Feeling worse after visit with a counselor?

manchala
Community Member

I just saw a counselor for the first time, and in all honesty, I hated it. I guess I expected to leave there in a better mood but I think I felt worse walking out than I felt walking in. I was wondering if it's common for people to feel this way at the start?

I've never opened up to anyone before- not my friends, family or a professional. So I felt very vulnerable and embarrassed, and I cried throughout the session. Every question he asked me felt invasive and was hard for me to answer. I know he's doing his job and that everything paints a bigger picture, but it was just a little intimidating for me. He drew on so many different aspects of my life which has now got me overthinking everything I've ever done in the past- I've given myself a headache and I haven't stopped crying since. I was very in the midst of my emotions so I could barely get anything out of my mouth. I'm worried that maybe he doesn't understand the extent of what I feel because I can't put my emotions into words well. At times I got frustrated at him for not understanding what I was trying to tell him. Whenever he smiled at me I got worried that he was laughing at something I said and I took it as a condescending thing.

I have another session scheduled in a few days and I'm dreading it. I'm regretting going in the first place, I feel like I've 'exploited' myself, if that makes sense. Did anyone else feel the same way when they first started seeing a professional?

22 Replies 22

SPOONO
Blue Voices Member
Hi, I'm so sorry your experience was so bad but I can relate exactly with you. I had to visit an independent medical examiner for Worksafe and he was trying to establish for them whether or not I had depression and I felt very distressed as I walked out of his office. I did complain to worksafe and the problem was resolved. My other experience with the people trying to help me have been wonderful my psychologist in particular seems to have a magic way of making me feel happy, simply by listening and being very empathic to my story. I would strongly suggest you look for another psychologist. My brother is a social worker and he has blocked me from even communicating with him, this tells me there are good and bad in the field for sure. Go find a good psychologist. Shop around it's your money find someone helpful is my suggestion

SPOONO
Blue Voices Member

Hi Manchala,

I'm getting further into your thread and it's great to hear you're going to give him another go. If he is well trained he will respond positively for you I'm sure. And again, if he's not you don't have to listen to him, find someone else.

Cheers

spoono

SPOONO
Blue Voices Member

Hi pipsy,

That's a great idea, I was lucky and got a great psychologist from the start. Maybe it's cos my other half called him a "rent a friend" to his face and he realised he had to be good, hehe.

Regards

spoono