To Go Or Not To Go To A Psychologist

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

Many clients, coming to the first session, talk about how difficult it was for them to come to a psychologist. Difficult could mean scary, or ashamed, or "yes, I can handle it myself."

I understand people very well at the moment, because I remember how I felt myself when I was deciding whether to seek help from a psychologist.

I'll tell you my story and my experience of the first visit to a psychologist.

About 5 years ago, I was in a difficult situation for me - I was in love, the relationship with a person did not work out and I was as confused as possible - what to do, where to go, what was happening in general. I remember myself then as a complete “loss”.

When all the available means were tried (communication with friends, bungee jumping, quarrels and conflicts, endless showdowns, tears), I realized that it was time to try something alternative. It seemed like this alternative to seek help from a specialist, and I began to look for a person with whom I would like to share my problem.

Was I scared and ashamed to go to the first meeting? Yes! I was not scared to go, I remember the first telephone conversation where I tried, how I could explain what I needed and how scared I was. And all this even despite the fact that the specialist I turned to was familiar to me (I once had a counselor in the camp) and I trusted her enough.

What I was afraid of:

• Condemnation. Hear on your story: “Oooo, you give this, how it was possible, in general, to get there” or “this is wrong, you cannot do that”.
• Rejection: "well, no, with such a person and with such a situation I will not work, come on, handle yourself",
• Compulsion to some actions that are not suitable for me: “so, this is how you need to do this and that”, “get up and go”, “I know better”,
• The uselessness of therapy, that "nothing will help me".

Remembering that state of mine, I realize how important, especially at the first stage, it was to be understood and accepted with all my tears, snot and experiences.

As a result, despite my set of fears, I went into battle, because I felt too bad, and I realized that I was such a dead end that I just needed help.

I think it was very important for the success of our work then that these fears and concerns of mine were the topic of our conversations with the psychologist, especially the first ones. This allowed me to open up and start trusting the person enough to start sharing my difficulties. As a result, I received both acceptance and support, a trusting atmosphere in which I can talk about everything, and professional help in a matter of concern to me!

Now I remember that moment of my life as a turning point, because it was then that my love for psychology was revived, and, as it turned out, my career as a psychotherapist began. But that's another story.

Yes, this is my personal experience, and I share it in support of those who face fears of going to a psychologist and do not know how to deal with them. Come, talk about them, discuss your difficulties, if all other ways have already been tried!

I will be glad to answer questions on the topic of the post, if any)