[difence]

I starting counseling along with Celexa which has really been working well for me, the counseling, not so much. I'm new to counseling and want to know, is the counselor supposed to talk about himself for almost half the session?? Since I'm the one who's nuts, isn't the counselor supposed to be concentrating on me?? Any input would be helpful.

Thanks!

[shezbut]

Hello difence,

I definitely think that the majority of the session ought to be spent focusing on you, the Patient! I have had former therapists (T's) that also spent at least half of the session talking about their personal lives as well. Something tells me that isn't as uncommon as it should be though!

Are there other T's available in your "network"? Perhaps you should try calling other options before making another appointment with this last T again? Of course, you could theoretically bring this subject up in T & see what the T says. That would be interesting, but I know I wouldn't have the guts to do it!

Sorry but your post made me laugh I know it wasn't meant to but you are not nuts although your therapist probably is!
He is not supposed to do much talking, only offer some insight, suggestions, validate your feelings.
It was your first session so probably he would have been going over contracts and how he works and stuff. I would give him another session because you can't really tell after the first fe. I have been seeing my counsellor for a year now and I still can't get a word in.

[Mapleton]

Originally Posted by difence

I starting counseling along with Celexa which has really been working well for me, the counseling, not so much. I'm new to counseling and want to know, is the counselor supposed to talk about himself for almost half the session?? Since I'm the one who's nuts, isn't the counselor supposed to be concentrating on me?? Any input would be helpful.

Thanks!

Nope, since you're the one paying for counseling, it really should be focused on you.

Now, is it possible that his talking about himself has some therapeutic value in giving you lessons through his experience? Its possible but if I had to guess I'd say that its just his (A) trying to develop a rapport, in the hope of getting to "you centered" therapy later, or (B) his being inappropriate.

[Victoria'smom]

I know a bunch of therapists try to give you info. on them to help build a relationship at first. If you can try 4-6 appointments to make a decision.

[archipelago]

I once saw a therapist who in the first session, after my talking, turned around everything by asking how I felt about her and how much what I was saying was related to seeing her. She was trying to push transference at the first meeting!

Needless to say, I didn't go back.

If you feel your therapist might just be inept, go see someone else. It's not worth the investment of time, money, and emotional output to waste it on someone who you wonder about.

[wotchermuggle]

You're right. The session should be focussed on you. That said, sometimes the first couple of sessions, you need to give a little leeway, but if it continues, yeah, definitely say something or move on!

[Perna]

I'm in Harford County, "next door"

No, the counselor should be listening to you, not himself. I'd look for another counselor.

http://therapists.psychologytoday.co...Baltimore.html

[krisakira]

Originally Posted by Perna

I'm in Harford County, "next door"

No, the counselor should be listening to you, not himself. I'd look for another counselor.

http://therapists.psychologytoday.co...Baltimore.html

I used to live in Harford County! In Aberdeen, where my dad was stationed in Aberdeen Proving Grounds

[Perna]

Yup, I'm down by Edgewood :-)

Now, most of the therapist that I have seen, have pretty much given me their cv. I'm very leery of any mental health professional, so I think they do it to me at ease. I'm the kind of patient that wants to know qualifications, and that they can handle me. I need to make sure that they have the right attitude, as I need a T that can get in my face and tell me when I'm screwing up.

[WikidPissah]

Um...that's not cool at all. An egotistical T is probably not the best match. (I've kissed a few toads myself, I'm an expert)