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Umm I saw a psychologist as a teen (very unhelpful), and DH and I have sought counseling through a pastor/friend at church. It was more like a chat over lunch though & not like "sessions".

ETA: We did per-marital counseling with our pastor... It wasn't because of issues though.

My DH and I got pre-marital counseling a few months before our wedding.

We met with someone four times (an each session was an hour).

Honestly, it was the best thing we ever did for our relationship. It really changed DH. I was surprised, but he took everything that was said to heart and improved the way he treated me and our relationship.

I would totally do it again if we hit a rough patch!

I'm a therapist, and have been in therapy on and off since I was a child. I began again about half way through my pregnancy to deal with anxiety issues, and will be going back in a few weeks for at least a few sessions.

I think therapy is extremely valuable (obviously, I guess) and recommend it to people all the time. Maybe it's just the folks in my circle, but I'm more surprised when someone hasn't ever been in therapy!

I saw someone a couple of times after my father passed away. It was nice to have someone listen without feeling awkward and trying to "fix it." I wish though that I had chatted with her more first about how things work. I guess I expected to get more feedback, questions and ideas from her and she really just listened and occasionally asked if I wanted to talk more about a certain point. I do better when people spell out what is going to happen and I stopped after a few sessions because I couldn't figure out the point.

I haven't, but I have considered it for my anxiety.

I have been seeing someone to work through issues with my parents.

Eta: it's very helpful and eye opening and she has helped me choose actions that create less stress in my life.

I first started seeing a counselor when I was 11 or 12 for anxiety and depression. I started going again when I was 15 for major depression issues, and saw that psychologist throughout high school. I also went for a few sessions in college after a terrible breakup.

I highly recommend going to counseling if you are interested. It's helped me immensely at different points in my life. One thing to remember, though--you might need to meet with a few different people to find someone whose style you click with. Be patient and don't give up!

I've been seeing a therapist off and on for almost 10 years. I struggle with anxiety and have depression related to my many medical problems. My husband and I have seen a marriage counselor as well.

I have no problems admitting I've been in and out of therapy and allude to it from time to time when talking to others. I see it as something helpful that most people could benefit from. Sadly there is still a stigma about talking about mental health in our society. If my mentioning it can help some one else decide that it's ok, normal eve, to do, then great!

As an aside, I do find it interesting that more often than not, when someone brings up a "hush hush" less talked about medical or mental health problem, it is amazing to find out the number of people around you that have often struggled with similar issues. It's always nice to know you're not alone.

DH and I went to pre marital counseling for a few months.

I've been a bunch of times during the last 10 years, mostly relating to anxiety issues...I find therapy very helpful and have no shame about it!

I went to therapy for ppd. I didn't find it all that helpful though, tbh.

ETA I do think it is helpful in general though. I was just SO anxious and depressed nothing really got me out of it except time. It did help me somewhat though.

When I was 16 I started seeing a counselor for severe depression. I don't regret it a bit - she helped me SO much! She was easy to talk to and really communicated and listened to me. She helped me focus on the positive aspects of my life instead of my negative feelings and learn how to cope and surrender that dark part of myself every day and choose happiness for my life. She helped bring a lot of healing to my life and to this day I believe my (genetic) depression has remained manageable without meds because of her help.

I would definitely be willing to go to counseling again if I felt I needed it or would benefit! I actually thoroughly enjoyed my sessions.

DH and I also did a very laid-back pre-marital counseling series that was required for us to be married by my pastor. We also enjoyed those sessions, I think we met 6 times for an hour each.

I used to go when I was a kid; I had some mildly self-destructive behaviors as a result of anxiety over my parents' divorce.

I REALLY want to start going again. I think both DH and I could use it. We were in a rough patch a few weeks ago and seem to be coming out of it, but mostly it doesn't have to do with our relationship, but instead factors that we're working on-- career, work/life balance, etc. I think marital counseling or career counseling would be awesome for both of us.

@Mrs. Pen: Have any suggestions for finding a good one? Sounds like yours worked wonders!

Never. I'm always surprised when I hear there are people who go regularly.

I can't see myself ever going willingly! Despite the fact that I know I have mountains of issues, and I've suffered from (self diagnosed) depression since I was a teen, something would have to get really bad and someone would probably have to make me go.

The exception I think would be couples counselling. If DH and i were going through a rough patch is the only time I can see myself being proactive about any sort of counselling

I never have, but I would go in a minute if I was suffering from anxiety etc. I've seen how things like that can spiral out of control without help. Same with marriage counselling.

I consider myself a very healthy person but I've seen a therapist for about six years and its great. Therapy doesn't have to be about a crisis- to me therapy is about expanding your toolbox of coping mechanisms. I believe very strongly that I have a healthy relationship with my family and a happy marriage because I've learned how to listen and how to advocate for myself in a respectful way.

Yeah...I had to talk to someone when I was in high school for eating issues. Then recently talked to the psychologist at the fertility place, and had weekly phone appointments with her. I stopped though bc I just didn't feel like she was really helping. She's was very soft spoken and I kinda feel like she just thought I was fine and a bit of an over reactor. I dunno...

Yup. I saw a therapist after I was raped, 11 years ago. I went to one immediately after, and she asked me what I was wearing, so....yeah, didn't go back to her! A few months later I started having panic attacks, so I went to another counselor at the university counseling center. She was amazing and it helped me so much!

@MrsTiz: wow... was she even a licensed therapist?! BY LAW (and I know this now from working in a clinic!) a patient's medical records are always confidential even as a minor. Parents are allowed to view complete records until a child is 12, then it is severely limited. For things such as a teen seeing an OBGYN or psychologist/therapist those are created under what we call "confidential accounts" meaning NO ONE other than the patient is allowed access to that account. It's part of what makes my job challenging, there are a lot of rules.

Anyway - if a teen was seeing a psychologist, unless the child signed a form giving medical professionals permission to relay info to parents, it is against the law to disclose any medical information including that they even had an appointment.

I'm sorry your experience was so negative it shouldn't be like that.