I went into another friend's counseling session today upon her request. I dealt with similar things in the past and had to withdraw/incomplete/drop classes due to depression/inability to concentrate. I still struggle with depression but, not at the same 'clinical' deep level that I did 2 years ago. It was very redeeming to step in on someone elses behalf for issues I dealt with 2 years prior and be their voice when they felt too weak to speak for themselves. It was obvious counselors have a lot of rules about confidentiality and privacy but, if their client is insisting on someone to be there, isn't therapy about what's best for the client, not necessarily what the therapist thinks is best all the time. I know my mom came in 2 years ago in one of my sessions. Maybe this therapist isn't use to that dynamic... who knows? And if you've read my posts for the last 2 years or so, you can accurately assume that my friend is new to counseling in general and wanted me there for support because I have experienced it. The plan was to come to this particular session and that was it. We managed to cover issues involving her need to drop classes, I wrote down a plan for her, handed it to the therapist and had some brief things to say. It made me sad that the therapist seemed to be more disconcerted and upset at my presence. I tried to be as humble and stayed quiet as much as possible, until my friend asked me to step in and help her articulate, what for many days she hasn't been able to. After this, I will no longer be coming to sessions with her- I only came and informed the therapist that I came to HELP with her school issues. That was it- nothing more, nothing less. It was interesting to say the least and I am proud of myself but, it made me sad because I'm use to people pleasing and it was interesting to put my friend's well being over even my own personal comfort level of being liked or accepted. In fact, it would have been easier to stay at home- it's not like I wasn't nervous or upset to a small extent on my friend's behalf, if only that therapist knew how my insides we're squirming with butterflies on the inside! I've never had to do something like that before. I just had to be strong for my friend today and keep my personal concerns abay. Anyone have experience helping others with a therapy session? How did it go? I think the only thing I would have changed was telling my friend to send her therapist an email informing that she wanted me to attend her session that week, so her therapist wouldn't have been caught off guard.

And Really IMPORTANT question--

What if, in the back of your head, you feel a personal experience is not at all that bad- but, your therapist has already formulated a picture of what that experience was like to you and you realize that that therapist is basing a lot of her views and your therapy on that opinion. Do you bring up what you perceive as an error? Or do you keep quiet? I don't necessarily feel like bringing it up. What if, originally you didn't even find it a concern but, you can tell your therapist does- you are tempted to make it the same level of concern but, aren't you just mirroring your therapist at this point... instead of focusing on what you know already about your particular experience, your going along with whatever your therapist thinks. this is a CSA experience. but, ummm i hope my question made sense.