I am so scared!!!

[Gatorgal]

First I want to Thank God for this wonderful forum. It has helped me so much! I do have a question today. My doctors seem to think I need to go to a theropist. That word even scares me!
I am just wondering how to go about looking for a Christian teropist and some idea of what it is like to go and talk to them. I just can't imagine doing this. Has it helped anyone. I would really like to hear from you. How do you start a conversation with them?
I know I will get some good advice so I want to go ahead and thank you know. You are all such a blessing to me.

 

[spoiltbrat2003]

Hey,
I am not sure about Christian thereapists and whether it will make any difference,

The focus is pretty much on you and having a person outside of the situation you are in listen to how you are feeling whats going on in your life,
So really its an unattatched listener,
Sometimes they will ask you to make goals for yourself, ask you what you would like to change about your situation

Everyone feels awful but they are very sensitive people

My first words were

Hello, I am a little nervous,
He said thats to be expected and started asking me questions,

When you feel uncomfortable then You can just say and stop it, but no pain no gain it can be sometimes painful to talk about things that have been kept inside for so long, But sometims just telling someone else makes you feel better. To have someone to listen to you without judging you.

 

[wiggsfly]

Therapists can be a great help, and Christian therapists can very in their quality as much as anyone else. One thing I've learned about fearing a therapist though is that if you can talk about things here anonymously you probably won't have any problems with a therapist.

 

[.chrys.]

I have to agree that it's a bit scary to go to a therapist the first time. The good thing about not knowing what to say is that the therapist will guide you in conversation. You don't have to think about initializing the subject. He/she will naturally lead the session.

Questions to expect will be something along the lines of:

How are you feeling today? What is it that brings you in here? Why do you think your doctor thought it would be good to speak with me?

As for finding a therapist you'll like, have you thought about asking your doctor for recommendations? Usually they have some great suggestions to get you started. Another option might be to ask your minister/pastor/priest for a recommendation.

I wish you the best in your search for a therapist. Keep in mind that your first choice might turn out to be a poor "match" for you. Keep looking if that happens to be the case.

Blessings today,
~Witness

 

[Gatorgal]

Thank you all for such great info. I knew I could count on my CF friends!

 

[Mrs. Luther073082]

I have been seeing a therapist since 2005. I only see her every couple of months now. The first time I went to see her, I gave her a written list of goals, explained that I wanted help and direction in regards to achieving those goals, and explained that I did not want to sit around and analyze my past or concentrate on negative things -- I wanted guidance in taking steps to getting better. When I first started going to see her, I had barely been leaving my home, wasn't driving, wasn't in school, and wouldn't even make the phone call to make my own appointments. Now, I am graduating from community college next month and transferring to a university, I've gotten in the Honor's society and been on the President's list at my school for several semesters, I drive, work out regularly, make my own phone calls, have a job, go to church, volunteer regularly, etc. A good therapist can help you out a LOT.

Also, I am currently majoring in psychology, so I hope to help others one day like my therapist helped me!

Below is a whole bunch of reading material. There are different types of therapy, so it might behoove you to do some research and find out what you (or your doctor) think would be best for your situation.

http://counsellingresource.com/types/index.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counseling

I don't think you need to worry about how to start a conversation. A therapist will typically be asking you a lot of questions, especially on the first few visits.

 

[rushingwind62]

There is nothing to be afraid. Therapists are pepole too and are basically like a best friend. You tell them everything there is to know about yourself. All they really do is help you to look at your options on how to deal with things. Just because you go to see one doesn't mean you are crazy, so if that is what scares you, put that fear behind you. I do suggest you be completey honest with them if you want to get full benefit from the therapy. Remember there is nothing they have never heard before or that they can't look up and research.

As for finding a christian therapist look under counselling in the yellow pages. Some advertise they are christian. Most therapist have to follow state guidelines and there are many christian counselors out there who don't advertise they are christian. I would just call them up and ask if they don't advertise it.

 

[Gatorgal]

Thanks again for all the help. I will not lie, I am still scared but I know I will make it.

 

[RayTX]

Gatorgal, I studied counseling while in seminary, and one thing we differentiated, was the difference between a Christian Counselor and a counselor who is Christian. Some Christian Counselors will beat you over the head with Scripture and guilt, while a counselor who is Christian will give you freedom and grace to explore your situation and lead you to health.