Wondering if I should see a therapist

Hello! I'm new to this website, and this is my first post. I hope I'm putting this in the right place!


I currently have a whole bunch of problems, and I’m thinking about and wondering if I should see a councilor. I’ve gone through the whole ‘try to diagnose myself online’ thing, but I don’t feel like I fit in to a slot. So, I decided to do this step by step. Over time I put together a list of problems I have to make it easier if I talk to someone.

I have ambition and self-image issues and a lack of motivation. I have guilt problems. I sometimes get overly emotional and sometimes have trouble feeling emotions. I don’t deal well with change. I have a huge phobia of kisses/mouths. I have trouble with relationships and relating to people.

I also have a bit of a paranoia issue, which makes it difficult to go to counseling. Another thing that makes it difficult is that the problems come and go. When I’m having problems, I’m focusing more on holding everything together and can’t get the motivation to go. When I don’t have the problems I’m perfectly fine and I also can’t get the motivation to go because there isn’t a current need, and I’m scared.

So, it's pretty much a giant mash-up of problems.


Right now, I’m a college student, so I have access to free counseling. This is part of the reason I think I should go now. If I wait until I am about to break down, it will cost money that I might not have. It has taken me so long to even post this because I’m nervous.

Thank you for your time.

Hi Once Upon a Dream.

Welcome to PC. I think if you are wondering if you should see a counselor than its probably a good idea. I have never seen a counselor in a college setting but when I think of it in a pros vs cons thing... there doesn't seem to be a very long list for the cons...

Maybe someone who has used college counseling will respond with their experiences...

I second the idea that if you are wondering about starting therapy then it is probably a good idea.

One thing you will want to figure out about your college counseling center is their approach to therapy. I briefly went to mine for my 1st therapy experience because a recent difficult situation made my long-standing anxiety and depression unbearable. Unfortunately, our counseling center focused on short-term counseling with regard to a specific issue. I made a little progress on the most recent issue, so the T decided we were done after 11 sessions. And she remarked several times during our last session that we had had SO MANY sessions! After about 10 additional years of therapy 11 sessions doesn't really seem like much!

So, I'd check them out. Figure out if there is a limit on sessions or a general push for short term treatment (which might be okay with you IDK). My sense is the short term stuff tends to be best when you have a specific goal, though.

Best,
EJ

Hi, OnceUponADream, welcome to PsychCentral (PC). I started counselling when I was in college (20, a junior) and couldn't judge at this time (I'm 62 now, we're talking 1970 :-) if it was helpful or a distraction to me. I felt it was necessary though and it did familiarize me with therapy and a little with myself so later I could work better with therapists. I don't think college counselling will solve all your problems or make you that much better since, as you say, you have a "mish mash" of problems and feel you are unable to work on them yourself at this time. But, I don't think it would be a bad idea to give counselling a try, see what it is like and what it might be able to do for you over time, etc.?