Advice - Professional Help
 

hi guys,

so today is my 17th birthday but it certainly hasn't been a great one..
i got frustrated and punched a wall last night and had to get an x-ray on my knuckles today. I've been dealing with self-harm for around three years now and now my parents have decided enough is enough and want me to get professional help..
i have a meeting with 'some guy' a counsellor i'm guessing, this friday.. thing is i've refused all help in the past and i really don't know what to expect? i'm just really agitated about the whole thing, i mean if i can't even open up to my family and friends about whats going on then how will i be able to talk to some man who doesn't give a toss about me? what kind of questions can i expect?

any feedback at all would be really really appreciated xx

If you're not ready then you're not ready, but the important thing is to always give it a try I think! I thought a lot like you before I met my current counselor. I've been seeing him for a year now and at this moment I am 2 and a half months SH free... I SH for 12 years! I really feel like I owe it to counseling. Yeah, it took me a year to get here, but it's not a quick fix kind of thing. It takes a lot of work, and a lot of time.

I'm glad now that I kept going back, even when I felt it wasn't getting me anywhere and was wasting my time. So please, just give it a shot ;) Sometimes talking to an unbiased stranger can be easier than you think. They're not going to judge you and their reaction won't affect any relationships you have like you may have to worry about with people who are closer to you.

This
 

You haven't tried it so how can you say you didn't find it helpful?

Counseling can be hard at first, opening up to a stranger is by no means easy and it is understandable that you have some hesitations. The thing is you can't knock it till you try it, and I mean really try it. You'd be surprised at how these people actually do care, that's why they get into that profession. Maybe try to write things out that you can talk about. That way you can give them the paper to let them know some things you want to talk about if you feel you might have problems talking about stuff. Try to make the most of your time with them, they can be extrememly helpful. Try to stay strong and take care.