Counselor with scars?

[popsicle]

It would make me uncomfortable if a counselor I was seeing had visible scars. Reason being that I have a really difficult time being honest with therapists because sharing my feelings makes me feel guilty, like I'm burdening them by being sad (which I know is silly). The guilt feelings are much worse if I know about personal problems my counselor is having / has had. It's an anxiety thing, not a judgmental thing. The other problem I could see coming up would be comparing scars, and trying to figure out if I was a "better" self harmer. That being said, I have never been in this position, so I'm just speculating. Also, I think I'm in the minority, which is very cool.

[phoenix_M]

Hi.

the last counselor i saw had been through quit a lot. i think her dis-closer of this to me, and that fact that she had a couple of visible scars, actually helped me in some ways. i think obviously it this had been the case in our first session i may have been freaked out. but as our sessions progressed and she informed me of the relevant issues shed had similar to mine, it helped me realize that people can come through all sorts of things, and become the people they want to be.

[Wonderland.]

When I was 16 and living in the hostel one of the support workers I got on amazingly with told me about how she used to self harm and at the time it made me feel much less alone. They were very faded scars. But I'm not sure how I'd feel now if that happened.

Although my current support worker has disordered eating and has been on AD's and has to have diazepam from time to time, and one of the CC's I know is on AD's and it doesn't bother me at all because even before I knew both haven't been well I clicked with them straight away, they just got me and maybe thats because they've been through MH crap themselves. It gives me hope that one day even though my illness is life long I could become stable enough despite my history to get a job like they have.

[Snow White.]

These are really interesting to read and really reassuring, thanks to the OP for asking and everyone sharing opinions :)

[SoSimple]

I agree! This has been so helpful and I am really enjoying hearing about each of your experiences! Thank you so much for sharing and if you haven't yet, feel free to chime in!

[csu.claire]

hay sosimple
i am in the same boat too I'm now half way through my bachelor of social work and i want to end up in youth mental health, i too have scars on my arms and have had to see social workers for counselling throughout time

i have actually asked my counsellor if it would seem hypercritical or weird for potential clients to see my old SH scars and she responded with it makes ur more relatable and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel if you want to work hard you can stop and improve your life

my mothers friend is also a social worker but has bad anxiety and she does counselling for families but sees her on counsellor for her anxiety. This shows that yes we have our own problems that need to be seen to but that doesn't/ shouldn't stop us from helping others