C

IS COUNSELLING FOR ME?

Have you ever cast your eye over the Care Network Newsletter and thought you might just tick the box asking for more information on counselling (just out of curiosity of course!), hesitated, and then put the form away with other things marked "to do when I have the energy".

You then come across it again a few days later, along with all the other stuff you've been putting off - muse over it, coming to the conclusion that "who on earth would want to spend time listening to you" - convince yourself that there are so many more people out there worse off than you, and discard it!!

Well don't! Get through that barrier of thinking that you are not worth it. Tick the box, muster up the nerve to make that first appointment and go along.

I did, and I found the experience very worthwhile. There is no doubt it is challenging. You take along with you all your anxieties, and in many cases the feelings of loneliness, exhaustion and frustration and even more scary those feelings of guilt all carers have experienced just because they do actually have negative thoughts!

By being encouraged to talk in safe, confidential and caring surroundings, it is possible to accept and confront those very understandable dilemmas and difficulties associated with our roles as carers.

To be able to support the ones we love so much, our well-being is vital. I shall never meet up to those superhuman goals I set myself, but the first step to a much more realistic and positive future has been to realise that my feelings are absolutely normal and worth an airing!

Do take advantage of this very valuable service offered by the Care Network. You will not regret it.

A Carer