Councellors' reaction

[tom]

Hi. I was wondering who has told a councellor/ therapist about their infantalism, and how they reacted to this. Were they kind and accepting or a a tad freaked out? Had they heard of it previously? Also, does anybody have any suggestions on the best way to tell them? Thanks.

[Error404]

Originally Posted by tom

Hi. I was wondering who has told a councellor/ therapist about their infantalism, and how they reacted to this. Were they kind and accepting or a a tad freaked out? Had they heard of it previously? Also, does anybody have any suggestions on the best way to tell them? Thanks.

#

Well, this may not be what you're looking for, but my dad discussed it with his therapist after I told my parents, she enforced that it was rare but healthy and that he should be grateful because I could be out there doing drugs and being a public thug.

Yes, she settled my dad into the idea. Moms still awkward about it though.

[mzkkbprmt]

Well, I haven't told any of them, but I do have to go to a shrink for it (damnable parents). He hadn't heard about it but I think he realises that it isn't something he can just get rid of like my parents want.

As for telling a councillor or therapist, just try to explain it clearly. They are confidential and even if they don't know about *BDL they are gonna have heard plenty of weird things in their time, and if they think it is they'll never show it. There profession is giving a willing ear and advice and not judging people on their problems. Out of all the people you can tell a councillor is the one you are allowed to be surprised if they show that they are.

They'll always be kind about it. Perhaps they won't understand it but they won't be rude or cruel over it, after all it is there livelihood on the line if they are and lose their job over it. For the time you are talking to them, a therapist is there for you. Just try not to worry about telling them - they are there for you to talk to, for heaven's sake.

If you are desperate to tell someone, a therapist is the right way to go. They aren't related or anything so they won't have the emotional baggage of family and friends. They are used to people talking to them about all manner of things.

Oh and Error404, can you get me that therapist, my parents need to talk to her.

[lilbabymikey]

I have a long history that I won't bore you with now. But I want to tell you that most therapists, in my experience have not encountered infantilism and usually didn't know what to make of it. Psychiatrists seemed baffled even though they might have had an idea of what it was. Usually they thought it was a small thing I would grow out of. They were mistaken about that in my case.

I suggest you go to understanding infantilism website by Bittergrey and read all you can there so when you talk to a counselor about it, you'll be fortified with real information. Therapists and counselors can be very helpful, but not always. Whatever you do try not to put yourself in harms way.

Love.

[Abigail]

Eh, I go see a psychiatrist every once in a while. Really when I feel like I need to make an appt. My mom is a psych nurse, and when I tried committing suicide a couple years ago, she pulled some strings so I wasn't admitted to the psych floor, but she wanted to make sure I was alright, so she sent me to him. I only saw him a few times, I think 3 over the past 2 and a half years. We talk about Harry Potter. I've thought of telling him, just for kicks, but he's like, friends with my mom, and works with her, so I dunno if he will tell her or not. By law he isn't allowed, but you never know.

[tom]

Its not so much that I want to tell her, its just I think it could offer some answers to some problems I have. I can't decide wether to tell her or not. She's really friendly, and I'm sure she wouldn't be horrible, but I just hate to think that her opinion of me would change. I'm afraid she'l misunderstand it, and take me for a horrible person. Also, like you say, by law, everything I say to her has to be confidential, but there's always that chance of someone else finding out.

[Dethklok_still_rules]

I told a therapist. Honestly, he was a little surprised. He kept pressing me on it. I'm pretty introspective though, so it's not like I need any therapy to help me get over myself. It's the other people I can't understand. He said I didn't have to talk about it, since I seemed to have the sexual aspect of my life sorted out already.

[Fire2box]

I told 3 different ones out of the handfuls I had they kept moving to better jobs right when I was warming up to them.

Anyways the 3 I told never heard of it before from other patients, other therapists or text books. So I pretty much had to explain it to them, anyways at least now they will know. I am pretty sure if they talk to any other kid in this stuff they will talk about how "normal" I was. Anyways after I told one of them the next session of ours was held in what I would call the play room. I was like "Umm, no.. even if I am a teen baby that doesn't mean I want to have our sessions with all this crap around."

That guy was also a major geek. He's the only therapist I ever seen to play Magic the gathering and know star wars inside and out. Crappy thing was I was into yu-gi-oh so our trading card games did not go together.

Also I suggest anyone should tell their therapist since they legally can't tell anyone else about what is talked about in your sessions. Also I don't think they will past judgment on it since if anyone can see that it can't harm anyone it's them and us.

[Error404]

Originally Posted by tom

Its not so much that I want to tell her, its just I think it could offer some answers to some problems I have. I can't decide wether to tell her or not. She's really friendly, and I'm sure she wouldn't be horrible, but I just hate to think that her opinion of me would change. I'm afraid she'l misunderstand it, and take me for a horrible person. Also, like you say, by law, everything I say to her has to be confidential, but there's always that chance of someone else finding out.

Under the majority of laws.

Counsellors/Therapists may only divulge information about you under the following circumstances:

You express the wish to kill yourself past normal depression and you are below 18.
You express the wish/urge to kill others beyond natural anger (Such as planning)
You are self harming and below 18.
The element you discuss could have a solid bad impact upon yourself, others and/or society.
You show behaviour that is not only dangerous to yourself but others as well.

Granted, like most laws, the above are hazy in their definitions, thus where a therapist draws the line at 'past normality' or 'dangerous' varies from person to person, but I hope that helps you.

Oh, I also forgot one of the other legal divulgence laws - When the information you tell is of a major criminal nature, like confession to murder or rape. Even priests may divulge such information after a confession.

[stanfordhawks]

Counsellors/Therapists may only divulge information about you under the following circumstances:

You express the wish to kill yourself past normal depression and you are below 18.
You express the wish/urge to kill others beyond natural anger (Such as planning)
You are self harming and below 18.
The element you discuss could have a solid bad impact upon yourself, others and/or society.
You show behaviour that is not only dangerous to yourself but others as well.

This is called hipaa laws. It is patient doctor confidentially.

HIPAA |ˈhipˌô|
abbreviation
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a 1996 Federal law that restricts access to individuals' private medical information