, with the exception of imminent danger you will harm yourself or in some criminal cases.
If you can find a psychologist that is registered with a Federal or State association you can be very certain they will be ethical. Sometimes counselors will belong to a small group of co-counselors to get a perspective on a patient's obstacle but they will not reveal their patients name or any issues other than the specific difficulty in understanding The other counselors are bound by the same confidentiality as your therapist. A counselor that reveals a patients information can be reported to the regulating association he reports to and it is serious as he/she can be banned from practicing.

As you develop trust, you may find you can reveal very painful things and it will help resolve how you *think* about an issue, even those that cannot be changed.
Good Luck!

REPLY
BHS | @bhs | Nov 26, 2012
In reply to @annheaney "I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload..." + (show)
@annheaney

I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload about problems and to learn how to use the mind in how to deal with mental illness. This works for my disorder- schizo-affective disorder. It helps me think in healthier ways and gives me advice. Rest assured. A pill can only do so much. Mental Health problems sometimes require a professional opinion. Since I am not a mental health professional I cannot tell you whether you should see a therapist. You may want to ask your doctor...It is good that you opened up to this website. Seeing a counselor or therapist is a safe relationship which I am very comfortable with

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Thanks Ann,
I think our prayers have been answered. I did not find another counselor within 75 miles but I found an article on "Focus On The Family" that describes so much of what I am going thru. It is called "Living without Constant Guilt" and you might like to read it. The link is http://www.focusonthefamily.com/lifechallenges/emotional_health/living_without_constant_guilt.aspx Another good article on the same thing is True Or False Guilt at this link http://flobe.hubpages.com/hub/Guilty-True-or-False I have ordered the book mentioned on Focus on the family. Both these and the book I think are real answers to prayers. And how is your week?

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BHS | @bhs | Nov 27, 2012
In reply to @annheaney "I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload..." + (show)
@annheaney

I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload about problems and to learn how to use the mind in how to deal with mental illness. This works for my disorder- schizo-affective disorder. It helps me think in healthier ways and gives me advice. Rest assured. A pill can only do so much. Mental Health problems sometimes require a professional opinion. Since I am not a mental health professional I cannot tell you whether you should see a therapist. You may want to ask your doctor...It is good that you opened up to this website. Seeing a counselor or therapist is a safe relationship which I am very comfortable with

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Thank You!

REPLY
Kate Somerville | @katesomerville | Nov 27, 2012

Spent thousands, been to many. Use caution. They get into counseling for all kinds of wrong reasons, and we end up being willing victims. I have found peer groups and Yoga to be more positive, safe and comfortable.

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9 replies
BHS | @bhs | Nov 27, 2012
In reply to @katesomerville "Spent thousands, been to many. Use caution. They get into counseling for all kinds of wrong..." + (show)
@katesomerville

Spent thousands, been to many. Use caution. They get into counseling for all kinds of wrong reasons, and we end up being willing victims. I have found peer groups and Yoga to be more positive, safe and comfortable.

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Thanks for your input. I have decided with God's & friends help I can learn and there is little that I can not find on the net, nor any answers that aren't in the Bible.
I realize therapy has been a great help to many, but God leads each of us in different direction.

REPLY
Ann Heaney | @annheaney | Nov 30, 2012
In reply to @annheaney "I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload..." + (show)
@annheaney

I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload about problems and to learn how to use the mind in how to deal with mental illness. This works for my disorder- schizo-affective disorder. It helps me think in healthier ways and gives me advice. Rest assured. A pill can only do so much. Mental Health problems sometimes require a professional opinion. Since I am not a mental health professional I cannot tell you whether you should see a therapist. You may want to ask your doctor...It is good that you opened up to this website. Seeing a counselor or therapist is a safe relationship which I am very comfortable with

Jump to this post

Hello BHS,

I am late in replying because my SAD makes me exhausted periodically during the day. In addition to the light box I am taking a high dose of bupropion. it will take a few weeks for it to kick in. My psychiatrist suggested this. I will read the links that you sent. Thank you...God answers prayers in unique ways. Right now I pray that your SAD will not knock you out...

I am looking for a job at a local grocery store as either a bagger of groceries or as a product demonstrator. I have experience in both of these jobs...I met with the head of the store and when they have more business I will be the first one that he will call. He said that my application is on top of his pile. Please pray that I will get a job there for 15 hours per week soon. I need the money to supplement my mental disability money. I will continue to keep you in my prayers..

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BHS | @bhs | Nov 30, 2012
In reply to @annheaney "I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload..." + (show)
@annheaney

I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload about problems and to learn how to use the mind in how to deal with mental illness. This works for my disorder- schizo-affective disorder. It helps me think in healthier ways and gives me advice. Rest assured. A pill can only do so much. Mental Health problems sometimes require a professional opinion. Since I am not a mental health professional I cannot tell you whether you should see a therapist. You may want to ask your doctor...It is good that you opened up to this website. Seeing a counselor or therapist is a safe relationship which I am very comfortable with

Jump to this post

Prayer just went up! I will continue to pray for that and your SAD. I got my light box 2 days ago. And I think its a combination of prayers, light box and the sun shining that has given me a new lease on life the last couple of days. I am tired now but it is from working around home to catch up on all the days SAD took away from me. Send a note when you have time.

REPLY
Ann Heaney | @annheaney | Nov 30, 2012
In reply to @annheaney "I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload..." + (show)
@annheaney

I have both a psychiatrist and a therapist. Counseling or therapy is an opportunity to unload about problems and to learn how to use the mind in how to deal with mental illness. This works for my disorder- schizo-affective disorder. It helps me think in healthier ways and gives me advice. Rest assured. A pill can only do so much. Mental Health problems sometimes require a professional opinion. Since I am not a mental health professional I cannot tell you whether you should see a therapist. You may want to ask your doctor...It is good that you opened up to this website. Seeing a counselor or therapist is a safe relationship which I am very comfortable with

Jump to this post

Hello HanS3, I agree with your posting. I once had a psychiatrist who told me that information given to mental health providers is privileged information. BHS is protected by law and so are the rest of us mental health patients.

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