[Forsaken]

Hello,

I heard about this site through a friend, and from what I can tell it's fantastic. While I haven't been able to read to many of the posts here, it would seem that this is a very accepting community of people. I'm looking for support as I try new things to deal with my depression. My first session with a counsellor is in two days, and I was wondering if people could maybe give me an idea of what it will be like. All I know so far is that it's incredibly expensive, and down the road I may not be able to afford it. Anyways, how long are these sessions, and are they worth paying for? Do people feel that they get something out of it? Prior to this my solutions have been... well, less than effective. I'll write more another time to give you an idea of where I come from. Hopefully someone will have time to answer this.

[sparkling]

Hi and welcome

I'm glad you've found this place. It works great for me. I hope you'll like it as well.

I don't have a therapist, first - because I can't afford it and second - because I don't feel like sharing my problems with anyone IRL. I don't know if it'll work for you but I know most people here have therapists and find them very helpful. I'm sure they'll be able to tell you something more about the course of a session and share their experiences with therapy.

I hope to see you aroud the boards

Hello foresaken, and welcome to PC

you are right, it is fantastic here, and i hope you get the help you deserve and need from the people here.

councelling is a very good wat to combat depression. it is hard work, and there are no rules to say how long you need to be going for, it varies person to person.

stay here at PC, and use this like you would therapy, posting about how you feel and what is making you down, and the support you get should hopefully help you come out of your depression. i sure hope so anyway.

good luck with the councilling. it is a good way to tackle depression, and it does work. you need to be 100% honest and just talk about all aspects of your life that make you unhappy, whether it be your past or present, future even.

i look forward to reading more about you and your background.

take care and speak soon

simon

[(JD)]

The questions you asked about the appt are some that you will ask the Doctor
Session length is usually 50 minutes, but that's up to what your T does. T might shorten the session some, and reduce the fee. Be sure to discuss your concerns upfront with the T.

I think it's mainly a get to know each other a bit, to make sure it's a good fit. What type of problems you want help with and what type of therapy the T gives are two other things to discuss, imo.

Ask about contact between appointments. Does T have a secretary every day during week or not at all? Can you leave voice messages, emails etc as you need to, or not? What would your T like to be called (some prefer first names) and what are you comfortable calling your T?

Please keep in mind that this is someone you are hiring to consult with...just like you had a project or a business that you needed advice about. TC!

helo foresaken and welcome to pc.....i'm sure that you will find comfort here....these folks are great!.......i think that those posting before me gave you good suggestions to take to your first therapy session.......i also wanted you to know that i read your blogs and very much enjoyed your writing.....keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.......we care

[EJ711]

Hi Forsaken,

Welcome to PC!

There are a lot of great and accepting people here!

EJ

I have been in therapy on & off since I was about 20 (I'm now 52) to deal with my depression. About 6 years ago, my diagnosis was changed from depression to bipolar or manic depression. Since then the medications have helped quite a bit. The anti-depressants weren't helping much.

I quit therapy when I started feeling so well & have just returned a few months ago due to my having a relapse into a terrible depression where I overdosed.

Usually the therapy session lasts 50 min. My therapist charges $95.00/hour, but my insurance pays about 2/3 of that.

At the first session, the therapist will ask you about your background, including family members who may have had a mental illness, when you started having problems, what methods you have tried to overcome your depression (are you taking meds?), why you sought help now & what you hope to achieve through therapy.

He/she should answer any questions you have about the type of therapy he/she practices & what to expect in the therapy sessions. The other posters also had some good ideas about what to expect & questions you should ask.

Also, if you don't "click" with one therapist, do try another one (or several in my case). I had one who wanted me to play with dolls (I guess to regress to my childhood), but I really didn't think that would help me. Another thought I had PTSD, which even though I had a horrible childhood with a mentally ill mother (also an alcoholic) & an alcoholic father, I didn't think I had that condition so I discontinued seeing her.

I also only wanted to see a female therapist, due to some fears & issues I have with men.

Welcome to PC & let us know how your appt. went.--Suzy