Comments on: Overcoming Fears About Going to Therapy http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/ <<exploring healthy therapy & counseling>> Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:51:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: Liz http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-11553 Liz Sat, 20 Sep 2008 16:59:49 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-11553 You've sparked such an excellent discussion of this issue. The fear of going into therapy is such a huge problem. No matter how someone ultimately decides to proceed, getting over that initial fear of seeking help needs to be conquered before even the first phone call or the first "google" search can be made! Thank you for bringing such a thoughtful discussion out into the open.I'm sure others will benefit from it. You’ve sparked such an excellent discussion of this issue. The fear of going into therapy is such a huge problem. No matter how someone ultimately decides to proceed, getting over that initial fear of seeking help needs to be conquered before even the first phone call or the first “google” search can be made!

Thank you for bringing such a thoughtful discussion out into the open.I’m sure others will benefit from it.

]]> By: Courtney http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-10473 Courtney Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:56:36 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-10473 As someone who experienced abuse as a child by a family member I can remember being terribly frightened to pursue the path of counseling. But am I ever so glad that I did! At first I greatly misunderstood what would happen during counseling and that is what I think scares people most of all- fear of the unknown, of what will happen or come out during those sessions. Once you get past all of that though you learn that counseling can be a very enlightening experience for you and that it can indeed make a dramatic difference in you for the rest of your life. For those of you who are hesitant about going to counseling I say get over those fears and do it. It might just be the best thing you have ever done for yourself! As someone who experienced abuse as a child by a family member I can remember being terribly frightened to pursue the path of counseling. But am I ever so glad that I did! At first I greatly misunderstood what would happen during counseling and that is what I think scares people most of all- fear of the unknown, of what will happen or come out during those sessions. Once you get past all of that though you learn that counseling can be a very enlightening experience for you and that it can indeed make a dramatic difference in you for the rest of your life. For those of you who are hesitant about going to counseling I say get over those fears and do it. It might just be the best thing you have ever done for yourself!

]]> By: Nicole http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-10461 Nicole Tue, 12 Aug 2008 12:42:50 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-10461 I was very anxious about seeing a counsellor - I had to reach a real crisis point in my life before I got there and I have to say it is the best thing that I ever did. I can relate to all these reasons for not going and they have all come into play at some point. I can see how I turned my child hood experiences in on my self and it is such a relief now to feel that I am, in reality, just like everyone else - I would urge anyone who is unhappy with some aspect of their lives or themselves to seek out help - from someone qualified to give it. It is scary - but you owe it to yourself to take care of every aspect of yourself! I was very anxious about seeing a counsellor - I had to reach a real crisis point in my life before I got there and I have to say it is the best thing that I ever did. I can relate to all these reasons for not going and they have all come into play at some point. I can see how I turned my child hood experiences in on my self and it is such a relief now to feel that I am, in reality, just like everyone else - I would urge anyone who is unhappy with some aspect of their lives or themselves to seek out help - from someone qualified to give it. It is scary - but you owe it to yourself to take care of every aspect of yourself!

]]> By: Donna http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-10357 Donna Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:53:11 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-10357 Why are people so afraid of therapy? This I do not get. Why are people so afraid of therapy? This I do not get.

]]> By: Tampa Therapy http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-10217 Tampa Therapy Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:43:42 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-10217 Maggie I agree with you. We are about so much more than what our titles and job descriptions imply. We are there to be a friend and to help people work through their personal issues. This can be threatening to some. However I feel that when you do your job in a caring manner and only want the best for your patienys you wil indeed make a big difference in their lives and they will take what you have given them and be able to walk away stronger and more confident in themselves and their abilities than ever before. Maggie I agree with you. We are about so much more than what our titles and job descriptions imply. We are there to be a friend and to help people work through their personal issues. This can be threatening to some. However I feel that when you do your job in a caring manner and only want the best for your patienys you wil indeed make a big difference in their lives and they will take what you have given them and be able to walk away stronger and more confident in themselves and their abilities than ever before.

]]> By: Maggie Counselor http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-10191 Maggie Counselor Sun, 27 Jul 2008 13:47:10 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-10191 A good counselor will be able to help a patient let go of their fears over time but it is going to take time and trust. It is not something that will come overnight- it will take effort on the part of all involved to make that happen. I have seen patients for many years who still are hesitant about coming to appointments from time to time because they just do not know what they are going to be facing when they get there. That is why it is my job to make them comfortable, to keep them talking, and develop a conversation with them that will not stop just because they get uncomfortable. That is what a good counselor and a good friend does for others. A good counselor will be able to help a patient let go of their fears over time but it is going to take time and trust. It is not something that will come overnight- it will take effort on the part of all involved to make that happen. I have seen patients for many years who still are hesitant about coming to appointments from time to time because they just do not know what they are going to be facing when they get there. That is why it is my job to make them comfortable, to keep them talking, and develop a conversation with them that will not stop just because they get uncomfortable. That is what a good counselor and a good friend does for others.

]]> By: Maddie http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-10107 Maddie Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:55:05 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-10107 But there is never any way to know without trying! Going to a counsleing session for me is almost like lifting a huge weight from my chest. I always feel so relieved afterwards, like I can breathe again. For me it has been a great experience and I would recommend it for anyone experiencing difficulties in their lives. But there is never any way to know without trying! Going to a counsleing session for me is almost like lifting a huge weight from my chest. I always feel so relieved afterwards, like I can breathe again. For me it has been a great experience and I would recommend it for anyone experiencing difficulties in their lives.

]]> By: Ashley http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-10075 Ashley Thu, 24 Jul 2008 23:05:26 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-10075 When people have a bad initial experience with a therapy situation I can see how it would be hard for them to give it a try again though. Maybe that is where much of the hesitation stems from and not just that they are unwilling to try it. Maybe they feel like they tried it before, it did not work and that there is no reason for them to believe that it will help them the second time around. When people have a bad initial experience with a therapy situation I can see how it would be hard for them to give it a try again though. Maybe that is where much of the hesitation stems from and not just that they are unwilling to try it. Maybe they feel like they tried it before, it did not work and that there is no reason for them to believe that it will help them the second time around.

]]> By: Chicago Therapist http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-10047 Chicago Therapist Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:08:31 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-10047 One of the biggest hesitations that I see in people about not wanting to go to therapy is that they are simply scared of showing their true selves. many feel like you are going to jdge them severely for their past behaviors and may just do not understand that it is not the job of a therapist to judge but rather to help them find meaning in their lives and to help them discover a wya to give that back to others. There is to be no shame in seeking counseling or therapy. Rather use it as a learning tool, as a way to give more and to be more. One of the biggest hesitations that I see in people about not wanting to go to therapy is that they are simply scared of showing their true selves. many feel like you are going to jdge them severely for their past behaviors and may just do not understand that it is not the job of a therapist to judge but rather to help them find meaning in their lives and to help them discover a wya to give that back to others. There is to be no shame in seeking counseling or therapy. Rather use it as a learning tool, as a way to give more and to be more.

]]> By: Berkeley Therapist http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-9999 Berkeley Therapist Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:35:44 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-9999 But there are many others out there who have never had a positive experience with opening up and sharing their lives with others and I think that it is in this population that you will see the most reticence about attending a counseling or therapy session. It is imperative that for these people that you explain the process as a part of a journey that they must be willing to take in order to be free of the things in life that may continue to bring them down without some work. You must explain that the process may be arduous but well worth it and so freeing in the end. But there are many others out there who have never had a positive experience with opening up and sharing their lives with others and I think that it is in this population that you will see the most reticence about attending a counseling or therapy session. It is imperative that for these people that you explain the process as a part of a journey that they must be willing to take in order to be free of the things in life that may continue to bring them down without some work. You must explain that the process may be arduous but well worth it and so freeing in the end.

]]> By: upstatesc http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-9967 upstatesc Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:23:41 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-9967 I still do not understand the fear in going to a counselor or therapist. For me like others on this site it has been a wonderful experience. It has not always been easy and I would never profess it to be so, but it has been so helpful for me in so many different aspects of my life that I cannot imagine who or what I would be without it. I still do not understand the fear in going to a counselor or therapist. For me like others on this site it has been a wonderful experience. It has not always been easy and I would never profess it to be so, but it has been so helpful for me in so many different aspects of my life that I cannot imagine who or what I would be without it.

]]> By: Austin http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-9917 Austin Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:31:23 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-9917 Yiu know I have to admit that for a while in my life I too was one of those people who thought that only losers went to therapy and that was osmething that was not for me. However there have been some very strong realizations in my life over the past several months or so that this is not the case. Therapy can be so beneficial for many of us and I highly recommend that if you do have some deep personla issues to work out or if you just need someone to talk to this is the route to take. There have been so many times that I have left my counselor's office feeling emotionally lighter I guees is a good way to describe it. I can unload and know that he is not going to judge me negatively. This was the best thing I have ever done for myself and am just grateful that I have finally gotten there. Yiu know I have to admit that for a while in my life I too was one of those people who thought that only losers went to therapy and that was osmething that was not for me. However there have been some very strong realizations in my life over the past several months or so that this is not the case. Therapy can be so beneficial for many of us and I highly recommend that if you do have some deep personla issues to work out or if you just need someone to talk to this is the route to take. There have been so many times that I have left my counselor’s office feeling emotionally lighter I guees is a good way to describe it. I can unload and know that he is not going to judge me negatively. This was the best thing I have ever done for myself and am just grateful that I have finally gotten there.

]]> By: Sandy http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-9869 Sandy Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:56:07 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-9869 I guess I am one of those people who has always been a little scared of therapy. I think it is a great concept for many but I have so many reservations for myself. I am trying to get there though. I will keep you posted. I guess I am one of those people who has always been a little scared of therapy. I think it is a great concept for many but I have so many reservations for myself. I am trying to get there though. I will keep you posted.

]]> By: Jeanette Counselor http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/2008/06/30/fear-of-therapy/#comment-9831 Jeanette Counselor Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:48:51 +0000 http://www.goodtherapy.org/custom/blog/?p=533#comment-9831 In my experiences in the past I have seen quite a few people who are very resistant to the idea of change and who are concerned that therapy will change their inner soul and who they are. One very important aspect to counseling and any therapy session is to stress to the person that we are not there to change them in any way but are there to help them achieve something they may not have yet been able to attain by themselves. This may be inner peace, resolution of a conflict, or any such issue. We as counselors are simply there to listen to their problems and help them as they take the journey to become whole and healthy again. In my experiences in the past I have seen quite a few people who are very resistant to the idea of change and who are concerned that therapy will change their inner soul and who they are. One very important aspect to counseling and any therapy session is to stress to the person that we are not there to change them in any way but are there to help them achieve something they may not have yet been able to attain by themselves. This may be inner peace, resolution of a conflict, or any such issue. We as counselors are simply there to listen to their problems and help them as they take the journey to become whole and healthy again.

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