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Counseling anyone?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 7/19/2011 5:56 PM (GMT -7)
Thought it was time for me to have some counseling regarding the U.C.  Just had a really bad experience with the therapist. 

For those of you who have seen a counselor, how did you determine he/she was the right choice to continue treatment? 

Posted 7/19/2011 6:08 PM (GMT -7)
Counseling is sort of like law enforcement. Many crooks are attracted to law enforcement. Likewise, many people who have mental issues are attracted to studying the mind.

If your therapist is hurting and not helping you, then you should see someone else.

Post Edited (subdued) : 7/19/2011 7:13:23 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/19/2011 7:20 PM (GMT -7)
It takes time to find the right therapist. You find one that you feel comfortable with, and that you feel can actually help you. You want to feel friendly towards them. It took me two different ones before I found the right one, and she was able to help me deal with a lot of it. I will actually probably go back soon, because I'm finding myself slipping back into the "woe is me" attitude.
Posted 7/19/2011 7:53 PM (GMT -7)
Sometimes the first one isn't a good fit. The first time I went to counseling I met a guy who talked about how I was going to pay... for a good half of the session. Then I was supposed to call him, and he had screaming kids in the background. Not a good situation when depressed bigtime.

I then found a lady that was inspiring and very empathetic. We worked things out pretty well together.

This was years ago... before I knew that prednisone makes me halfways nuts. But, I can see how this disease can lead a person to counseling... definitely. Give things some time.
Posted 7/20/2011 12:51 AM (GMT -7)
Curious what your bad experience was....in the general sense.

Sometimes different approaches can cause distress once one opens up, etc.

My UC wasn't the drive for seeking a therapist, my extremely dysfunctional family issues did.

q
Posted 7/20/2011 5:52 PM (GMT -7)
Quincy - She really didn't understand IBD, which I wasn't expecting her to. However, she started suggesting I had more of a mental disorder and that's why I was sick... She also kept saying the diseases were the "food related" illnesses. She wasn't a very good listener.

I'm going to try and find a new therapist in the next few weeks. I didn't realize that I would have to have an "interview process" for them.
Posted 7/20/2011 8:37 PM (GMT -7)
BeachGirl - I'm learning that every profession has "good" and "bad" especially when it comes to those who help people. And then there's people who are GOOD, but maybe not GOOD for you, there's a difference. You'll want someone you resonate with. Perhaps your local CCFA office can recommend someone others have responded well to?

good luck, sometimes I've found a friend or a lover is the best therapist(listener)
Posted 7/20/2011 8:56 PM (GMT -7)
Unfortunately it takes time to find the right one.  I can usually tell if I am going to like them from the 1st phone call (not that I see a lot of therapists! I've just had to find many new ones over the years!)

Psychologytoday.com is a good website.  I would suggest searching for someone knowledgeable of chronic pain.

Good luck smilewinkgrin

Posted 7/20/2011 10:33 PM (GMT -7)
I dropped the clinical social worker who said you're in your 50s, you're old, you get sick, deal with it. Basically, grow up.
Posted 7/20/2011 11:25 PM (GMT -7)
I second the psychology today website. Many listed on that site will give a free consultation. Some in person and some on the phone. I've used the free consult to interview potential therapists. Even talking on the phone can give you a feel if that person might be a good match. Good luck, it's not always easy to find the person.
Posted 7/20/2011 11:34 PM (GMT -7)
BeachGirl...yes, she sounds pretty lame. Hope you find another one soon.

q
Posted 7/21/2011 6:22 AM (GMT -7)
BeachGirl,

When I first got sick I was soooo out of my mind anxious about the weight loss, pain, altered life, etc. I went to a counselor and at the second visit I started talking about using EFT and how it helped a little. She was so intrigued about it that she took down her shingle, went to the next large city to study about it and open a totally different practice using EFT. I never saw her again. Gee...I'm glad I could help her :)

Next I went to a hypnotherapist. I expressed my fears to her, and she took me through a guided meditation specifically tailored to my fears. It was about 45 mins. long and she was taping it. She gave me the tape when I left and I used it every night before I went to sleep. It was all about positive affirmations and her voice was so soothing. Best tape I ever had...and the best $30 I ever spent.
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