First time seeing a counselor... HELP!!?!


Question: Well im 16 and recently i was almost sent to a hospital for the weekend because my school counselor thought i was going to kill myself. Well i talked my way out of going. But in a couple of days im going to see a counselor at the hospital that deals with mental problems, which i have many, like panic attacks, severe anxiety, and severe depression. I never really talked to anyone about all of it except my school counselor. If my parents go in the room i KNOW i will not beable to say anything, because i cant say anything around them. I dont know what to say, maybe if my parents dont go in i will beable to talk. But what if i cant say anything. Im not sure whats it going to be like. Does anyone have any good advice???


Answers: Well im 16 and recently i was almost sent to a hospital for the weekend because my school counselor thought i was going to kill myself. Well i talked my way out of going. But in a couple of days im going to see a counselor at the hospital that deals with mental problems, which i have many, like panic attacks, severe anxiety, and severe depression. I never really talked to anyone about all of it except my school counselor. If my parents go in the room i KNOW i will not beable to say anything, because i cant say anything around them. I dont know what to say, maybe if my parents dont go in i will beable to talk. But what if i cant say anything. Im not sure whats it going to be like. Does anyone have any good advice???

First of all, I highly doubt your parents will go into the room with you for the real sessions - though they may be there to set up appointments. Any counsellor will know that they will not get the real you with parents around! If they try, you may just need to look the counsellor in the eye and say 'I can't really talk with other people here', and s/he will ask them to leave. I really doubt you'll need to say this though - most counsellors won't even consider having parents there.

The counsellor will talk to you about the problems you've been having, and ask you some questions about your thoughts and feelings. Nothing too taxing - they are just trying to get to know you! They may ask you why you think you feel a certain way, not in a hostile manner but in a way that gets you thinking about your emotional responses.

Don't expect miracles from counselling - it is a long process that may take several sessions. However, I have been myself and I always felt a great relief when I had spoken with someone about the issues I faced. It is much easier to get mental clarity about them when you hear them aloud, especially if you are the kind of person who analyses themselves a lot and tries to be very self-aware. Hopefully you will feel the burden lightened a little after the first session, but if you don't, stick with it.

Most counsellors are lovely people, who have trained to do their job because they really want to help. They are very experienced, and will have seen literally hundreds of patients suffering with all kinds of issues. So you will be in good hands!

good luck!

If your parents want you to get better, and I'm guessing they do, then they will be OK if you just tell them that you'd rather go in by yourself. And tell the counselor the same thing.

You are the focus of the counseling. Everything has to be done to make you the most comfortable in a stressful situation.

Its not scarry at all i had a lot of the same problems too and i went and talked to my school counselor too and she suggested that I go. Now that I go I feel so much better i mean I was put on medicine in all but still the talking helped so just tell your parrents to stay in the waiting room that you can do it on your own But good luck and dont be nervous.

They most likely will only be in the room long enough for the counselor to get there input on your history... you need to let them both know that you feel more comfortable talking alone with the counselor...

Many times, you can ask the counselor if you can see him alone- at least for a few minutes even if your parents are there. He/she will talk to you by yourself. Sometimes the counselor even suggests it!
The most important thing is to make sure you are 100% honest to him- this way he/she can give you the most help.
I know personally how hard this is, and how it feels! Good luck!

I think you will be seeing the counsellor on your own. If they are a psychologist they will keep what you say to them confidential, with the exception that if you tell them you think of killing yourself, i think they are obligated to let your parents know because you're under age.

When you go see the counsellor, just ask them if what you say is confidential.

You might find you like seeing a counsellor. They'll try to help you with your anxiety and depression. Good luck.





The consumer health information on answer-health.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions.
The answer content post by the user, if contains the copyright content please contact us, we will immediately remove it.
Copyright © 2007-2011 answer-health.com -   Terms of Use -   Contact us

Health Categories