1. Community
  2. Mental health
  3. Depression

Does counselling really help?

Posted , 2 users are following.

pen1976
pen1976

Hi,

I hope you can help me with this, I am currently attending private counselling sessions once a week to try and overcome my depression which I have been battling for some years now on my own (that didn't work)

I didn't want to take anti depressants as I worry this will only mask the issue so I chose therapy instead, however it has brought out memories that I would rather forget and I just leave feeling that pain that triggered my depression all over again, I literally feel ill when I come out.

I have only had 11 sessions so far but each one makes me cry and makes me wonder if it is making me worse as I certainly do not feel better, have any of you guys benefitted from counselling?

Thank you so much for any help, I feel very alone (and upset) in this

Pen

0 likes, 4 replies

4 Replies

  • sunset17
    sunset17 pen1976

    Posted

    Hi, I've felt the same way about counselling. I am still waiting to receive counselling with the nhs but I do see a lady from the community mental health team once a month at my doctors and it's kind of like a counselling appointment. She just talks to me about how things are going and asks me loads of questions. I cry every time and come out crying, and have to walk back out through the waiting room crying my eyes out and feeling worse than when I went in. So I'm not very optimistic as to what it's going to be like when my counselling appointments come through.
    • pen1976
      pen1976 sunset17

      Posted

      I have read that the crying is part of the healing process and that once I get through that I can focus on fixing old wounds more clearly... It's taking a long time to work!

      i am sorry you are still waiting for an appointment, I was in the same boat but couldn't wait any longer so I pay to see someone, I am fortunate to have found a really nice person, however I think her kindness is also another reason I cry, it's the old "are you alright" trigger! I always so no

  • sunset17
    sunset17 pen1976

    Posted

    Yeah I've been waiting quite a while now but as I'm not that keen on it anyway I don't really mind, I'm skeptical about me finding it helpful. Oh dear that doesn't sound good sad.
  • Meganpooch
    Meganpooch pen1976

    Posted

    Hi Pen

    For me counselling has been one of the best treatments i use. Not a person to open up to a complete stranger, i found the 1st few sessions upsetting and confusing. Now, i treat my counsellor like a friend who is there when i need her. I've been on AD's for over 5 years and am now weaning myself off them. Last week i had a whole week of downness, for what i thought was no reason. My sister felt the same and there was a reason for it. I've kind of dealt with this myself although i do hanker after another appointment with my private counsellor.

    I'd hang in there if i were you. As Sunset says, crying is a release of emotion. Counselling does go deep into your sub concious mind and i find now that i am relieved, unburden and totally knackered after my sessions.

    Best wishes.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.