Do I have too many issues for counseling?
I have so many issues to address. I have a history of sexual abuse, I’m a breast cancer survivor and I am a lifetime insomniac.
I have a long history of depression and I’m beginning to have anxiety. I have low self esteem but I’ve been happily married for almost 35 years.
I’ve never had counseling about any of this. Do I have too many issues to address in counseling?
This will depend on whether you make the attempt to tackle them all at once (something I would strongly recommend against). Here are a number of things you can do in order to maximize therapy. First, identify which of the issues that you listed is the most pressing. Second, decide if this is the issue that you are ready to tackle. This will allow both you and the therapist you are working with to focus during the session. Trying to tackle everything at once would likely lead to you experiencing overwhelm, which would be counterproductive. Instead, if you were to decide that you would like to address depression, you might start by asking "what am I down about?" understanding that it can be one thing or a number of things. Compiling a potential list of triggers will give you something to focus on when you first enter the therapy session. Then, as you address each issue one at a time, your level of confidence in your ability to successfully navigate those areas of your life will grow, opening the door to further exploration of additional issues. You can do this! Hope this helps.
- Upvote
- 116 views
View 89 other answers
More Answers
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Parenting
- Self-esteem
- Relationship Dissolution
- Workplace Relationships
- Spirituality
- Trauma
- Domestic Violence
- Anger Management
- Sleep Improvement
- Intimacy
- Grief and Loss
- Substance Abuse
- Family Conflict
- Marriage
- Eating Disorders
- Relationships
- LGBTQ
- Behavioral Change
- Addiction
- Legal & Regulatory
- Professional Ethics
- Career Counseling
- Stress
- Human Sexuality
- Social Relationships
- Children & Adolescents
- Alzheimer's
- Military Issues
- Self-harm
- Diagnosis
- Counseling Fundamentals