POZ Community Forums
Main Forums => Living With HIV => Topic started by: AdonisSMU on February 21, 2012, 11:43:43 am
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Where can I find a counselor or shrink so I can dump on them... and they can help me move past whatever mental issues I have that I am currently in denial about.
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No help at all...
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Adonis, you have to realize that there are many factors that go into someone being able to offer advice to you on the particular situation which you asked about.
Most importantly, whether you have insurance would be paramount as I don't know any many mental health care practitioners who are gonna treat you for free. For that matter, just keep posting here and everyone will be more than happy to post their 0.2 worth.
Next, which borough you live in because I'm sure you don't want to be schlepping to the BX if you live in Brooklyn, even if the recommendation might be for someone who might be the cat's ass for the person suggesting them.
Lastly, you do realize that therapy is not a one size fit all scenario and that you will have to put forth the effort to find someone with whom you feel you will be able to develop a decent relationship where you are comfortable enough to dump on them.
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First of all, I'm not sure what the goal here is when you begin with the need to "dump" on someone. Why are you seeking this route as opposed to, oh -- going to a real life support group? Have you tried going to Friends in Deed which has both large and small size support groups? They also have one-on-one counseling.
Otherwise, if you really want the psychiatry route like Solo_LTS states there are too many variables (insurance, location) to make a suggestion. I think I would start with a discussion of your needs/concernes with your HIV doctor and he should be able to give you a referral.
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Adonis, based upon some of the other things that you've posted, it seems (or at least to me) you now feel that you are being judged by gay men more so now that you're poz, is that correct? I also get the impression that you're having trouble with guys approaching you who want to bareback because of your status, which is something that comes along with the territory of being poz.
Philicia offered some sage advice to you and I honestly would look into checking into a support group (http://www.friendsindeed.org/) where you can go and be among others who might be facing the same issues which are troubling you. And asking for a referral from your current doc is something you should be considering, as well. Otherwise these issues are going to eat you up, just based upon the way that you're posting --- it's quite obvious you need to work through these things.
I have trouble walking up to people in the gay HIV gathering at the Ritz in NYC. I get shy and don't know what to say or how to strike up a conversation out of nothing. I get nervous worrying about what someone is thinking etc... I usually am not as nervous around certain friends.
LMAO! I know intellectually it's not but sometimes in practice I chicken out. It's much easier for me to walk up to straight people and strike up a conversation. I'm always nervous I'm being judged when I'm around the gheys!
I was always the one who didn't care so long as I liked the guy and we were sexually compatible. Dating is so awkward for me now. NYC guys think that you having HIV is a license for them to fuck you without a condom and they get mad if you don't want to do it with them. I got yelled at and called all kinds of nasty names because I didn't want to go unprotected with him. I'm getting scared to date or have sex with anybody.
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Yeah these are some good ideas. I will look into a group situation before getting a 1 on 1.