You get what you pay for

I’ve had my fill with free counselling services through my work. They weren’t the best. They would just sit there, look at me and try to calm me down. Then they ask what are some strategies that I can do. It’s just didn’t do it for me. One counsellor in particular tried to push his personal agenda on me by asking me what my sexual orientation is. Counsellors need to give their clients a choice if they want to talk about the issues of sexuality or not. Believe me, I felt even more depressed after walking out of the office. I’m sure that’s a different experience for everybody but free counselling is not for me. So I just pay to see a psychologist that I’ve known for many years. He knows my history and has really helped me truly understand my feelings. I think I will stick with people whom I can trust and the psychologist is definitely one of them.

13 Comments

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This is somewhat dangerous

Nov 3, 2021 at 3:54pm

As psychiatric patient, these kind of confessions push people away from counselling. Psychologists and counsellors and social workers are essentially the different sides of the same coin. A psychiatrist is different, and they are in very limited supply. Essentially you didn't like one counsellor but liked your other counsellor, this is actually common. Many people need to go to a bunch of sessions to find people they connect with. Where you veer dangerously is confusing the fact that your psychologist is simply your counsellor. Sh*tting on free counselling doesn't help anyone. Next time you go to your psychologist, you should have him explain that part to you so that you don't push others looking for help away from potential help.

7 6Rating: +1

I had one who set a timer

Nov 3, 2021 at 5:01pm

and when the alloted appt was up , this loud buzzer want off meaning we were finished. Even in mid-sentence! There is variety out there, now I have a good one. So keep at it.

8 1Rating: +7

It depends on the counsellor.

Nov 3, 2021 at 6:26pm

I agree with *This is somewhat dangerous* on one count in particular. It's all about finding a compatible counsellor, whether that be a psychologist you cover on your own, or a counsellor through work. I've seen a number of both over time, and there were usually some bumps around finding the right person. Persistence is needed to make that happen. One of the best I had was a counsellor through work, 2nd try worked out.

6 4Rating: +2

@ timer

Nov 3, 2021 at 6:33pm

I have a friend who is a counsellor and she uses a buzzer. It is necessary because some clients jump 4 feet in the air when it goes off and she loves the lulz.

2 5Rating: -3

Dangerous?

Nov 3, 2021 at 10:46pm

Not sure how the OP sounds dangerous in any way because that person is only relating through their own experience by getting stuff of their chests. We can all agree to disagree respectfully, right?

14 1Rating: +13

Degree or not

Nov 3, 2021 at 10:58pm

It’s a shame that anyone can be counsellor while it takes a lot of time and money to become and see a psychiatrist. While one can offer you complete bs the other can supply meds and counselling. Counsellors aren’t regulated municipally, provincially or federally. Whereas a malpractice suit is different. Get what you pay for.

13 3Rating: +10

@This is somewhat dangerous

Nov 4, 2021 at 4:30am

If the truth is “dangerous” then so be it. Finding a good counsellor or trained professional who you’re compatible with takes time, trial, and error. It’s immediately apparent when it’s not a good fit. Like anything. Why sugarcoat the truth?

8 1Rating: +7

@OP

Nov 4, 2021 at 8:46am

I totally agree. The free ones from work are not the best. You get what you don't pay for.

9 1Rating: +8

Go your own way

Nov 4, 2021 at 11:59am

I think it’s best for anyone to just seek out whatever therapy or counselling works best for them. If you’re OK with browsing around until you find the right counsel that’s a good fit for you, that’s great. But if you feel more fulfilled paying to see a psychologist or psychiatrist, again that’s totally fine. You do you. Different strokes for different folks.

6 1Rating: +5

I...

Nov 4, 2021 at 12:24pm

... went to a psychologist once. I asked if it and helped anyone and I gave my impression. My impression was that if you were a sort of weak-minded and you needed someone to tell you what to do and you weren't that bright then there might be some help for you there. Surprisingly the psychologist agreed with me she said yeah this mostly works on people who are not as smart as I am. And I said oh so it's like how you train a dog there's just one rule: you must be smarter than the dog. And she agreed yeah that sort of how it is. I mean it's not that there aren't some tips they can give like if you're constantly telling yourself you're awful and you wish you were dead I mean maybe stop doing that. Or on the other hand maybe it's because you're in a horrible living situation that makes you wish you were dead so maybe you should fix that and then you wouldn't say those things anymore. My view is that much of what people take is abnormal mental health it's completely normal when you're living in a situation where you can't control things and we didn't evolve to this way.

1 6Rating: -5

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