@DraconidJoashu

(I certainly think that therapists deserve to be rewarded for all of the good that they do.)

That's true, they really should be.

Yeah, I definitely need to see a therapist, although my ridiculous RL circumstances won't allow me to do so for the foreseeable future.

@TulipsOfLove And I agree with your sentiments completely about how people shouldn't have to pay money for this sorta thing, although having received free therapy of sorts from talking with some of my close friends (including yourself) online, I suppose I am sort of biased.
(I certainly think that therapists deserve to be rewarded for all of the good that they do.)

@SuperCam fair points. Very true.

@TulipsOfLove I get what you are saying, but the more important skill that therapists have (at least for me) is to challenge my thinking and beliefs. They have an outside, objective, and educated perspective when it comes to mental health and what you tell yourself. They are more than just a shoulder to cry on or a tool you can vent to.

@.:A-MAN:. Oh I've heard. Thanks for the info. My whole thing is that there's money involved at all for someone just to listen and be respectful to another person.

@umer936 Sorry that "councilor" treated you like that. The hatred of people based on gender is so messed up. Looks to me that person was a career councillor and not a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) or psychiatrist. I really don't know why people dismiss others hurt or struggles with things like "suck it up". Gods forbid one has emotional needs or emotions at all!

@umer936 Glad the second one was better.

Maybe I'm just bad at it haha but I personally haven't had good times reaching out to councilors.

First time (in High School) was actually hurtful and she basically told me to "suck it up" (but I think she had some like kinda sexist ideas). I was actually in bad mental shape during that time.

This time I decided to try it because I've not met the things I've wanted to do over the last few years (mental health wise I'm doing pretty good). And I get access to it from my job through our employee benefits.
It's not hurtful like the last time, but I haven't found it helpful either. I guess it's better than nothing? Last week I told my councilor that I'll be stopping after the next one. Tbh I haven't had anything meaningful to talk about in it so he keeps trying to derive meaning from things that aren't that deep? I was looking more for someone to just like "double-check my work" on what I want to do in life. :shrug:


That said, I still recommend reaching out to a mental health professional if you feel you need one because, well, it's worth a shot.

Also pro tip: some health insurance plans include therapy as a covered cost.

Therapy is interesting to me, because it's usually the therapist listening and validating what you say, while still helping the person change their mind for the better or improving themself. Which a normal person should really (but usually can't) do for a person in need. Another thing that is really erking... Therapy costs, from what I heard. People have to pay, idk how this isn't seen as unethical. Really shows how broken society is that therapists have to exist at all, instead of people trying to better eachother with kindness.