Confused about recent appointment with psychologist

[LilyR]

I had an appointment with my psychologist a few days ago and I left the appointment feeling confused. During the appointment I brought up that two weeks ago I had attempted suicide. I was really uncomfortable bringing it up as it’s not a very nice thing to talk about especially since I’m not the best at opening up/being vulnerable with people. However, I ‘plucked up the courage’ and told her. I don’t really know what I expected from it - some support I guess but her reaction made me very confused. She didn’t really respond much at all. She didn’t ask me any questions. She didn’t seem like she cared very much or was concerned. I’m not sure … maybe she didn’t want me to feel even more uncomfortable by discussing it in depth. I’m very confused by her lack of response. Is this what psychologists normally do in relation to this topic? I just thought she’d talk with me about it, ask some questions and see if I was still feeling suicidal/having intrusive thoughts. I don’t know … it made me feel pretty shit. Usually she’s amazing so I feel as if I’ve done something wrong. Maybe she got the gist from mu body language that I was really uncomfortable talking about it so she didn’t want to push it further. Anyway … I’m just after some advice on it. Thanks. 

[Concerned_58]

I hope you get the help you need. I have just joined forum so don't know what to say except to discuss with psychologist next visit. I go to psychologist with a list of things to address. If we didn't get to something important (I am great at tangents and going off topics) I ask psychologist to note it and bring up in next session. Hope that is useful. 

[Jan]

Hello

I can imagine how upsetting that would be for you.  My psychologist goes into a alot of effort checking if Iam safe, and I can only guess would be very kind and ask questions if I did attempt to hurt myself.  Depending on what others on here say it might be worthwhile considering a new therapist.

I hope you find a resolution.

Jan 

[Optical1]

I would expect my psychologist to ask me some questions...so I would find it hard if they didn't. Do you see her again soon?

Are you able to tell her you were confused by her response?

[Eagle Ray]

Hi LilyR,

I'm not sure if you are still coming back to this thread, but I'm wondering how you went and whether you were able to express how you felt to your psychologist? It was obviously very vulnerable to share the attempt with the psychologist and understandable that you felt like maybe you had done something wrong when you didn't get much response. Sometimes if something is hard to talk about, another option is to write it down and share it that way or send an email if your psychologist is open to receiving emails. If you wanted to communicate how you feel with her that could be one way of doing that. It's hard to know why your psych responded the way she did, but sometimes if you can communicate the effect on you there can be a chance for rupture and repair - in other words the resolution of something that was uncomfortable for you in the therapeutic process. This can potentially lead to a strengthening of the therapeutic alliance if the psychologist is open to working on it with you, and a good one will do that. If things are not feeling right over time, there is the option of looking for another therapist. How are you now? I hope things settled both within yourself and within the experience of therapy.

Kind regards,

ER