Sorry to keep replying to every single thing you write, yet here I go again…

I started seeing a counselor when I was going through a rough time a couple years ago…it was so nice to talk to someone and have them make sense of my thoughts! Yes we all do have issues. it’s normal to have issues!

I stopped seeing her and felt great, then started seeing her again when my father died. It helped SOOO much. I just do a lot of talking and voice my concerns, fears, joys, etc. and she helpsme wrap my head around it all and I feel so much better once I get it all out…just talking outloud is a big help.

Good luck with this!

is exactly what makes you normal! These days almost everyone I know sees a professional for guidance sooner or later. I think it’s how we stay “normal”—whatever that means. Life gets complicated the longer you live it …

at the right time…

this is what i have been blessed enough to find this year. life changing stuff!!

i hope you get what you need. go ahead and make that call:)

And to be able to say you need help is the most courageous thing you could have ever done.
Finding someone to talk to who does not know you, who can listen with out biased that is worth its weight in gold.

I have always and will forever believe that when we talk we are then able to hear ourselves. That is when we find who we are.. Even when we listen to others talk about their lives we tend to discover our own desires, what makes us feel, what makes us act and react the way we do..
I think this is a great self enlightening goal..

Did you see that therapist yet?

A word about selecting therapists (I know you didn’t ask, but I thought I would risk it anyway).

I suggest you contact and interview several, at least 3. I know some therapists have a “Meet and Greet” type of 1st session just for this purpose (and they often don’t charge for it).
The therapist’s name you got from a friend may well be a good one for you. I only caution you to not delegate the selection process to someone else.

After interviewing then select based on your gut intution about each one.

i want to tell you that it is touching reading your words here: you seem to really be trying at self-examination and at being open to what you might find. i’m sorry and sad for you that you’re feeling so down. i don’t know the details of your relationship, but i’d say that the other half of your couple is lucky to have someone as sensitive as you and as willing to work at all this.

good luck.. it will all work out in the end.. it always works out, it really does. maybe not how we wish it to, but always in the best and most right way. that’s been my experience anyway.

You may be a bit surprised when you figure out who this really is responding to your writing, but it doesn’t matter. First of all, you should never feel guilty, or feel like you are “dumping” your problems onto friends. True friends are the most important ingredient in a support network and in time of need, even if it is extended, that is what they can provide SUPPORT. However, your friends may not provide the unbiased and non-judgemental view that a therapist is trained to do. Therapist understand how to reflect your feelings back on you so that you can truly understand those feelings. Many times when I have attempted to work through problems or certain difficult situations, it was not my friends who could truly help me lay out my thoughts and emotions in order for me to better understand them, it was a therapist. The trick is to find the right therapist for you, one that you can trust with all of your inner-being. Trusting in a therapist and yourself is the only way to make progress, otherwise the relationship is worthless. I applaude you for finding an outlet to express how you feel inside, next you have to move these written words through your vocal chords and verbalize them with someone you TRUST. You can always Trust your FAMILY.