I remember the day I decided I needed help again. I sat in my car, palms sweating, so scared to call the counsellor that I had found.
What if this is a terrible idea?
What if they can't help me?
What if I can't face this?
Or worst...
What if this is just as bad as last time?
I had been to counselling before. A kind friend helped me walk over to the university counselling service and sign up. Although they helped get me through some hard times, it didn't do the deeper work that I needed. And the counsellor made me uncomfortable. She sat in silence, waiting for me to talk. I had no idea what to say or what was expected. I often left feeling uncomfortable and confused. And she also did not understand my worldview as a Christian, which made me feel even more alone and strange. My first experience in counselling was terrible.
Thankfully, years later, as I sat in my car with my phone in my shaky hand, I had the number of someone who was a better fit for me. Someone who would end up changing the course of my life because of her genuine, consistent, and safe care for me.
But I didn't know that at the time. All I knew was how scary it was to reach out for help.
But I am so glad that I did.
If you're ready to start counselling, check out these posts on what you can expect in counselling, what counselling can help, and how to get the most out of counselling. They can help demystify counselling and the process of therapy.