I recently went for free counselling sessions at a community intiative where they asked me questions about myself, and they said a counsellor would get back to me in about 2 weeks. However I feel like I really want to address the issues I have immediately, should I go for private counselling? I’ve been browsing and I figured that sessions with a counsellor in training can be quite affordable.
On the other hand, I don’t know if going to therapy will actually be helpful. I’m scared about opening up and realising it was all me, that I’m the problem etc. I feel anxious about telling a stranger, and that I’m making it all up for attention. I’ve cut out a lot of my friends and loved ones (I felt so overwhelmed that I ended up ghosting my friends and family) and I don’t know if I would ever be normal again. Part of me feels like if others are able to manage their emotions well, then I should too.
Hi @approachablegecko8688,
The fears you’ve described are common and so worth unpacking.
The worry that you’ll open and find out that the things that are happening may not be all your fault yeah. A counsellor isn’t there to deliver a verdict on who’s at fault, therapy isn’t a finding a source to blame. It’s a space to understand yourself better, not to be found guilty of something.
The fear that you’re making it up for attention is also worth sitting with. People who are genuinely fine rarely spend much energy worrying that they’re faking it. That fear is often itself a sign that something real needs attention.
The comparison to others managing their emotions well may show that you’re seeing their outsides and comparing it to your insides. You have no idea what they’re carrying privately in reality too.
The ghosting, the overwhelm, the isolation, these are exactly the kinds of things therapy helps with. You don’t need to arrive already put-together. You just arrive as you are and that’s enough to start.
You may want to head to mindline.sg for resources found within the community. Alternatively, if you feel like you’d like to speak to somebody for the short run, feel free to reach out to National Mindline 1771 by calling 1771 or WhatsApp 66691771 for anonymous support.
Will going to therapy be really helpful? I’ve been pondering the question since I may not be able to handle the financial cost long term. I’m considering journaling and changing my behaviours (which I know is not the easiest way). I feel like I always have this cycle of euphoria and breakdowns that makes it hard for me to seek help .