Seeing A Therapist?

Absolutely! As long as your counselor is trained in, or at least sensitive to, lbgt issues, then seeing a counselor can be a great way to approach this (you can even request to meet with various different counselors until you find one you feel most comfortable with, if you want). It may also help you feel more comfortable about talking to your friend.

Are you feeling nervous about seeing a counselor? Or just looking to see if you're heading in the right direction?

 

Don't worry about not being able to find the words for the receptionist. Keeping it between you and the therapist is perfectly ok.

Speaking with a counsellor/therapist is an excellent idea and you absolutely have the right to try out different people until you find a good fit. I specifically chose a therapist who specialises in LGBT issues, but this is a private arrangement so I have complete choice.

If you have access through your school as you suggest, there may be less choice so checking that your counsellor is sensitive to LGBT issues is the thing to do, as Gravity advocates.

Good luck!

Rose

 

Absolutely a good idea. The only thing I warn you to be careful about is making sure you're with the right person, someone you're comfortable talking to- obviously. Try seeing a couple different people if you can, and then choose who would be a good fit to work with you on helping you figure out your sexuality. I see a great therapist right now, it just took me a couple tries before I found the right one. Best of luck!

 

As both a psychology major and a user of free university therapy, I highly recommend it. I honestly believe it would be hugely helpful as long as you have qualified therapists at your university. Mine is pretty progressive though. If your university is anything like mine the student services building has pink triangle safe zone stickers all over the offices and stuff, if you see those you will know for sure you should be in good hands. If its a bad experience just stop going.

Here's how this went to me (because I was nervous about the same stuff). The reception asked if I was seeking counseling for academic or personal reasons. I don't believe they even asked details about what it was about. They just asked if it was something I need urgent help for or if I could set up an appointment. I just said it was for personal issues and it didn't require immediate assistance.

I set up a meeting to meet with a therapist for them to evaluate my issues. I got a laptop to fill out a form for them. It asked questions like what is your gender and sexual orientation, and as far as I know the receptionist doesn't see that info. I didn't even have to label a gender or orientation, and their were boxes for in depth explanations. Like gender I literally put "I'd rather not say" and just explained that gender confusion was my reason for coming in.

You shouldn't need to worry about the receptionist at all. If they ask for your reason for coming in just tell them that its personal and you'd rather wait to discuss it to a licensed professional.

 

I am seeing a counsellor and if it wasn't for her I wouldnt have plucked up the confidence to say anything to anyone. And because they are independent and can't judge, they are great resources. To start off with, my counsellor was the only person I could talk to.