Counselor Not Cutting It

[LaDita]

Yesterday was my sixth visit with my counselor (first one in two years).
After our last visit I could tell that she wasn't a good fit. Today really solidified that, after I did all the talking and she just sort of sighed and went "Huh" every few minutes and stared at the ground or looking out the window. She's not that much older than I, and I think she might actually be a student whose working towards her degree and I have a problem with that. I feel sort of like I'm going in to the school counselor just checking in with my day-to-day issues and not really getting to the core of anything and it's starting to feel unnecessary.
This is at a state-funded clinic that caters to low-income and seriously mentally ill folks, right now I can't really afford anything else. I was told by the director there that I don't really have any other options there besides her or a male counselor (which I refuse).
I'm reluctant to try to find a new counselor, and part of me is afraid to tell her it's not working out and not looking forward to the process of shopping around again. Then part of me tells me that I don't need counseling and that life just sucks sometimes and I should just deal with it on my own like many people do.
So far SR seems to be really helping alot. I want to wait a few more sessions until I make my final decision or am I just delaying what could be something more meaningful and that works.
I also don't know what my main issue is that needs help; chemical dependency? Anxiety? Past Trauma? Daily life? Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems finding a counselor who specializes in all of those things at once, as well as clicking with them, would be really hard to come by.

Thanks for letting me get this out.

[adore79]

Originally Posted by LaDita

I also don't know what my main issue is that needs help; chemical dependency? Anxiety? Past Trauma? Daily life? Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems finding a counselor who specializes in all of those things at once, as well as clicking with them, would be really hard to come by.

Thanks for letting me get this out.

Ive found that therapists will go one of two ways:

1. Focusing on the past in order to improve things like negative thinking/behavior etc...

2. Dont care much about the past but only want to focus on how to deal with what is going on in my life right now.

I would love to find someone who could do both at the same time and make it effective, maybe someone like that exists out there?

Since you are limited in options, I would just tell her what YOU want help on, and ask her what her opionion is. Im sure you know that listening to you and helping you is her job, and if she is competent at all she will WANT to know your feedback about how good of a job she is doing. She should be asking you every once in a while if you think the sessions are working and going in the right direction.

Good luck honey, you never know, she might turn out to be really good, or you may have to find someone else. It is your health, you have the right to medical help, and if they dont provide, then do what you must to get it.

Its very good BTW that you are seeking help, good for you!

[KITTYCAT12]

i think you should tell her how you feel. if you do tell her what's the worst that could happen. i doubt that it can get any worse than it already is, so just be bold. ur not going to hurt her feelings.

[MROBI]

its important to be a good match i feel bad for ya. i hope you get a better 1