Decided to get counseling

[RestingGirl23]

After thinking about it for a while, I decided to get counseling after so many days of being irritated and feeling suicidal. I feel that if I'm feeling crappy I may as well see if someone professional can help me. I looked up my college's mental health center and decided to go today to see if I could speak to someone. I go in and they make me do a questionnaire and then I'm told to wait. Not long after they tell me they have an appointment available in one month. I honestly feel pretty down to hear this because I was reading their pamphlet that their services are only available if you are paying college tuition which means I'll get one appointment and then I won't be able to go since I'm graduating this semester.

I feel that they should of put a sign that the first time you go, you are only going to make an appointment. I understand that they're other people who need help and they only let walk-ins if you are having a crisis but I was hoping to get help as quickly as possible.

I'm honestly thinking of canceling the appointment. I feel that there is no point if I am only going to get one 1-hour session.

 

[lavenderlungs]

that does sound frustrating, especially after you've taken the leap to get some support. college & university counselling/wellbeing services are usually stretched pretty thin - the ratio of counsellors to students, all i can say is yikes.

still, the appointment could be beneficial, even if it's only an hour session. think of it as a support session - you don't necessarily have to build up a therapeutic relationship, maybe just outline your immediate struggles (1 or 2) and get some coping strategies, even a referral from them to alternate mental health resources in your area once you graduate?

 

[k75]

I think one appointment could still be beneficial. You will get a taste of it to see if it's going to be helpful. They can also maybe help refer you to someone more permanent. Hell, maybe there's a way to keep going. I'd keep the appointment, unless you find something better first.

 

[RestingGirl23]

I think one appointment could still be beneficial. You will get a taste of it to see if it's going to be helpful. They can also maybe help refer you to someone more permanent. Hell, maybe there's a way to keep going. I'd keep the appointment, unless you find something better first.

The thing is that I don't have insurance of any kind. ( I live in the grand country of USA) so even if I get a referral somewhere else I won't be able to afford it. That's why I tried my college's resources since the services are already "paid for" with my college's tuition.

 

[k75]

The thing is that I don't have insurance of any kind. ( I live in the grand country of USA) so even if I get a referral somewhere else I won't be able to afford it. That's why I tried my college's resources since the services are already "paid for" with my college's tuition.

That's another thing you can bring up at that session. There are resources out there, and maybe they have someone who can help you navigate. I'm also in the US. :)

 

[azucaramargo]

After thinking about it for a while, I decided to get counseling after so many days of being irritated and feeling suicidal. I feel that if I'm feeling crappy I may as well see if someone professional can help me. I looked up my college's mental health center and decided to go today to see if I could speak to someone. I go in and they make me do a questionnaire and then I'm told to wait. Not long after they tell me they have an appointment available in one month. I honestly feel pretty down to hear this because I was reading their pamphlet that their services are only available if you are paying college tuition which means I'll get one appointment and then I won't be able to go since I'm graduating this semester.

I feel that they should of put a sign that the first time you go, you are only going to make an appointment. I understand that they're other people who need help and they only let walk-ins if you are having a crisis but I was hoping to get help as quickly as possible.

I'm honestly thinking of canceling the appointment. I feel that there is no point if I am only going to get one 1-hour session.

Please go.

 

[Sweet emotion]

After thinking about it for a while, I decided to get counseling after so many days of being irritated and feeling suicidal. I feel that if I'm feeling crappy I may as well see if someone professional can help me. I looked up my college's mental health center and decided to go today to see if I could speak to someone. I go in and they make me do a questionnaire and then I'm told to wait. Not long after they tell me they have an appointment available in one month. I honestly feel pretty down to hear this because I was reading their pamphlet that their services are only available if you are paying college tuition which means I'll get one appointment and then I won't be able to go since I'm graduating this semester.

I feel that they should of put a sign that the first time you go, you are only going to make an appointment. I understand that they're other people who need help and they only let walk-ins if you are having a crisis but I was hoping to get help as quickly as possible.

I'm honestly thinking of canceling the appointment. I feel that there is no point if I am only going to get one 1-hour session.

Oh man that is awful! Here you are reaching out for help and all you're going to get is one appointment in a month which is going to do nothing. Can't you see a therapist in a private practice? Do you have insurance?

 

[RestingGirl23]

Oh man that is awful! Here you are reaching out for help and all you're going to get is one appointment in a month which is going to do nothing. Can't you see a therapist in a private practice? Do you have insurance?

I don't have insurance of any kind. However, I ended up not canceling the appointment so I will update when its over and post my experience here.

 

[Sweet emotion]

I don't have insurance of any kind. However, I ended up not canceling the appointment so I will update when its over and post my experience here.

Well I hope you the best and hope one day you are able to get insurance so you can get btter doctors because now in life everyone needs medical insurance. It shouldn't be so expensive.

 

[RestingGirl23]

I wasn't going to post till having my appointment but I'm still having a hard time. I didn't feel like going to any of my club's end of the year parties but I ended up going to one and I feel it wasn't that bad. However, it really hit me when it was over that I wasn't going to see a lot of people that were nice to me again. Everyone goes off to do their own thing and I'm again by myself unneeded. I have the appointment next Tuesday, but I'm already thinking of making plans for next Friday or Saturday to ctb since I'll be officially done with school.

 

[LegaliseIt!]

Some thoughts:

Ask to be put on a cancellation list—you might get seen quicker if someone else cancels.

Ask for a referral to a "sliding scale clinic" for after grad. Sliding scale means you pay based on your income.

Also: New Social Work/Counselling grads sometimes get their hours for licensure by offering free/inexpensive services.

Also: if you are dealing with specific life issues, specific agencies may offer counseling based on that. (Example: When I left an abusive marriage, the Women's Shelter offered free counseling even though I wasn't living there.

Sometimes, when I have been struggling, it's been hard to find possible alternatives—I lock on to one thing.

Peace and congratulations on finishing college!

 

[RestingGirl23]

All right, so I just got out of my counseling session. Few thoughts:

1. Counselor was attentive, and made sure to repeat some things I said to reinforce that he was listening to me. Seemed to have a hard time understanding some of my struggles, but I hardly understand myself sometimes so I won't take off points.

2. He gave me a few common sense solutions but didn't try to encourage or comfort me.

3. Gave me referrals to other places that won't charge a lot to be seen if I do wish to go.

Overall, I'm having mixed feelings from the session. I didn't feel that it helped me at all, but I also feel that it wasn't a total waste of time. I guess I just ranted for an hour and gave voice to some of my frustrations. He didn't try to rush me throughout the session and made sure I finished all of my thoughts. ( I appreciated that). To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel at the moment.

 

[LegaliseIt!]

All right, so I just got out of my counseling session. Few thoughts:

1. Counselor was attentive, and made sure to repeat some things I said to reinforce that he was listening to me. Seemed to have a hard time understanding some of my struggles, but I hardly understand myself sometimes so I won't take off points.

2. He gave me a few common sense solutions but didn't try to encourage or comfort me.

3. Gave me referrals to other places that won't charge a lot to be seen if I do wish to go.

Overall, I'm having mixed feelings from the session. I didn't feel that it helped me at all, but I also feel that it wasn't a total waste of time. I guess I just ranted for an hour and gave voice to some of my frustrations. He didn't try to rush me throughout the session and made sure I finished all of my thoughts. ( I appreciated that). To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel at the moment.

Give yourself a hug for going to the session and giving therapy a try. You can always access one of the referral agencies later. It may take a few days to digest the session, especially if you are depressed and overwhelmed or emotionally numb—just my experience. You are practicing self care and avoiding impulsive behaviour. Brava!

 

[Sensei]

I guess I just ranted for an hour and gave voice to some of my frustrations.

That's valuable in itself. If you don't let out some steam you're going to explode.

 

[Taki]

All right, so I just got out of my counseling session. Few thoughts:

1. Counselor was attentive, and made sure to repeat some things I said to reinforce that he was listening to me. Seemed to have a hard time understanding some of my struggles, but I hardly understand myself sometimes so I won't take off points.

2. He gave me a few common sense solutions but didn't try to encourage or comfort me.

3. Gave me referrals to other places that won't charge a lot to be seen if I do wish to go.

Overall, I'm having mixed feelings from the session. I didn't feel that it helped me at all, but I also feel that it wasn't a total waste of time. I guess I just ranted for an hour and gave voice to some of my frustrations. He didn't try to rush me throughout the session and made sure I finished all of my thoughts. ( I appreciated that). To be honest, I'm not sure how I feel at the moment.

I'm glad you went. It may not seem like it, but at your age you have plenty of time to turn things around. Good luck.