[lilolil]

Hi there
I recently started looking into counselling as a part time course. I had wanted to do psychology in university but didn't choose it when I went to uni first.

I am adopted and recently been diagnosed with a low grade chronic depression (Adandonment issues and feeling down a lot) Many ppl have told me i've too many issues to take on anyone elses. But I like working with ppl and caring for ppl. I think it's more important that i'm an extremely understanding person, because i shouldn't take on their problems anyway.


Has anyone any opinions on this? I'm planning on putting off a counselling evening course for another year and half at least to give me plenty of time to research it and make the right decision.

Thanks for ur comments.

[calee]

Yep-you sure can....

We ALL have issues. The healthiest people are those that realize they have issues and deal with them. I had an eating disorder and depression and became a counselor myself. Check it out-take some courses-see if it seems right for you.

[belleinblue1978]

Yes, I'm a counselor.

[lilolil]

Ok - maybe it's not so much the adoption thing but more the depression thing that I think can hinder me helpoing other ppl. The bottom line is I love to help ppl and want to help ppl as much as I can. But other ppl in my life think that if I've got issues myself I couldn't possibly take on other ppl's issues.
Any thoughts?

[LMNGambino]

Originally Posted by lilolil

Ok - maybe it's not so much the adoption thing but more the depression thing that I think can hinder me helpoing other ppl. The bottom line is I love to help ppl and want to help ppl as much as I can. But other ppl in my life think that if I've got issues myself I couldn't possibly take on other ppl's issues.
Any thoughts?

Everyone has issues. Who better to talk with someone about issues- a person who has "none" (yeah right) or someone who honestly addresses their issues and takes steps to help themselves and others?
I choose the latter.

[MamaS]

My oldest is finishing her Master's in counseling. In fact, she plans to specialize in adoption counseling/attachment therapy. Your status as an adoptee gives you "street credit" and probably a special empathy to the situation.
As for the depression -- show me someone who isn't depressed about something these days! If you recognize that you have depression, then you are half-way to getting past it!

[belleinblue1978]

Originally Posted by lilolil

Ok - maybe it's not so much the adoption thing but more the depression thing that I think can hinder me helpoing other ppl. The bottom line is I love to help ppl and want to help ppl as much as I can. But other ppl in my life think that if I've got issues myself I couldn't possibly take on other ppl's issues.
Any thoughts?

I am dx'd with bi polar disorder.

[Alli_Driscoll]

I may be bummed about some things, but I'm not depressed. Let's not trivialize true depression by equating it with being bummed.

To the OP, if you are taking the necessary steps to deal with your depression, I don't see any reason why you couldn't be a counselor. I think being an adoptee and experiencing depression would give you a lot of insight to how people feel. Good luck in your journey.

Originally Posted by MamaS

As for the depression -- show me someone who isn't depressed about something these days!

[mariakw]

Hi Lindsay. I'm an adult adoptee and am currently working on doctorate in counseling psychology. I myself have struggled with depression and feelings of abandonment in the past. Even now the fear of abandonment still sometimes crops up in my interpersonal relationships. However, I've been in counseling to help me resolve these issues. In fact, I will probably periodically see a counselor throughout my life since it's important for mental health professionals to be as mentally healthy as they can be. But anyway, my point is that I agree with Alli_Driscoll. If you get counseling for yourself and get yourself to a healthy point, there's no reason why you couldn't help others. In fact your own struggles will help you empathize with what your clients go through. -- Maria

[cksmom]

absolutely! In fact, specializing in adoption related issues would give you even more credibility since you are a member of the triad. I would rather see a therapist or counselor with first hand experience personally.