1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Should I be open about my sexuality to the school counsellor?

Discussion in 'Coming Out Advice' started by Alder, May 28, 2015.

Thread Tools

Thread Tools

  1. Alder

    Alder
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2014
    Messages:
    1,145
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Wandering
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Some people
    I'm going for an appointment about some other personal stuff but my sexuality ties into some of the stuff I want to talk about.

    I'm really wary about talking about it though; I guess it's a little bit daunting having to be so open about it and I'm worried about the consequences. I also don't want to snap right back into being unsure or anxious about my sexuality again which can definitely happen if she starts asking questions or being uncomfortable with it.

    I'm not sure how to approach this territory, should I tentatively mention it and see how she reacts or? I know one of the senior staff members in school is supportive but I'm not sure about the counsellors because they come from outside organizations. Thanks!(*hug*)
     
    #1 Alder, May 28, 2015
  2. cyclops79

    cyclops79
    Regular Member

    Joined:
    May 13, 2015
    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Gender:
    Male
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Do it. I'm a bit older, mainly dealing with breaking down the old stigmas I was raised with. If they are a therapist/councilor it's totally ok. There's this thing called confidentiality. Unless you are going to hurt yourself or others they won't talk about it. And if they are any type of therapist with a decent amount of experience they've heard it all. And if they don't have the experience they'll refer you to another therapist.
     
    #2 cyclops79, May 28, 2015
  3. brainwashed

    brainwashed
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Dec 29, 2014
    Messages:
    2,141
    Likes Received:
    494
    Location:
    Phoenix, AZ
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    Yes. Talking to someone will also take weight off shoulders.
     
    #3 brainwashed, May 28, 2015
  4. Miko

    Miko Guest

    Do it! I told my high school counselor about my sexuality, she kept it a secret and it really helped. ^-^
     
    #4 Miko, May 28, 2015
  5. Schloss

    Schloss
    Regular Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2015
    Messages:
    149
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Beirut
    Gender:
    Male
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Hope that is working out for you. (Incidentally :grin: ) eavesdropping on your previous posts, I can tell that you're trying quite hard to learn/un-learn - construct/de-construct certain aspects of your identity.

    I'd agree about opening up about your sexuality to the councillor, definitely. She's supposed to keep everything you say in confidence, but I think the real question is if you are ready for it...
     
    #5 Schloss, May 28, 2015
  6. itsmary

    itsmary
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2015
    Messages:
    179
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Try it :slight_smile: I told my therapist and he was OK with that but acted like a complete dick. Don't worry, just be confident.
     
    #6 itsmary, May 28, 2015
  7. BobObob

    BobObob
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Jun 26, 2012
    Messages:
    577
    Likes Received:
    9
    Location:
    California
    Gender:
    Male
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Gay
    Out Status:
    Out to everyone
    I agree with the others. I think it's best that you be open about your sexuality to your counselor.

    Counselors are trained to be LGBT friendly, and are usually very safe to come out to.

    The university I attended made you fill out an intake questionnaire before your first counseling session, which included a question about sexual orientation. I'm sure the reason why this is done is because sexual orientation can be important for counseling, and being open about it early on can enable issues surrounding sexual orientation to be effectively addressed early on.

    Counselors understand that people can be very uncomfortable coming into counseling and discussing whatever the relevant issues are. You school counselor will probably be very sensitive to the fact that you're uncomfortable discussing these things, but chances are you'd become increasingly more and more comfortable talking about it with him/her over time.
     
    #7 BobObob, May 28, 2015
  8. Alder

    Alder
    Full Member

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2014
    Messages:
    1,145
    Likes Received:
    5
    Location:
    Wandering
    Gender:
    Male (trans*)
    Gender Pronoun:
    He
    Sexual Orientation:
    Bisexual
    Out Status:
    Some people
    Thank you all for the really supportive advice! It means a lot (*hug*)

    The term's almost ended but I'll try and be more open about it even for just a few sessions- I guess it's a good first step.
     
    #8 Alder, May 28, 2015
  9. kloulou

    kloulou Guest

    Councillors can't help you if they don't know everything!! They will work at their prime if they know everything that is troubling you so if your sexuality is part of it, I'd say tell him/her!
    It's part of the councillors job not to judge, but to help! Also everything is confidential.
    The most important thing is to be comfortable with your councillor. So do what's best for you :slight_smile:
     
    #9 kloulou, May 29, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)