What should I expect from a counselor?!
Question: I am in the 8th grade and the school I have been at I have been sad at, and I have depression so I have fallen into thoughts of suicide before. And on top of it I don't really have friends I can talk to, which make sit hard. My school is k-8 so I have been there sense Kindergarden, and it is small it doesn't have very many kids and growing up at that school clicks have formed over the years, and I had never had the courage to make friends. And now it seems like no one is interested in making new friends because they would just rather be with the people they are with now. Any ways my mom called this female counselor at my school and asked her what we should do. They talked for awhile, and my mom said that this counselor wants to talk with me tomorrow at school. What should I expect? Do counselors really care and want to help? What kind of things will she be talking with me about?
Answers: I am in the 8th grade and the school I have been at I have been sad at, and I have depression so I have fallen into thoughts of suicide before. And on top of it I don't really have friends I can talk to, which make sit hard. My school is k-8 so I have been there sense Kindergarden, and it is small it doesn't have very many kids and growing up at that school clicks have formed over the years, and I had never had the courage to make friends. And now it seems like no one is interested in making new friends because they would just rather be with the people they are with now. Any ways my mom called this female counselor at my school and asked her what we should do. They talked for awhile, and my mom said that this counselor wants to talk with me tomorrow at school. What should I expect? Do counselors really care and want to help? What kind of things will she be talking with me about?
Counsolers are trained professionals who are specialized in helping people get through their problems and struggles. But in my own experience, school counsolers can be, well... lacking in the advice that they give- but of course, this is only the few school counsolers I've seen in the past.
Expect her to ask lots of questions about how you have been feeling lately, as well as how you've felt in your past. Many "how does that make you feel" questions will probably be asked, and you will go into details relating to your answers. And yes, any counsoler that is even halfway decent is very caring and want to help very much, if not, they wouldn't have gone to college for 6+ years to learn how to do it!
From what you've said, I really feel that you should find a respected local counsoler out of the school system that you can start meeting with on a regular basis. Going to a counsoler has been overall a great experience for me, I love being able to talk to someone without feeling like my answers and feelings should be a certain way.
By LAW, counsolers can NOT share any information that you've said with anyone, other than if you express are planning on hurting yourself of someone else. The few that do lose their licences to cousoul immediately!
Talking to someone who understands what you're going through and can work with you over time to help improve your confidence and self-esteem, and give you strategies to help make new friends, whether that be at school or at an outside organization. Counsolers can also address problems, like depression, that may benefit to be treated with medication also. In that occasion, they can refer you and your family to a psychiatrist who specializes in mental health. I'm sure everything will go well. Be honsest in your answers- but at the same time- if you are uncomfortable talking about something, let them know how you feel.
I have been though and felt SO many, if not all of the things that you are going through now- and have been to many counsoulers, psychologists, and a psychiatrist. I'd be more than happy to answer any other questions you have, or to just talk, or both! Just let me know and we can talk! Best of luck to you!
I felt the same way you did at your age (in 8th grade). I didn't have a counselor at the time when I needed it most. But when I started to go to counseling I started to feel better. Most counselors (I've seen at least 10) care and want to help. They ask the right questions to get you thinking about why you feel the way you do. For me it was that I was sexually abused by my Dad for 5 years. I couldn't figure out why I had social problems until my counselor helped me see why relationships and interacting was difficult. It still is well into my adult life. But for me high school seemed a little easier. Expect your counselor to be friendly.
The counselor will want to get to know what it's like for you to be you. Most counselors are very kind and easy to talk to. Be honest. Tell her how you feel. She's there to help you.
In my experience, most people who become counselors are people who really like and care for other people.
I love people, and that's why I'm a psychologist.