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Samaritans/phone councilling
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Just asked in chat- How do you get the courage to do it?
What happens when you call?
Would you recommend it?
I have called various times, when i've been depressed, when i haven't had access to a face to face councillor. I was nervous at first, and unable to really get out what I wanted to say, but the silence didn't feel uncomfortable, and i was reassured that the person on the other line was not in a hurry, they had hours for me if i needed it- so that felt so nice. The advice I received was given gently, a more of a persuading/back up to the ideas i was giving, so it didn't feel forced or scary.
I would call again, to any phone service because i find them helpful, and yet slightly distant, so i didn't feel scrutinised/paranoid or embarrassed about my reactions as i would do with face to face.
Feel free to share your experiences
What happens when you call?
Would you recommend it?
I have called various times, when i've been depressed, when i haven't had access to a face to face councillor. I was nervous at first, and unable to really get out what I wanted to say, but the silence didn't feel uncomfortable, and i was reassured that the person on the other line was not in a hurry, they had hours for me if i needed it- so that felt so nice. The advice I received was given gently, a more of a persuading/back up to the ideas i was giving, so it didn't feel forced or scary.
I would call again, to any phone service because i find them helpful, and yet slightly distant, so i didn't feel scrutinised/paranoid or embarrassed about my reactions as i would do with face to face.
Feel free to share your experiences
0
Comments
they were nice and useful, and provided a good outlet... but it doesn't compare to keep going to the same person who gets to know you. but i guess if its a crisis and you want to remain totally anonymous then they're good.
Purple, you wrote that way better- that was my experience too, exactly right with the guidance, and the way she gave me a new perspective (or helped me gain a clearer view because i was then able to see through the crisis-fog)
Thanks
Afaik she's doing ok. Haven't spoken to her for a while myself but her boyfriend is one of my besties so I get the lowdown on their lives every so often.
:yes: I have been through stages of sending emails back and forth to them for days/weeks at any one time and some of the responses are excellent and others aren't...and the bit about gelling with them - is the same for face to face counselling. I've seen counsellors (one in particular) who were excellent and others that were just useless and left me feeling worse!
Totally true, the therapeutic relationship is a major factor in recovery; which is why people need to be more empowered to request a change, I don't know how we'd achieve that in real life and budgetary constraints but that would be the ideal.
Glad to hear she's doing alright I used to have her on FB but I got a new account a while ago, she is lovely.