I know I am going to say a few things that may come off of a few folks. Whenever it rains it makes me pull out my journals. I have been in counseling on and off for a few years. So when rainy days it takes me back to that moment. I believe in counseling by licensed counselor. I am not all for folks running to everyone with their issues. The reason is everyone don’t have the license and mindset to rightly divide where a person is. So it’s not that you can’t run to a friend, or a pastor but you just got to be careful. I do love licensed pastors because they can be a jewel to the community having the spiritual understanding with the licenses can be super helpful. So for some they get so upset the second you say don’t run to the pastors. I didn’t say don’t I said be careful. It could be from my level of hurt that I am openly saying I am still working through since my old pastor tried it. I will say is some folks will talk to you and then have their message be your life on Sunday. Some folks like to do that prayer list conversation and reality your life becomes the tea of the week. So be careful. People are messy individuals in real life no matter what their title!
In counseling I noticed that my days that I would go in was on rainy days. It wasn’t that many sunny days. It really could just be that during those times I noticed the rainy days because of the down place that made me go there in the first place. I can admit that made a lot of sense. However today’s rain made me pull a few lessons for my current life. Not that life has totally went left, but emotionally I really want to respond to those around me in the proper way even when my petty, smart assed mouth yes I said smart assed mouth is ever-present. I really struggle with balanced my life in those regards. I really am sweet but if pushed or provoked or I just want to let loose, I can and will and I know deep down in my heart, that life will not bring me any good down the line. So I dusted off a few techniques so I could find the place where I needed to be.
I was asked in my Facebook message what reasons have I gone to counseling a few weeks ago and I acted like I hadn’t seen the message, but I seen it. I have gone initially for postpartum. So a few years ago after the birth of my son, moving from one city to another and being a stay at home mom of 2 under 2 my life was under pressure and after almost calling the police at my fiancé at the time, I called me a counselor who saw me stat. Ever since then I have gone for various things. If I feel triggered about something in my childhood, issues within myself, or issues with motherhood or being a wife, I stroll right down. My last session was almost 2 years ago with a counselor in person. I also have done some pick me up sessions with a mobile counselor meaning I call them and they say hey Toi, what’s going on how can I help. I prefer in person counseling but it is hard to do with working full-time, and being a wife and a mother that the mobile counselor is what I rely on. Now I don’t call every time something gets on my nerves. I only call if I feel like I am overwhelmed and reaching out to strategic friends and family who are not the cause in my head of the trigger doesn’t help, I will call my mobile therapist. They are wonderful. Always warm, and if they are judging you it’s in their head and not out their mouths. They give you real life tips and they have been helpful to and for me.
Now growing up the general message was that you don’t share your business. I now know that is wrong information. You have to be strategic in who you share. If I am not comfortable and for me I choose male or female depending on what’s going on. So shout out to my counselors because altogether they have been super bomb. Let me encourage a few of you who have never gone but are super on edge on if you should go. Consider asking your insurance who to go to so it’s covered. Watch your coins. Sometimes it ain’t free and you need to know that. You can get services through your job at times. Even them free 6 sessions can be the difference between bail money, suicide, a fight, or a mental meltdown. Trust me-no shame at all. If you know of someone in your inner circle who is getting counseling unless they tell you to give that information out to others its imperative to shut your mouth and let people be great. I had that happen the first year that I went and someone super close to me told others how I was in counseling and taking meds at a time where I wouldn’t have shared the information with anyone. I hadn’t even told my momma and two its super personal and set me to trigger even more. But counseling is necessary for those who need it. I honestly think that everyone can benefit going at least once. Even the super happy folks have things inside of them that need worked out.
Benefits of Therapy
- Having a 3rd party call you out without having a personal relationship
- Healing whether mental or emotional healing
- Consistent sessions give you something positive to look forward
Pitfalls of Therapy
- Opens other wounds as you process
- Emotionally down for about an hour after session and having to recover
- If not taken serious or stopping too soon can make things work, so commit
The pitfalls aren’t anything that is super detrimental but needed to be said. You may go to counseling and think you will leave skipping and jumping and that may not be the case. I have left therapy mad more times before because of the assignments given after you leave make you think. That is what the counseling is supposed to do. So be aware that its work. It’s not a great high time like the movies show you.
The other day I wrote about national family day and then this week I felt like just unblocking folks, and walking in full healing I just wanted to be sure that it was for the right reason. I called my counselor and letting him/her know about it. She was so happy about it but the reality is I have been walking in but these last steps of speaking openly about my family was super good for me even if no one else felt what I was trying to say. Not to say that no one does because I love reading your comments as well as your emails about some of the issues you may have had in your own family. That made me feel good knowing that I wasn’t the only one who had to be tried in that area. Also today the rain allowed me to write. It allowed me to share with my therapist about a few things that transpired and helped me to find ways to be a help to those around me and not give into things I know will trigger me. Also I find that a lot of techniques I end up practicing on those around me even if they don’t know I am. But the results is the only thing I am looking for. I am looking to be the right that I want or need in my life. I really don’t want to be a hinderance to myself and especially the ones I live with. If I am walking around mad, pissed off, yelling, testy, what will that do for anyone? No! So although I am not perfect I am very grateful for balance and attempting to balance me in all areas. I am really not working towards perfection. That perfect life for me just doesn’t exist. However if I can balance things better than that works for me.
Shout out to all of you who like me are a work in progress and rely on therapy or ever had it to make you whole!
