Depression Support Group

Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.

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orion888 04/06/2013

Maybe I am overreacting, but I am kind of wondering if my counselor still wants to work with me. About three weeks ago, I cancelled because I did not sleep at all the night before and just was not able to drive down there. I think that was a function of depression a little bit. I usually am pretty reliable and don't flake, but I hate to do that. I really needed to talk to him that day and I should have.

After the holidays, I emailed him, just sort of telling him how stressful the holiday was. I basically needed to vent. I rcvd. an email back from him, and just sensed in the tone of it that he was a little aggravated, as though he thought there were some things that I should have worked past by now.
I tried to get a hold of him this week to confirm for Saturday, today, and could not get a hold of him.

But I went to his group on Wednesday, and we confirmed for today. When I woke up and was getting ready to go this morning, I got a text saying that he wasn't feeling well and had to cancel. I don't want to assume the worst or be negative, but I really needed to be there today and I'm not sure if what I am feeling is right. I guess if he cancels for the next time I would know for sure. He is only able to meet on weekends so I it's a long time in between.

deleted_user 04/06/2013

I think you have to give your counselor the benefit of the doubt. If he continues to avoid ou, which I don't think he will, you can move on and find another counselor. You are in charge, not him.

deleted_user 04/06/2013

I would hope your counselor is more professional than to avoid you instead of coming straight out and telling you that he can't work with you anymore. It sounds like you are insecure in the relationship and I would strongly recommend that you deal with that feeling at your next meeting. I have learned the hard way that a therapist can't help if there is no trust. Wait to see what happens next weekend, even though it is a week away, and go from there.

Annie

heretic 04/06/2013

I agree with InHisHand, give him some slack and wait and see what happens

itsjustme8 04/06/2013

If I were to have to place a bet, just as you were "off" and had to cancel, he could have been sick too. Therapists are humans as well and email isn't always the best communication route - same goes for text messages.

deleted_user 04/06/2013

It can be hard when we are not feeling well, but we also have to rember that counselors are paid by filling appointment slots, if we give them less then 48 hrs notice, it may be hard to fill that slot, also we have to activly participate in our recovery, if we miss apointments they may feel you are not serious about your mental heath. So it's important to make apointments and keep them.

muskrattiger 04/06/2013

i think you have some good answers here ................giving him the benifit of the dought .............here for my phicatrist if you just miss an apointment and you havent given them a 24 hour notis they will not take you as a pashent eney more and i think that is so un fair concerding you are dealing with pachents that have such problems but they just started that and we now have to pay parking to ...............thats our government for you

koolman 04/07/2013

Hate to rain on your parade, but the only things we can truly be sure of are death and taxes!

Your counselor is human too, prone to human frailties and foibles. I'm sure he does indeed get aggravated, not only at his patients, but at the fact that his therapy, that it took years of learning to acquire the necessary shingle and acumen, doesn't always work. It's like doctors who become nutritionists because they see that traditional medicine is somewhat limited.

Or maybe he is just really not feeling well. Again, your counselor is only human.

Don't worry; he'll call ya to reschedule. He needs your money.

Meanwhile, take a walk. Exercise always helps me, get through many a depressed funk.

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