does every 1 need counseling and how do u no if u do

[nick_01]

[iforget]

Not everyone necessarily needs or wants counselling...it is very much a matter of individual need/choice. Some people find ways to cope with the changes brain injury brings and others find they need some help to work through some issues. It can also be a matter of timing too...

I was offered counselling about a year and half after my injury ...which was around the point the medical team sort of admitted that this was probably as good as it was going to get and that I needed to find ways to come to terms with that and "go off and live a simple and happy life" (They actually said the words in quotation marks...I was stunned and had no idea how I was supposed to do that when I didn't really know what a simple and happy life was or how I was expected to live it)

What was offered at the time by way of counselling was totally unsuitable and after a few weeks it became clear that the counsellor was simply not equipped to cope with someone with my level of memory issues and they and I agreed to give it up as a bad job...An alternative was supposed to be offered but never materialised and then a couple of years ago my local Headway offered group counselling and I went on the course sessions and found them really useful.

If you think you might benefit form counselling it is really worth speaking with your GP or anyone connected to your treatment and well being. They can talk you through the options and then you can make an informed choice about whether this might help. It is usual to go for an assessment meeting which gives you a chance to find out what is on offer and to meet with the counsellor and decide if its right for you right now (sometimes the timing just isn't right but may be later) and if the two of you can work together...or you could contact Headway and see if your local group offers counselling services...some do.

Hope that helps a little?

[ncmurphy1951]

anyone who suffers a brain injury would benefit from a few session with a neuro phycologist as with all things one take out what you put it i found it very helpful learning how the brain reacts to certain situations after a brain injury as well as sessions can be an early warning device about certain behavourial patterns that will occour the one that sticks in my mind i never acted upon was after a brain injury one is far to trusting if i had acted upon that advice i wouldnt have had £2000 stolen from me by 5 different people i trusted