Louise Stroud
About this experience
Posted on: 11-Nov-01
by: LULU
Current rating: 
(35 votes)
LULU says:
I originally attended counselling because I was training to be a counsellor and this was a compulsary part of the course. I was aware that I had a few problems in my life, but was able to push them aside and live behind a mask of false confidence. I had suffered bouts of depression,no doubt caused by me supressing my real feelings of anger and despair, as well as self doubt, lack of self esteem and occasional panic attacks. During my counselling training these symptoms became a lot worse and I despaired of ever finishing the course. Through therapy with my Humanistic counsellor, I realised that I had not been admitting my true feelings, even to myself and I could no longer maintain this facade. I have now unravelled some of the reasons for these feelings, which originate partly from negative school experiences and partly from parental messages. The important thing is that I now know that I don't have to pretend to be what I am not, but more importantly , I am an adult and can decide my own destiny. Although I still get times when I feel overwhelmed by lack of confidence, I at least know why this is and have the tools at my disposal to help me build a new, more positive view of myself.
