Hello.. I know this page has alot of members.. So anyone experienced as a counsellors or therapist?
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
I guess that means no.
Are you looking to seek counselling?
I have been thinking about it too since a long time but didn't have the courage to do so. But now I have made my first appointment with a counsellor.
To the guppies who have been to a counsellor/therapist, please share your experiences as to how it helped you and how many sessions did you take?
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Yes I've been thinking about going to one recently I had a breakdown.. I did some research and it turns out I don't know how to handle some emotional situations.. So I react in a wrong way.
In Pakistan I don't know how to tell someone I need therapy..and who to go to as well. I'd also like to know you they've benefited and how it has helped them.
I can't communicate to my family.. I have told my husband that I want to and he thinks it's a good decision as long as it brings in improvement.
Nad e ali where are you located?
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Seems similar to what I'm going through. My emotions are all over the place. I'm losing my temper over little things and I feel like crying for no reason. I have my first appointment tomorrow so I will let you know how it goes. I live in Canada and I have counselling available at my university campus. I have not discussed about going to counselling with my husband or anyone else from family/ friends. It's good that your ur husband is supporting you. You should definitely seek for help.
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
@newbee13 Things which are not in control are not worth to invest time to think about them. I hope you will get good counselor, but for the time being ignore those things. Think that you can not change situation, but try to find positives in worst situation. Count those factors which you think are positive will help you. Best of luck!
Can you ask your regular physician for recommendations?
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Maybe look into women's groups or if these counsellors work out of hospitals or doctors offices. Hopefully somebody can refer you to someone. My cousin is in Canada but spent some time doing womens therapy work in Karachi, if I speak to her, will try and get some info from her next time I see her to post here. She might know a good place to start. :)
best wishes.
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
I've sought therapy a couple times in life. Sometimes it helped and other times it didn't due to different factors including everything from my level of commitment and faith in the process up to the calibre of the analyst.
It's definitely worth a try if you feel it might help.
@newbee13 Things which are not in control are not worth to invest time to think about them. I hope you will get good counselor, but for the time being ignore those things. Think that you can not change situation, but try to find positives in worst situation. Count those factors which you think are positive will help you. Best of luck!
I disagree with the bolded part.
Sometimes you have to think about things that you have no control over because without thinking about them you can't accept that you don't have control and you can't set them aside.
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Since this topic is here, I am just curious what therapy is all about? Like you talk to the therapist & thats about it?
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
So i had my first appointment, it was about 45 mins long. The therapist ask me a few question and made notes though out the session. I did most of the talking, addressed the things that have been bothering me, and she just listened. She suggested that I should get my husband to see a therapist too or get couple counselling if possible.
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Since this topic is here, I am just curious what therapy is all about? Like you talk to the therapist & thats about it?
You talk and they give advice.. They might also ask you more questions to decide what needs to be done..
If it's more serious you can be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist (the latter can prescribe meds if needed)..
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
You talk and they give advice.. They might also ask you more questions to decide what needs to be done..
If it's more serious you can be referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist (the latter can prescribe meds if needed)..
Anyone can give advice & how a stranger can solve my problems? They dont live with us, they are not part of our life, how can they know what we go through on daily basis? What if one can't explain himself/herself to the therapist? Not everything is explainable some things are to be felt. And what different a psychologist or a psychiatrist does? I assume they just talk & thats about it, its just the latter one can prescribe medicines.
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
^ it's what they go to school for and just like physicians have their special fields for example family counseling, marriage counseling, abuse counseling and etc. it's a process and once you start seeing somebody they get to know you as you open up to them about what your life is/has been like and everything in between. It usually revolves around how much your looking to accomplish from therapy. And no not anyone can give advice. psychiatrists go through med school, psychologists have doctorates with a special focus. Education for both revolves around mental health and more depends on their specialties.
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
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Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Mental health workers are trained to communicate and listen effectively. They are also trained to pick up in non-verbal clues. Plus, you have to remember that MANY people who see therapists can actually have issues like depression, OCD, bipolar etc. so the workers are also there to make sure the disease is under control.
For the most part, therapists will go by what you tell them. Psychologists are also trained to conduct psychological testing which can also reveal things. Of course, for people who to couples counseling or family conselling, the therapist is hearing about multiple people. To be honest, I think it’s a good thing that they therapist is not a part of your life. That means they have a neutral 3rd party perspective. They will guide you into coming up with a solution that is healthy for you. They’re not going to emotionally guilt you into making decisions b/c it’s the family “tradition”, b/c your mom/phuppo/khala/loog etc. will talk, or b/c of their own cultural/religious beliefs. A good therapist is trained to be neutral and now allow their personal feelings/beliefs effect the clients outcome.
If you can’t explain your feelings to a therapist, then you probably have problems explaining yourself to your parents/spouse/co-workers etc. Most people do not know how to effectively communicate their thoughts and feelings. So if you’re unable to explain your thoughts/feelings, then the first thing you would need to work on is learning WHY you can’t explain yourself and how to overcome that.
Counsellors in the U.S. generally have a masters or some other counseling degrees. A psychologist has a PhD. is psychology and is also trained to conduct psychological testing. Psychiatrist is a M.D. who can prescribe medications. Most psychiatrists do not do psychotherapy (of course there are exceptions).
For anyone who wants to learn more, Psych Central - Trusted mental health, depression, bipolar, ADHD & psychology information. is a great site with TONS of info/articles. They also have a forum section which can be very informative.
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Unfortunately the trained counselors and psychiatrists charge a crazy amount of money for us human beings that are flawed and not strong enough to handle our problems on our own in the very real world and they are human so will judge as much as they are trained not to.
Helplines might be something you can try.
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Sadly there are no help lines in Pakistan.
I'm trying to not think of all the depressing things out but I'm scared someday I'll burst again.
I believe this comes when you're constantly compromising. But we should be grateful about things... So I pray and hope :)
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Yes I've been thinking about going to one recently I had a breakdown.. I did some research and it turns out I don't know how to handle some emotional situations.. So I react in a wrong way. In Pakistan I don't know how to tell someone I need therapy..and who to go to as well.
What about your doctor? I assume you have a gyno who you go to for check-ups. Why don't you talk to your doctor and ask her to give you names of psychiatrists or psychologists she knows?
Re: Any counsellor/therapist here?
Nope I don't. I go to one occasionally if I have an issue but she's a friend's mother. Not a comfortable place to discuss.