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Recieving counselling

Cinnabar_wing

I was just wanting to ask advice from people who have recieved counselling/therapy etc. 
How do you know if you might have hit a wall with it and if it's worth doing anymore?

For background, I've had 4 session with a counsellor since October, whom I got on her waiting list just before I decided to go ahead with my ASD assessment. Before I started I told her about being in the middle of being assessed so she knew my situation from that I had previously stated.

My last appointment with her, I told her I had been confirmed with ASD, and she got very concerned I don't over research and fall into developing 'new traits' just because I read about them.  I understand her concern as I had heard about some people getting post-diagnosis skills loss, but I don't have time for any of that and am a little scared of unmasking anyway as I saw what I was when I did the assessment and I don't think anyone wants me to be that.

I've booked an appointment with her for after christmas as I was too busy before, but now I don't know what to say next time? She asked some questions to satisfy herself at the start about why I thought I was autistic, but I've been more dealing with the other baggage like childhood bullying and work anxiety, and not so much the ASD problems I face.

Now I don't know if I should hide that side as I don't think she wants to know as she's concerned about me throwing everything away I think? Is this what it's like talking to people? Trying to open up was so hard, now it feels it's better to seal it all away again? Or is this something that has to be worked through?

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  • My unprofessional opinion? You should look for a counselor that specializes in Autism. By what you’re saying, I think  nailed it by responding:

    TheCatWoman said:
    it might be that she's not confident in her skills in dealing with ND?

    That’s what it sounds like to me. Yeah, skills regression is a thing and is definitely something you should be careful about, but just assuming that you will get that by looking more into your own confirmed diagnosis is kind of ridiculous (imo).

    The best therapy I ever got was with an art therapist who specialized in childhood Autism. Yeah, she wasn’t as used to working with ND adults, but she was willing to learn along with me what my diagnosis meant. I personally believe you should look for a counselor that specializes in neurodiversity, rather than try to ignore your ASD problems in sessions.

  • in reply to profdanger

    Yeah, I think because I haven't mentioned all my issues, I don't want her to think I am making them up, so maybe if I am clear these aren't regressions but just things I hadn't spoken about yet it will help. If I then feel it is causing a barrier, then I could think about alternatives.

    Oh art therapy sounds wonderful, I love art (the biggest longest interest I've had). I love drawing/painting, but I think I also stim draw too -when I am turbulent inside, I grab an old envelope or scrap of paper and start just drawing abstract lines, patterns, repeated graphics. I know America is different, but how did you find out who does that? Do you just search for art therapy and does it have to be for ND's/is it group based?

  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

    Okay so in America NORMALLY you have to search for it and hope that it is covered by your health insurance lol. I say “normally,” because in my case for this particular therapy it was weird. My daughter’s school got a grant to help pay for families to get therapy, so we jumped on that and they found the therapist for me. I just lucked out that it was an awesome fit and was paid for by the school. Otherwise, my insurance would not have covered it.

    I think it can be group based, but the one I had was individual.

    Cinnabar_wing said:
    I grab an old envelope or scrap of paper and start just drawing abstract lines, patterns, repeated graphics.

    Oh yeah, it sounds like art therapy would be absolutely perfect for you!

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  • in reply to Cinnabar_wing

    Okay so in America NORMALLY you have to search for it and hope that it is covered by your health insurance lol. I say “normally,” because in my case for this particular therapy it was weird. My daughter’s school got a grant to help pay for families to get therapy, so we jumped on that and they found the therapist for me. I just lucked out that it was an awesome fit and was paid for by the school. Otherwise, my insurance would not have covered it.

    I think it can be group based, but the one I had was individual.

    Cinnabar_wing said:
    I grab an old envelope or scrap of paper and start just drawing abstract lines, patterns, repeated graphics.

    Oh yeah, it sounds like art therapy would be absolutely perfect for you!

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