After five sessions of psychological counseling, how should I express my feelings?

Greetings, question asker. It is beneficial to be able to see a person's face when reading their writing.

As a psychology student, authenticity is of paramount importance in psychological counseling.

Humanistic psychology, as exemplified by Rogers and Maslow, places significant emphasis on the importance of empathy and unconditional positive regard. In the context of psychological counseling, it is imperative that the counselor demonstrates unconditional positive regard for the client. Consequently, when confronted with the counselor's inquiries, clients are able to express their authentic thoughts and feelings with confidence, regardless of their nature, positive or negative. The counselor's role is to provide undivided attention and assistance to the client, regardless of the content of their thoughts.

As a counselor, one must adhere to a set of professional standards. It is unethical to use one's personal values to evaluate the issues a client presents with. While empathizing with the client, it is imperative to maintain objectivity and rationality. Furthermore, counselors are prohibited from engaging in personal interactions with their clients. Consequently, the counselor-client relationship is inherently impersonal. When confronted with the counselor's inquiries, clients are encouraged to be candid and transparent.

Hypnosis is a means to an end. It is not a panacea, and a professional counselor will not use it to control the client. Furthermore, hypnosis is not as simple as it is portrayed in TV dramas. It also requires technical skills, and not all counselors have this ability. Finally, hypnosis is an effective way to help us face our innermost and most honest thoughts.

In regard to perfectionism, it is necessary to alter one's perspective. No individual can be considered truly perfect. There will always be others who excel beyond one's own abilities, and this will continue to be the case. It is sufficient to strive for excellence and to become the best one can be. It is not necessary to strive for superiority in all areas.

Hello, questioner!

After reading your topic, I totally get how you feel! It's like you have so much to say, but you're not sure how to express it in front of the "teacher."

I am also a counselor, and I encounter this situation in counseling all the time. Many clients do have some anxiety and worries when facing regular weekly counseling sessions, but there's no need to worry! I would love to share with you my understanding and views on psychological counseling:

1. Psychological counseling is an amazing process that helps the client see and understand themselves. The relationship between the counselor and the client is equal and cooperative, which makes it a truly special experience.

We affectionately refer to the counselor as "teacher," but in reality, they don't have the authority of a traditional teacher. They're just like you—an ordinary person. Or, you could say, they're just like you—an expert. They're an expert in counseling techniques, and you're an expert in your own life.

Two experts are sitting together, discussing a common topic, and you are the master of this topic, you are in the leading position. So, you might as well replace the term "teacher" with "consultant." This is your time to shine!

2. In the counseling room, you can talk about anything you want! Because the counseling and the content of the counseling process are confidential, there is only the counselor and you in the counseling room.

Absolutely! You can discuss this with your counselor. This includes your expectations of your counselor.

The counselor is ready and waiting to hear from you! You can start off the conversation by asking them how they're feeling or sharing anything you'd like to talk about.

"Or, you can even ask your counselor anything you'd like! Anything at all!"

"When I ask these questions, I start to be afraid and back off." This is precisely the channel through which the counselor can get to know you!

You can also tell the counselor if you don't feel understood. In short, as long as you have bad feelings, you can tell the counselor. As mentioned in the question, the effect is "sometimes good, sometimes not." I'm afraid of saying the bad things, and the other person won't accept me... Such worries are possible, perhaps because your relationship hasn't made you feel safe enough yet. But you can overcome this!

It's so important to respect our own feelings. If you feel unsafe, you can take a deep breath and wait until the perfect moment to discuss this part of the "bad feelings" with the counselor. Or, you can also tell the counselor the part you feel is "bad," because that is your true feeling. Counselors are trained to accept you, so you can rest assured!

3. You'll find the perfect match between you and your counselor! If you feel that this counselor is not the right fit for you, you can request to change counselors.

Otherwise, you might miss out on all the amazing benefits that counseling has to offer! Also, at the beginning of the counseling, you can get to know the counselor. You can find out which technical school he belongs to, which audience he mainly targets, what his counseling experience and duration is, and so much more! Then, you can try to find a counselor who suits you perfectly.

Absolutely! This is your right as a client.

You can coordinate this with your psychological structure, or you can discuss it directly with your counselor. He or she will understand you!

4. The great news is that you can adjust the length of the counseling sessions! If you feel uncomfortable with the current interval between sessions, it just means you're not quite ready for it yet. You can easily adjust the sessions with the organization or counselor in advance to a time that is more comfortable for you.

5. From the last five sessions, you have been inspired to feel a lot of things: fear, nervousness, envy, jealousy, worry, etc. You even wanted to cry many times during the sessions. These are all things you can discuss with your counselor. To be honest, counselors are the people who most want to see their clients show their true selves!

But you have so many feelings! Why not discuss them with your counselor? Maybe this counselor isn't the right fit for you, maybe you haven't established a good relationship, you don't feel safe, and there may be many other factors... Anyway, to make counseling more effective, you need to discuss this with your counselor!

Psychological counseling is the absolute fastest way to understand yourself! A counselor will act as a mirror, reflecting the way you really are. I really hope that what I have shared is helpful to you!

I wish you all the best! Have an amazing day!

Good morning,

Your statements have prompted me to reflect on my own feelings. I am curious as to why you place such importance on other people's emotions. Could you please elaborate on the specific emotions you wish to discuss with the counselor? I am also interested in understanding why you feel hesitant to express your true feelings when discussing challenges.

Are you concerned that the counselor will be unhappy and treat you poorly?

Counseling is a valuable tool for addressing and resolving issues.

I believe you have the courage to seek counseling to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. You are investing time and resources to address challenges. Best regards,

I am unsure why you feel so strongly about this. "I'm afraid to express my true feelings." This is a defense mechanism. Perhaps the feelings this counselor gives you remind you of someone who used to give you a sense of oppression. Or maybe this counselor himself makes you feel insecure, and you haven't fully trusted him yet, so you don't want to open up. However, we come to the counseling room for help, and we want to understand ourselves and solve our problems. If you can't let go of your defense mechanism and choose to trust him, this counselor won't be able to enter your defense mechanism, and work with you to see, identify, and solve the problem.

Regarding the expression of feelings

You may inform the other party that you are hesitant and fearful, and that you are unsure how to express your feelings. You may also indicate that you feel oppressed and that you do not believe this environment is safe. You may then state that, although you have asked for this information, you are not willing to provide it.

The first thing you need to work out together is how to communicate effectively, build trust, be willing to express more, and communicate more. Otherwise, you'll just be wasting each other's time with minimal practical effect.

It is important to respect your own feelings and to communicate them clearly if you are uncomfortable.

It is acceptable to disagree with your counselor. I appreciate the opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue. The counselor recommended reading the book, which I had already done, but found it difficult to engage with. The counselor advised me to respect my own feelings and pursue other activities that bring me joy.

Bao, expressing your true feelings will not cause harm or discomfort to others. It is, in fact, a way to take responsibility for yourself and others. If you do not express your feelings, you may cause the other person to deviate further from the optimal path to solving the problem.

How might one gradually develop the fortitude to articulate one's sentiments?

1. Learn to differentiate between issues and establish effective boundaries.

It is a matter of performing tasks that others are capable of doing themselves or that they can request assistance with. Their issue is that they can request assistance but may face the risk of rejection alone. Each of us has the freedom to decide whether or not to provide help to others. This is an individual choice, not a reflection of the capabilities of others. We always have the power to choose.

I recommend the book "Self-Boundaries," which contains numerous examples similar to those previously discussed.

2. Regardless of our actions, there will always be individuals in this world who hold negative sentiments towards us. How can we achieve personal peace and a fulfilling life?

It is important to have the courage to accept that, no matter what we do, there will always be people in this world who think badly of us. It is therefore essential to take into account the feelings of other people. The question is, how do we have the courage to be hated? This is addressed in the book "The Courage to Be Hated."

I hope my response is of assistance to you. Best regards, [Name]

In counseling, it is not feasible to engage in a detailed discussion about one's genuine emotions with the counselor. However, the authentic feelings associated with fear, anxiety, withdrawal, tension, envy, jealousy, and the urge to cry during counseling can be effectively expressed in this setting.

The client's feelings are complex and multifaceted, yet discernible. It is evident that the client is not devoid of feelings but may experience difficulty in articulating them within the consulting room.

When faced with an authoritative and formidable professional, familiar feelings and practices are once again replicated from life into the counseling room.

The feelings that emerge from the counseling session cannot be expressed in the counseling session. However, they change spaces and still flow out. Firstly, it is evident that these feelings are so real and powerful that the space of the counseling session cannot contain them. They are like a flood that has broken through the dam and is surging outward. Secondly, it is also apparent that the relationship between the client and the counselor in the counseling session is facing a significant challenge. This also indicates that an opportunity for counseling is imminent.

The client-counselor relationship is a microcosm of social relationships. In particular, if the client is undergoing psychoanalytic counseling, there will be more projection, empathy, and counterempathy from the client's original social relationships.

The client-counselor relationship is a microcosm of social relationships. In particular, if the client is undergoing psychoanalytic counseling, there will be more projection, empathy, and counterempathy from the client's original social relationships.

The counseling room is a microcosm of social relationships, and thus everything that happens there is also a reenactment of a scene from the client's life.

It should be noted that the textual discussions here are not a viable source of support. The feedback is akin to an invisible questioner borrowing another complex and comprehensive relationship to balance the relationship between you and the counselor, forming a temporarily stable but hindering growth of the questioner's triangular relationship.

It is only by taking these feelings back to the counseling room and discussing them with the counselor that a breakthrough can be made in the questioner's issue. The questioner should not bear the burden of whether the counselor can handle it; this is a test of the counselor's professional ability.

One of the most significant challenges in modern communication is the lack of knowledge regarding effective communication strategies, particularly in terms of initiating conversations and reclaiming conversations. If the counselor has not identified this need, it is advisable to document your genuine sentiments, as you have done here.

If even communicating with the counselor in writing is a cause for concern, you can begin by writing part of it and observing the counselor's response.

One of the key objectives of counseling is to utilize the counseling relationship to reshape the client's understanding and perception of relationships, even in the presence of potential dissatisfaction and concerns. It is important to recognize that no relationship is without challenges. The focus is on exploring strategies to repair and enhance relationships through counseling, with the aim of achieving tangible results and meeting the desired counseling outcomes.

Your decision to utilize counseling as a means of facilitating self-growth and self-healing is a courageous one. It requires a willingness to confront one's own challenges and embark on a journey of personal development. As you continue this journey, it is essential to recognize that the ship of self-growth has already set sail. This implies that you have already taken the first step towards a more fulfilling and authentic life. However, to fully realize this potential, it is crucial to embrace a more courageous approach. This entails raising the sails on the ship of self-growth to allow for a deeper expression of your inner feelings.

In the event of unforeseen circumstances, it is important to remember the adage that relationships are a two-way street. Each individual bears responsibility for their own actions and decisions, while external factors may influence the direction of the relationship. It is crucial to recognize that the failure of a relationship is not solely the responsibility of one party.

I am not probing human nature, but rather offering my expertise as a therapist who cares about the human heart. I wish you well.

Hello!

I understand your problem and your anxiety. You care about the counselor's feelings and worry that your answers won't meet their expectations. This shows you're kind.

Thank you for your kindness, but we come to counseling to solve our own problems.

The counselor will fully project themselves onto the visitor during the counseling process.

If you have feelings, speak up. If you don't, you can still speak the truth.

If we don't take care of the counselor's feelings, our counseling may not be effective.

I can see that the questioner is afraid of exposing their feelings, but I can tell you that when we counselors are hired, we learn about ethics. We will keep what you tell us confidential, except when it harms you or others.

This also reassures the questioner that the counselor can solve the problem.

In his book, "Change Starts in the Heart," Roy Martina, the world's top body-mind healing master, talks about "emotional whipping."

Emotional whipping is an emotion stuck in our subconscious mind. It is like a blockage in our body, which then affects our physical health.

The questioner should not be emotionally affected by such things.

I hope my answer helps. I hope the questioner gets over their confusion soon.

Thank you. I'm Jiusi from Yixinli, World and I Love You.