not sure about counselling
 

I've been seeing a counsellor regulalry for about 3 months for depression. One of my friends found out last night and her response was that if i need to go more than once i must be really screwed up.
When i started going i felt positive about it, that maybe it would help and i'd finally be 'normal'. It's not like i ever expected to go in there and sort out 10 years of **** in an hour but i don't feel like i'm really getting anywhere. Now i'm wondering if there's any point trying that maybe i'm wasting her time cause i'm beyond help.

counselling isn't for everyone but i think you can tell if ti's helping by if you like going and like the support, it's doing something, even if it's not 'curing' you. talk to your counsellor about whether she thinks it's helping.

Your friend had no right to say that, and in saying it has proved how little she knows about Counselling. Most counsellors will use the first session as a 'get to know you' and 'this is how we are going to do this' session.

I would say the minimum number of sessions a person sees a counsellor is about six times. And the number does not reflect how 'ill' or 'not ill' a person is, merely how long it takes to run through any issues, gain trust in the counsellor, and want the support they are there to provide. No longer going does not mean you are any better or worse. It is down to the individual and every individual is different.

I would say ignore your friends thoughtless comment and hold on to the positivity you felt before then. Counselling is not for everyone, but if you are finding it helps, in any way at all, then it is worth continuing with it.

*hugs* sorry for rambling, hope it made sense.

Don't let your friend's ignorance deter you from getting the help you need. As for feeling like you're not getting anywhere - 3 months isn't that long to have been receiving therapy, so give it more time. Sometimes things are going to feel worse before they feel better.

Counselling certainly isn't for everyone, I can't say that I've ever had much luck with it. That said, please don't listen to your friend. I hope you continue with it, you're not beyond help.

i've been in therapy for a few years and i'm not cured - but i am a LOT better. like others said, your friend is wrong to say people are cured in one session. in fact, i don't think i've ever heard of it working that way. for some people it takes just a few sessions, usually to sort out a specific problem, but for others it may take many. that's not to say you won't be making progress. (and sometimes progress is hard to actually see until a while later). think of certain parts of the US where it's commonplace to have a therapist. it doesn't make you bad or wrong or messed-up. just means you need some support and someone to talk things through with.

Hey, dont listen to your friend! Counselling can take as long as you need it to, and there're very few problems that can be solved in an hour! Even if it just helps you to feel safe/understood/listened to/whatever, for that one hour a week or whatever, it's worth it isn't it? You need to decide what's right for you, and ignore silly comments like that.

take care, and hope you feel better about this soon,
jenx

Your friend had no right to say that. Counselling is not for everyone. Personally, I never found it helpful. I found cognitive therapy a lot more useful, but everyone is different and some people hate cognitive therapy. You'll find the right thing for you but don't let an ignorant friend judge whether it's working for you. Ask a friend who's known you a long time and is supportive of you going to counselling if they've noticed a difference in how you are, and talk to your counsellor about how she thinks you are moving forward. The only way to find out if it will help is to try it.

Your friend shouldn't have said that. Realistically, I don't even see how you could get anything done in one session even if you were completely healthy. The first couple of sessions are usually for the counsellor to get to know you, to find out what you're going to be working on, and for you to get to know the counsellor. I think with my current therapist, we didn't actually start working on the issues until after about 2 or 3 months.

Your friend made a completely ignorant statement. Needing counseling doesn't make you screwed up, and one session on it's own is really not even hardly worth it. I'd give it some time if you think there's a chance it might help.