Hi all,
just a quickie really (makes a change for me!!). I have booked myself some counselling through my local support centre. The first of these ‘sessions’ takes place on thurs morning. I have never had any sort of counselling before so don’t really know what to expect. Can anyone advise me on how best to ‘prepare’ myself and what is likely to happen? Is anyone else undergoing counselling at the mo?
Obviously I know ‘why’ I have arranged it for myself. Largely its because I am starting to struggle with the ‘mental’ side of the treatment itself (I’m having chemo at the mo). I’m just wondering whether its all going to turn out to be really depressing and I’m gonna come out of there totally mentally drained?? I’m having it as I feel unhappy talking about certain things with my loved ones as I don’t want to worry them. As the first session looms though I’m beginning to wonder whthere I’m doing the right thing. I really couldn’t bear it if I came out actually feeling worse than when I went in!
Any replies, as ever, will be very gratefully received,
Many thanks,
Kelly
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Hi Kelly
If your counsellor is good he or she will put you at your ease at the beginning of the session.
Basically counselling gives you a space to talk, or not talk, cry, sit silently, whatever. Counselling can stir strong feelings but I have always found it a real relief to have a ‘safe’ place to talk away from people who know me. One of the great things about counselling is that you don’t have to listen to, or worry about the other person’s problems.
Try it and see…I’ve done loads of counselling and therapy in my life, and after the best sessions I have left feeling energised and strengthened.
best wishes
Jane
hi Kelly,
maybe you remember me as we were dx about same time ad started chemo about same time too. Gosh it seems like ages ago now. we have come so far. Well done for taking the first step and going for counselling. I myself feel hat it would be nicer to talk to soeone else outside of the family as i am having ‘mental’ days. its all part of the process and i sure the councellors know what they are doing. I have booked in for a free massage next tuesday as part of the complmentary therapies, they also offer counselling which i think i may go for too. i understand where you coming from when you say you may come out feeling worse than when you went in. But as they say- ‘it’s good to talk’. let me know how you get on. All the best with the rest of your treatment.
Nadia xx
Hi Kelly,
Hope the counselling helps, and you are feeling better.
I am considering it myself, can’t switch my head off or concentrate on anything.
Please let me us know.
thinking of you
love Rosamund x
Hi ladies,
thank you so much for your responses, much appreciated. You’re absolutely spot on Jane, I think it’ll provide me with a ‘safe’ place in which to talk about how I feel, as opposed to always being cautious as to what I say so as not to upset the people closest to me.
Nadia - I absolutely remember you, how are you doing? I am mid-way through my E-CMF chemo, its due to finish in Oct. Got rads, hormones and Herceptin after that. Hows your treatment going? Great to hear from you! A free massage sounds just the ticket, I have also considered taking advantage of the complementary therapies offered at my local support centre. Seeing as I am a lady of leisure at the mo it’d be an ideal was to fill the days! Do let me know how you get on, I bet it’ll be lovely.
Rosamund - I know exactly what you mean about being unable to ‘switch off’. I shall let you know how it goes tomorrow!
Take care all,
Kelly
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Hi Kelly,
Good luck for Thursday. I hope you leave your appt feeling better and stronger.
I’ll be thinking of you.
Ju x
Hope the counselling goes well for you and will be thinking of you.
Love and take care
Thistle
Hi all,
thank you soooo much for your support. Well, I had my first counselling session this morning and it was great! To be honest I hadn’t realised just how much was going on in my head and how much the whole bc thing had got to me! As we got talking it turns out there are so many other things on my mind that I hadn’t really accounted for. Had lots of tears but lots of smiles too. It was a totally enlightening/empowering/revitalising experience and I certainly found it a great help. I have already booked my next session!!
If anyone is considering counselling then personally I would definately recommend it. I have the most amazing support network at home but find there are things I am not comfortable discussing with my loved ones. The session provided me with an ‘outlet’ as it were. I left the session feeling much happier with things and I certainly wasn’t all depressed like I was afraid I would be.
Anyway, thanks again all,
Take care,
Kelly
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Excellent Kelly,
So pleased it made you feel better.
It’s hard to talk to your loved ones about how you really feel, and harder for them to really grill you about it, so I’m all for counselling which I will certainly be seeking out as my treatment goes on.
Cecelia. x