Counseling

[redrainstorm.livejournal.com]

We're going to be filling out paperwork to get in to see a counselor. I have a lot of issues going on besides the multiplicity that just simply need to be addressed. I also have others that wish to be heard about their problems as well as we progress in counseling. But, one of the reasons I've put off counseling is my fear that once I do open up about being multiple - they'll write me off as crazy or a liar. I know that I won't say anything until I feel that I'm comfortable enough to share it with my counselor. My fear is - when the time comes - how to bring it up with them. Does anyone have any advice to share?

Comments

[browncoatrebel.livejournal.com]

I/we still haven't told my/our therapist, but I think she's pretty much figured it out, because she's very astute and observant. But if you're seeing a good therapist, SHe should see you[s] as SHe did before you told Hir about being multiple, as far as whether or not you're "crazy."

Kate

[catskillmarina.livejournal.com]

come straight out and ask their poition on it. If you do not like their attitude,
find someone else as a counselor.

We have had VERY good responses from 2 therapists and one psychiatrist about it. They
were like - well - we would like to get to know all of you, but the issue is X, Y or
Z... Not the multiplicity.

We did have a more interesting reaction from a loved one who is a shrink but once she
spent time with us in person - she said that she had not seen the non-patholigical
version of 'the variant'.

[catskillmarina.livejournal.com]

ummm, duh - of course. People who are not having issues do not GO to psychiatrists,
so of course that would skew a psychiatrist's perspective.

--- Miri

[linacrow.livejournal.com]

I went to see my school's psychiatrist about a week ago, the multiple thing wasn't the problem but she kinda needed to know about it to be able to know the whole story about what was the problem. She was very cool about it and was basically like "as long as it isn't a problem then that's cool". But she was new....all the other counselers are kinda....creepy....very creepy...I guess you should just find out their opinion on it (I didn't do this first because I was in my freaked-out-and-talk-about-stuff-very-rappidly mood).

re: telling a shrink

[justbetsy.livejournal.com]

You should definitely shop around because some psych professionals don't BELIEVE that MPD/DID exists, and some that do, feel that integration is the ONLY answer. It's important that you be talking to someone you feel comfortable with and can trust and respect.