posted
I know this is outside of your scope, but I need some help. I have a few problems that I need help working through and a potential anxiety problem and I've decided it would benefit me to go see a therapist at my university. However, for some reason, I'm afraid to do so. Each day I just keep suffering through because I can't bring myself to pick up the phone and make an appointment. I know if I want to feel better I need to do this, but I don't know how. Can anyone help?
Posts: 238 | Registered: Jul 2011
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Can you identify what it is you're afraid of? What do you fear could or might happen if you start getting help from a therapist with your anxiety?
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63244 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
Just the thought of being one-on-one with a stranger and opening up to them about my problems feels so daunting...I mean, I know I'm pretty much doing that here, but it's different being through a computer.I haven't really told anyone close to me about them either, so I guess too I'm kind of ashamed or embarrassed about having these problems.
Posts: 238 | Registered: Jul 2011
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posted
Do you feel like you understand the usual process of therapy?
That, for instance, by the time you'd be disclosing things that felt very private to you, where you felt very vulnerable, a therapist wouldn't be a stranger anymore, but someone you have grown to know and built trust with?
Are you also aware that to a therapist, anxiety problems aren't anything they attach shame to? In other words, anxiety issues to a therapists are the equivalent of a bum knee to an orthopedic physician. Something is wrong that is impacting your health and quality of life, and they're there to see if they can't help you fix or manage it.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63244 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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posted
The first appointment is usually a very basic intake session, where the therapist talks to you about how they tend to work and what kinds of therapy they offer, and you share with them the basics of what you feel you need help with and want to work on.
I'd suggest thinking of a first appointment as a job interview on their part, where you're doing the interviewing to see if you'll hire them.
-------------------- Heather Corinna, Executive Director & Founder, Scarleteen About Me • Get our book! Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead Posts: 63244 | From: An island near Seattle | Registered: May 2000
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