Can't seem to commit to counseling

[erocse]

    I just can't seem to commit to go get counseling .The one and only experience I had with a  therapist was when I  was 17. I was pretty screwed up at the time. So my parents got me an appointment to see a  therapist..The therapist was expensive but came highly recommended by a family friend .  They brought me down to a large office building in West Hollywood. Drop my off in front and tell me to go to whatever office and see this doctor and they would pick me up after awhile. So I go in wait for awhile then the doctor is ready to see me.  He tells me to sit down and asks "what can I do for you?" I figured this was his job so he shouldn't be shocked with anything I have to say. I didn't hold anything back. I guess I was a little nervous and talked pretty fast. He didn't try to stop me once. After about a half hour I stopped talking an waited  for some sort of reply . It took awhile for him to say something , he actually looked confused. Then he said " did someone tell you to come to me?" I said ,"yes my parents got your number from a friend" . So he  says " Because I am a weight loss doctor, I counsel  people who have weight problems".

     Boy did I feel awkward .  At the time I thought wtf  you could have stooped me or said something? After that I figured I would go it alone.

     Thirty years later I look back on that experience and I just have to just laugh about it. If I decide to see a therapist I think I will wait a visit or two before I open up to him.

   Erocse

[Colleen Ireland]

Thank you for my laugh of the day!  That's some story.  What you SHOULD do, I think, if you need counseling, is look specifically for a gender counselor, or someone who is definitely LGBT-friendly (and knowledgeable).  I took that approach, and it took a while to find someone, but I am incredibly pleased with the person I'm working with.  She is a godsend!  Worth every penny I pay her.  Don't take a chance on some "general" psychologist or therapist - insist on someone who knows what they're talking about.  Otherwise (IMHO), you're just wasting your time and money...