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I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | Well, it's generally okay to feel anxious or nervous about going into therapy, particularly in the beginning because the process of being open about what you are going through, much less to someone who you don't know well, can be anxiety-producing. It's also common to feel anxious when you are discussing something that... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm always listening to my husband, but it feels like he never listens to me.
How do I get my husband to listen to me instead of me listening to him all the time? | Thanks for writing. There are many different house of things that may be helpful here. I can give you some general ideas, but if some of these things don't get you to where you would like to go, consider seeing a therapist who specializes in couples:Remember that you can only guarantee change in yourself. You can ask h... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | For some people it's absolutely normal to feel nervous about coming to therapy. It's sometimes hard to share our emotions and feelings with someone --- no matter how warm and caring the therapist is. Are you comfortable with your therapist? Is it a good relational fit? Maybe this is a good thing to discuss ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm obsessing about a terrible breakup. Everything is a constant reminder. How do I move on? | Breaking up can be a very difficult thing. I'm sorry you're feeling badly. The first thing is to be really sure you are taking care of yourself --- that means eating well, exercising, getting good sleep, spending time with friends/family and making sure you are taking care of important things like work, rent, bills... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm very depressed. How do I find someone to talk to? | Sorry to hear you are feeling that way. Is there a 24-hour helpline where you are that you can call? Here is a website with some numbers to call: https://psychcentral.com/lib/common-hotline-phone-numbers/ You could talk to your family doctor and they could help you find a therapist? You could also use this... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
Every winter I find myself getting sad because of the weather. How can I fight this? | Change your total daily routine, different route, different lunch, different afternoon. Sit outside for 10 minutes three times every day, use a therapy light during the day, aroma-therapy oils for stimulation, but....keep your routine bedtimes and wake up times......and exercise at least 3 times per week, if after se... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I just don't know what I want in life anymore. I'm can't figure out what it is that is keeping me distracted and unfocused. I can't put things into perspective at all. I'm just stuck, and I'm disappointed with my lack of accomplishments. | Thank you for sharing! It can be very disorienting not to know what you want and where you are headed. Sometimes we are so focused on something we haven't achieved yet or on comparing ourselves to others that we lose touch with what we actually want and need. At times like this, it's important to go back to basics. Try... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm always listening to my husband, but it feels like he never listens to me.
How do I get my husband to listen to me instead of me listening to him all the time? | Unfortunately you can't directly change another person's behavior. However, you can give him feedback on how his not listening impacts you. The best way to provide feedback is in 3 parts. The first part is telling him the emotion you are experiencing when he doesn't listen, such as hurt, sad, and unloved. I would stay ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
If I tell him I don't like certain things, he does when it pertains to me. He tells me it's not like that. He never has anything to say about me until I tell him something about himself. | It sounds like there are issues with communication between you and your husband. Your perceptions of interactions that you are having don't sound like they match up. It would probably be helpful for you both to work on communicating using "I" statements (I feel----when you---). This is a more effective way of commun... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | If you have only been to a couple of sessions, it makes sense that you might still feel apprehensive at first. Therapy is hard work! You may be talking about some things that you never talked to anyone about before. Opening up to stranger can be scary. After you feel comfortable with your counselor, and trust has built... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm in my mid 20s with a husband and children. I love my family, but I feel like I've lost my identity, and I don't know who I am other than a mom and wife. At times, all I can think is what I gave up and how I feel unhappy and trapped, but I know I'd feel like worse without them. I loathe myself at times. I have an am... | It is not easy being a wife and mother. You have shifted roles in your life. You went from having a career to focusing on your family. Transitioning can be hard, especially when we feel we gave something up that we really wanted. I want to acknowledge you for wanting to be the best wife and mother you can. I think it i... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My fiancé and I come from a strong Christian background but both went off the "straight and narrow" once before. He is having a hard time accepting my past, especially that I'm not a virgin. He has a hard time in general accepting himself and others.
His insecurities are hurting our relationship. How can I help hi... | Sometimes we have difficulty keeping the past in the past. The best way to build a great relationship and have a great future, believe it or not, is to be firmly placed in the present. That means that when we stay in the moment with our partner and can notice what we are experiencing in the here and now we reap the bes... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | Yes, it is completely normal to feel anxious about therapy. Therapy often explores topics and feelings that are uncomfortable. The ultimate goal of therapy is to feel better but the process itself can be uncomfortable. | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | It is absolutely normal to be nervous about therapy. Many people take years to make the decision to start counseling and although it is a safe place to explore feelings, it may be the first time you are facing certain issues. It takes courage to face issues head on. Being nervous is part of the process. The fact th... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm obsessing about a terrible breakup. Everything is a constant reminder. How do I move on? | Relationships can be extremely enjoyable and satisfying. When relationships end, however, it can be devastating. It is normal to go through a grieving process after a breakup. Denial, bargaining, sadness, anger and eventually acceptance are all normal stages of grief. You may experience these feelings all at once o... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My fiancé and I have been together for 3 years and our relationship has always been good. The only issue we had was that he felt like he wasn't getting enough sexual attention from me.
I recently found out he cheated on me with another women. He says he wants his family back but I'm confused on what to do. Is it ... | Betrayal in a relationship can be one of the most difficult things a relationship can sustain. Sometimes feelings about the betrayal may also trigger past wounds. The fact that "it only happened once" may not make it any easier to move forward. I highly recommend working with a mental health professional who has experi... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | Yes, feeling nervous for the first few or several sessions of therapy, is completely normal.Therapy is an unusual way to have a conversation with someone. The person is an expert in recognizing and understanding dynamics of human interactions. For some people the fear is that the therapist knows more about you than... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My daughter is in later elementary school. She can't color in the lines. Her words jumble together when she writes unless there are big spaces or she skips lines. | If your daughter is the same age as most of the other students in her class, and the other students easily complete the tasks you list here, then there is a problem in the performance of these tasks for your daughter.Without knowing more about the context of your daughter's life, for example, is she a new student to th... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My fiancé and I come from a strong Christian background but both went off the "straight and narrow" once before. He is having a hard time accepting my past, especially that I'm not a virgin. He has a hard time in general accepting himself and others.
His insecurities are hurting our relationship. How can I help hi... | Your patience with his pace of accepting your past, is the factor most in your control in this situation.Everyone accepts a new understanding at their own particular rate. Yours may be faster than his pace.Since it is possible he may accelerate his pace of accepting your past if he knows that this is a priority for yo... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm always listening to my husband, but it feels like he never listens to me.
How do I get my husband to listen to me instead of me listening to him all the time? | Does your husband want to listen to you?Find this out by asking him the question!This way you know whether the goal you'd like to reach is even possible.Some partners prefer that one person is the rule maker or the only one who is entitled to talk about themselves.If your husband tells you he wants to listen to you, or... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | Therapy does not work overnight, oftentimes it is a lifelong struggle, the therapists job is not to "cure" you or to remove something but rather to make you strong enough to live your life with your own peculiarities and struggles, remember we are human and constantly fallible. Another important thing to note is that a... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My fiancé and I come from a strong Christian background but both went off the "straight and narrow" once before. He is having a hard time accepting my past, especially that I'm not a virgin. He has a hard time in general accepting himself and others.
His insecurities are hurting our relationship. How can I help hi... | This suffering and clinging to the past, especially a troubled past or a past that we dont like, may be amplified due to the Christian framework that may be built into your life. I am not averse to religion, i just think that many times it puts unreasonable expectations on us and helps us to form a guilt complex or pe... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm always listening to my husband, but it feels like he never listens to me.
How do I get my husband to listen to me instead of me listening to him all the time? | It's hard when you feel as if you're the only one that's taking the time to listen to your spouse. But, I would look at this as an opportunity to see if you can become aware of what exactly is happening between you, when you try and talk with your husband. Sometimes, it can be in the way dialogue is approached. I would... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have been married for 11 years. Within the past 2 years we have drifted far apart. We coexist together but there is very little personal interest in each other. I often feel that my husband has "friends" at work that he is more emotional invested in than me. I feel very alone and just uncared for. Is there anything ... | Feeling alone in your marriage is one of the most painful feelings. Wanting connection with your spouse yet feeling the all too familiar distance that's keeping you apart can be so hurtful. But, change is possible. You might be able to move closer toward each other on your own but since there has been two years of dist... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm obsessing about a terrible breakup. Everything is a constant reminder. How do I move on? | Dealing with a breakup is difficult. We have high hopes and then those hopes and dreams are dashed and we feel at a loss for how to deal with this sudden change in our lives. First, it is important to acknowledge that losing a relationship is a loss and we need to grieve that loss. If we don't allow ourselves time to p... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
Every time I send a message to someone or a group message on Instagram, iMessage, or snapchat people will read my messages but then they won't answer me.
Could it be that there is something they don't like about me? I don't understand why they won't answer my messages. How do I get people to respond to me? | I understand the feeling of not being liked due to not having any responses on the sites you list.More than likely the non-response has less to do with liking you than w liking the way you write your messages.Have you tried asking a question in your posts? This would be one way to invite people to answer your post.Whe... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My dad doesn't like the fact that I'm a boy. He yells at me daily because of it and he tells me I'm extreme and over dramatic.
I get so depressed because of my dad's yelling. He keeps asking me why I can't just be happy the way I am and yells at me on a daily basis. Is this considered emotional abuse? | Maybe this is emotional abuse.It certainly is irritating and annoying to be yelled at for being yourself.Maybe at a time when he's not yelling you can bring up the topic of your own willingness, if this is true, to discuss questions he has about your gender.There's no guarantee he won't start yelling midway through a d... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm very depressed. How do I find someone to talk to? | Great that you realize talking with a professional counselor about how you feel, would be helpful!If you'd like a very fast response by phone, then google "depression hotline" for where you live. And, if you have a specific topic which upsets you then google around with this topic to see if there are services specific... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
What makes a healthy marriage last? | I appreciate your question.The answer of what makes a "good marriage" are as varied as there are marriages.Basically, similarity, like mindedness in beliefs and values, makes a good marriage. The best chance of getting along with someone on a longterm basis is when two people see life and the world in similar ways.Even... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm having relationship problems and I want to fix them to make things right before I lose her. How can I learn how to listen and get myself together? | I'm glad to read about your willingness to develop new ways to invest yourself with your partner.The easier way to fix a relationship is when both people are helped to recognize the ways the couple dynamic falls short of what each person would like.Couples therapy is exactly this.Still, relationships can change if one ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My wife and I got separated because I asked about her contact with a male friend of hers. The next day, she kicked me out. She let me move back two days later. Yesterday, she said she wanted a divorce then quickly changed her mind. I asked if the other guy was a factor, but she says it's not my business. | When "threats" of leaving, such as what you described in your question ("kicking you out, wanting divorce") are continuous in your marriage, it can start to erode at the foundation of your relationship, impacting both partners. And, if you're concerned about the influence of another male in the relationship, and are un... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've only been married three months. Every week, we argue about something, and it seems to be getting worse. | One key factor to consider is, are you able to repair after your arguments? It seems from your question that repair is lacking after any disagreement or argument. When couples are able to repair after an argument, they have an opportunity to learn more about each other's needs moving forward. I'm also curious if you're... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My ex-wife married and used me to have a child. She now uses that child as a pawn. I know my child misses me, but I need to move on and not live in the past. How do I do this? Do I see my child as much as possible or very little? Is it more confusing for the child? | I am really glad you reached out. When parents get divorced, they still need to figure out how to have relationship so that they can parent their child. We might divorce our partners, however, we don't divorce our children. If anything our children need to know that we are still a stable force in their lives. Unfortuna... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | It takes a lot of courage to go to therapy. I have gone myself as a Counselor and know what that feeling is like. This is normal but hopefully you have become more comfortable with your therapist. This might be something to bring up to your Therapist and openly discuss (scary to do but its ok) this may even relieve so... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I was raped a couple months ago, Since then, along with other unfortunately events that have occurred, I have been having trouble feeling emotions. It's almost as if I'm a sociopath lacking any feeling. What can I do to change this? | First and foremost, be gentle and patient with yourself. It is normal to feel a range of emotions after a severe trauma including no emotions at all. Try not to push yourself to feel, just notice the lack of emotion you are experiencing right now. Maybe write about your emotions and the lack of them or talk about it wi... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm always listening to my husband, but it feels like he never listens to me.
How do I get my husband to listen to me instead of me listening to him all the time? | Thanks for reaching out. This is a great question. Communication is definitely a 2-way street. One person cannot participate in a discussion. It takes a talker and a listener. Furthermore, communication will breakdown if each party is only focusing on his or her agenda and is not open to what the other person is saying... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have a friend that who I used to be in a relationship with. It was brief and turned into us being just good friends.
I spent the weekend with him and it upset my boyfriend. Was i wrong? | It's completely understandable that you would have male friends and that you would want to spend time with them. When you cross over from friends to a relationship, it does change things. Some people are very easy going and wouldn't feel threatened by what you did Others would be upset. If your boyfriend is upset b... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have a friend that who I used to be in a relationship with. It was brief and turned into us being just good friends.
I spent the weekend with him and it upset my boyfriend. Was i wrong? | Thank you for submitting this question. I think this type of situation can be common for many couples struggling with how to keep friendships with past relationships while being in a new relationship. For me, more information is needed here...but given the information provided, the way I interpret the question is...I'm... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I crossdress and like to be feminine but I am attracted to women, but yet that seems to bother girls I date or ask out.
How can I approach them about it? should I hold back and keep it a secret, or should I just be up-front about it. I wonder if i should stop or if I should continue to do it since it makes me happ... | Keep doing the crossdressing since you like it.Your problem sounds more a matter of timing and reason to tell the girl about it.Not keeping a secret is a good attitude regarding meaningful parts of your life. Usually our relationship partner is someone whom we trust as a safe person to know all about us.Once you feel ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I don't know how else to explain it. All I can say is that I feel empty, I feel nothing. How do I stop feeling this way? | Your question is very broad because feeling empty can develop for many different reasons.You're certainly not alone in feeling this way!Try to follow the logic of your feelings by asking yourself questions about the empty feeling. Doing this may open up a discovery about the reason for the emptiness feeling.When do y... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
People who are parental figures in my life have, in the past, hurt me, and some continue to do so. It makes me feel like I'm not good enough for my husband or the life he provides me. I have had jobs, but I am going through a lot of my past garbage and trying to figure out when it all went wrong. Any time I bring these... | Hello. Adults who come from abusive home histories (physical, emotional, or even psychological), may take a long time to heal from that abuse. We carry our past with us everywhere we go, and it is up to us to find resolutions to past hurts. This is often easier said than done, but it is possible. From the perspective o... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've been going through a rough time lately. I been into nothing but women. I’ve never thought about men until a week ago. I’m very upset and depressed about this. It's not normal to me. I looked at gay porn more than once to prove that I’m not gay. I get the same results each time, and I feel disgust. This is tough on... | Hello. Coming to terms with the idea that you might be of a sexuality other than the one in which you were socially raised to be, can be emotionally disturbing, and quite unsettling. It creates anxiety, maybe even panic, and leaves us feeling confused and uncertain about our own sense of identity. It becomes important ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
Every winter I find myself getting sad because of the weather. How can I fight this? | Sometimes its quite literally the lack of sunshine that can affect our mood - in these cases it can be worth experimenting with a sun lamp, to boost your dose of vitamin D, when the sun isn't naturally out. Also consider, what is it that the change in weather, changes in your life? If for example, when its sunny you ar... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've gone to a couple therapy sessions so far and still everytime I walk in I get nervous and shaky. Is this normal? Should I still be feeling like this? | Therapy can feel very weird to begin with - think about it, how often do we go and tell a relative stranger our deepest, darkest thoughts in the rest of our life? So I think its reasonable to expect a certain level of nerves as you get used to your therapist and to the whole process of talking about yourself and vulner... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I need help knowing how to deal with stress. What can I do? | Learn how to meditate. I recommend a Mindful Based Stress Reduction MBSR program. | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have a friend that who I used to be in a relationship with. It was brief and turned into us being just good friends.
I spent the weekend with him and it upset my boyfriend. Was i wrong? | That is a difficult situation and there is no right or wrong. You both need to discuss it and come up with a solution that works for the both of you. You want to spend time with your friend but your boyfriend may feel betrayed by you spending quality time with another man you have been intimate with. There may be a wa... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm very depressed. How do I find someone to talk to? | Hang in there! Feeling depressed sucks but talking with someone can really help - so its awesome that you're already trying to figure out how to find that person. Tons of good suggestions already but to add my two cents - you can find therapists in your area and read a little bit about them to find someone you like the... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm dealing with an illness that will never go away and I feel like my life will never change for the better. I feel alone and that i have no one.
How can I overcome this pain and learn to be happy alone? | I'm so sorry you're feeling like things will never get better. Try to remember that whatever illness you are dealing with, you are not the only person to have dealt with it and you are not alone! Out there, just waiting for you, is a group of people that will totally understand what you're going through and will be abl... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I need help knowing how to deal with stress. What can I do? | Our body reacts to stress typically by breathing more shallowly, increasing our heart rate and tensing our muscles - so one thing that I find really effective is to try to do the opposite of that, which sends the signal to our mind that we are relaxed. So that means, taking slower, fuller breaths and trying to relax an... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I am in my early 20s and I still live with my parents because I can't afford to live alone.
My mother says that if I live under her roof I have to follow her rules. She is trying to control my life. What should I do? | You're among many millennials who live with their parents due to financial reasons.Does your mother mean rules pertaining to the way your family household organizes its daily or does she mean something else?Every household needs rules as responsibilities to keep the house clean, who does the grocery shopping, the way c... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My ex-wife married and used me to have a child. She now uses that child as a pawn. I know my child misses me, but I need to move on and not live in the past. How do I do this? Do I see my child as much as possible or very little? Is it more confusing for the child? | What are the ways your ex-wife uses your child as a pawn?This answer determines the best ways to handle particular situations.Basically, distinguish that your father relationship to your child lasts has great meaning for your child and as the adult, the responsibility for managing this relationship falls on you.Your re... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm concerned about My 12 year old daughter.
About a month or two ago she started walking on her toes, as well as coloring and writing very messy. This all happened very suddenly. She has never walked on her tiptoes and has always colored and written very neatly.
Is this something I should be concerned abou? An... | Have you asked your daughter why she's doing the behaviors you describe?Often the best way to find out why someone does something is to simply ask them their reason.Her answer will give you some guidance as to next possible steps.If she's pretending to be a fantasy figure or trying to find out how being taller feels, o... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
A few years ago I was making love to my wife when for no known reason I lost my erection,
Now I'm In my early 30s and my problem has become more and more frequent. This is causing major problems for my ego and it's diminishing my self esteem. This has resulted in ongoing depression and tearing apart my marriage.
... | First step always is to do a medical rule out so that you're sure the problem is psychological and emotion based, not a medical condition which requires care and attention.If you are medically clear in the reasons for losing your erection, then reflect on what may be creating a loss in confidence in either who you are ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I need help dealing with stress. How can I handle it all and feel less stressed out? | In case you feel some relief to know you're feeling the tone of our times.We live with crumbling of our values which then gives rise to insecurity everywhere. If someone doesn't know what their values are then its difficult to do anything, and right now everyday we hear uncertainty in what used to be our basic assumpt... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I know I need to deal with my depression. But I don't know how and I don't want to tell anyone.
How can I deal with depression without telling anyone? | It can be really tough to tell someone - anyone - that you're feeling depressed. But finding that supportive person that you can share with is a big part of the battle with depression. Depression thrives on being secret, it seems to grow the more we isolate ourselves and hide it away so I'm with Laura Cassidy, when she... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I've been bullied for years and the teachers have done nothing about it. I haven't been diagnosed with depression, but i have been extremely sad for years.
How can I deal with being bullied at school when the teachers won't help? | That's a very difficult situation that you are in. But you are not alone. I have several school-aged clients who find little to no assistance from their teachers at their schools regarding bullying.There are a few options that are available to you to help deal with being bullied at school. One option that I would sugge... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
A few years ago I was making love to my wife when for no known reason I lost my erection,
Now I'm In my early 30s and my problem has become more and more frequent. This is causing major problems for my ego and it's diminishing my self esteem. This has resulted in ongoing depression and tearing apart my marriage.
... | When I'm working with men with this type of situation, I always suggest a medical examination to rule out any type of organic reason for a difficulty in maintaining interaction. In cases where there is no medical reason for the loss of erection, I find that many men have a similar situation in experiencing negative int... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I need help dealing with stress. How can I handle it all and feel less stressed out? | Part of handling stress is making sure that your perception of the stress is accurate. Sometimes stress can seem more than it really is. One thing that I encourage my clients to do is to ask themselves, "What is this stressor really about?" Simplifying stress is a key to minimizing stress and leads to feeling less stre... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I don't know how else to explain it. All I can say is that I feel empty, I feel nothing. How do I stop feeling this way? | A feeling of emptiness can be from a lack of awareness and acknowledgment for the things, the people, the places that you have in your life. The use of affirmation and gratitudes helps to remind ourselves of all of the aspects of our lives. | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have a friend that who I used to be in a relationship with. It was brief and turned into us being just good friends.
I spent the weekend with him and it upset my boyfriend. Was i wrong? | This can be a very complicated situation. The boundaries of relationship include the rules to follow in the relationship. It is important to follow the rules of your relationship in regards to each person being able to spend time with exes. If you and your boyfriend agree upon a rule about spending time with exes, the... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
A few years ago I was making love to my wife when for no known reason I lost my erection,
Now I'm In my early 30s and my problem has become more and more frequent. This is causing major problems for my ego and it's diminishing my self esteem. This has resulted in ongoing depression and tearing apart my marriage.
... | For starters, know that this is a normal experience for many men at some point in their lives. While this can certainly cause some embarrassment, a diminished sexual esteem or relationship problems, it is important to know you are not alone. I am going to move forward assuming that you have already checked with a medic... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My fiancé and I have been together for 3 years and our relationship has always been good. The only issue we had was that he felt like he wasn't getting enough sexual attention from me.
I recently found out he cheated on me with another women. He says he wants his family back but I'm confused on what to do. Is it ... | As a relationship therapist I work with couples all the time that are in the repair phase of their relationship after infidelity. The short answer to this, is not only is it possible to have a satisfying and fullfilling relationship after infidelity, it happens more often that we may know. The current rate of infidelit... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
Does counseling really do anything that can help people? | Hello. Yes, counseling can be beneficial to many people. One of the effective components to effective therapy, is when the client becomes willing to participate in the counseling. I don't mean just show up and listen to the counselor for 45-50 minutes, but also that the client themselves opens up and shares with the co... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
Does counseling really do anything that can help people? | I love this question! Some people shy away from counseling because they think since they already talk about how they feel to their relatives or friends they shouldn't need a counselor. However, if you are having a difficult time, counseling can be beneficial in helping you move forward and get your life back on track. ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm dealing with imposter syndrome in graduate school. I know that by all accounts I am a phenomenal graduate student, and that I am well-published. I am well liked by students and faculty alike. And yet I cannot shake the feeling that I'm going to be found out as a fraud.
How can I get over this feeling? | It would be very helpful to identify with you eventual pattern where the imposter syndrome is more or less present. Are there specific situations where you've noticed the feelings of "I'm going to be found out as a fraud" becoming more strong? It seems that shaking this feeling is very important to you. In my opinion, ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have a friend that who I used to be in a relationship with. It was brief and turned into us being just good friends.
I spent the weekend with him and it upset my boyfriend. Was i wrong? | It is not the case of being right or wrong, in my view. If you are asking, I believe you truly care for your boyfriend. It seems like he is having difficulties in establishing trust in this relationship. The ideal would be to come closer to his upsetness and to show him that you are there for him. I hope all goes well.... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have a friend that who I used to be in a relationship with. It was brief and turned into us being just good friends.
I spent the weekend with him and it upset my boyfriend. Was i wrong? | Ideally you and your boyfriend will reach a balance point where you and your boyfriend are each happy with the level of involvement you have with your former boyfriend.Start w a discussion with your current boyfriend as to what specifically he doesn't like about your friendship with your former boyfriend.It is possible... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm dealing with imposter syndrome in graduate school. I know that by all accounts I am a phenomenal graduate student, and that I am well-published. I am well liked by students and faculty alike. And yet I cannot shake the feeling that I'm going to be found out as a fraud.
How can I get over this feeling? | First step is to remove the label of your behavior as a syndrome and instead understand the reasons for it."Imposter syndrome" sounds like a name someone made up to write a book and have lots of people buy it bc it gives the feeling they know themselves by calling themselves this name.Instead, consider your own unique ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a counselor decide when to end counseling sessions or to terminate working with a client? | From the very beginning of counseling sessions I emphasize that the work will and must end at some point.In counseling there is an arc to the process. A beginning, middle and end. I am always digging, searching and exploring. There comes a point where things come to there natural ending.I always leave an opening for co... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a counselor decide when to end counseling sessions or to terminate working with a client? | There are different reasons why a counselor may seek to terminate with a client and these will each have different processes by which the counselor will come to that decision. Here are a few examples. The counselor may determine that the client's needs are outside what the counselor is competent to be able to work with... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a counselor decide when to end counseling sessions or to terminate working with a client? | This is a question that is very specific to each person. There are definitely some variables, but I can give you some general ideas for when counseling might end:When a client has met all of their goals, at least to a degree when they feel that they no longer need to work on them with the assistance of a counselorSomet... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a person start the counseling process? | Usually people call me by phone, they introduce themselves, we chat for a bit, then we schedule a time for their appointment | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a counselor decide when to end counseling sessions or to terminate working with a client? | Hi there, There are a number of reasons why a therapeutic relationship might end including, but not limited to the client reaching their goals, the client reaching a place of acceptance where they wish to remain or even a breach within the relationship. The last aspect should likely be taken to supervision in order to... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a person start the counseling process? | Hello, There are many ways to approach a counselor and starting the process, however they all start with picking up the phone. It's most definitely an uncomfortable feeling, but once that first step is taken it is often met with a wave of relief. My recommendation is always to call and speak with a therapist over the ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a counselor decide when to end counseling sessions or to terminate working with a client? | There are typically three reasons why therapy is terminated:1) Client has met therapy goals2) Client is not progressing 3) Therapist is not a good fit for clientIn order to properly assess whether therapy is helping and what progress is being made, the therapist needs to have ways of consistently checking in with clien... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm in my late teens and live with my dad. The only time I go out is for my college classes. Sometimes when I see my friends I want to talk with them, but sometimes I won't want to talk to them for days or even weeks.
Sometimes I feel i'm not worth knowing or i'm never going to do anything right.
Are they right... | I'm alway wary of assigning a term to a feeling, as often that term becomes more important than the feeling itself. From the very little that you have written, it is clear that you are going through something that has made you extremely low, affected your self-esteem and motivation, limits your enjoyment of formerly pl... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a counselor decide when to end counseling sessions or to terminate working with a client? | Hello. The end of the counselor/client relationship is one of mutual respect and engagement. Counseling sessions can end for any number of reasons. Among them are the client's inability to make forward progress in therapy; the clinician's inability to help the client (for a variety of reasons); a mutually agreed upon t... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a person start the counseling process? | Hello. Counseling often begins way before the client ever actually calls the local therapist. There is often a tipping point in the internal struggle that the client experiences, where they can no longer deal with the issues on their own and thus giving the motivation to seek external help. That said, clients usually g... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm dating this guy, Peter. My friend Jennifer used to date him a while ago, and she's fine with us dating. My ex-boyfriend, Paul, broke up with Jennifer, and she's devastated about it. Peter and I are going through a rough patch in our relationship. All of a sudden, Paul is in "love" with me, and he wants me back. I d... | Hello. The dynamics of having a romantic relationship with someone is not always clear. Sometimes we jump from one relationship to another without giving ourselves a chance to adjust and grieve for the one we had to leave behind. When you find yourself in a situation where a previous partner is coming back into your li... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I am in a high stress position for a tech company. I am being overworked and underpaid for my contributions and it is not only giving me anxiety, but also demoralizing.
What can I do to manage my stress? | Hello. Workplace stress is one of those areas of living that troubles many people who need an income to survive. The interactions between you and coworkers is a mixed bag, and sorting that out can be difficult. Also, if you are feeling under appreciated and not well paid, this can add bitterness to your lot of emotions... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a person start the counseling process? | Hi! Great question! My suggestion would be to google therapists in your area. One great website is called Psychology Today, which is a National site. You can search for therapists in your zip code and search more specifically for the issue you are seeking support about. It's a great way to find out if they therapist... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I crossdress and like to be feminine but I am attracted to women, but yet that seems to bother girls I date or ask out.
How can I approach them about it? should I hold back and keep it a secret, or should I just be up-front about it. I wonder if i should stop or if I should continue to do it since it makes me happ... | Thanks for asking this question. I think the most important part of what you mentioned was that you do it because it makes you happy. For that reason, I would encourage you to keep doing what makes you happy.As far as telling girls or keeping it a secret, I don't really think that it's necessarily one or the other, at ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a counselor decide when to end counseling sessions or to terminate working with a client? | Hopefully both the client and counselor would together decide when to terminate counseling sessions. It's really helpful for the client to leave counseling with a solid sense of what he or she has accomplished in counseling, so it can be a good idea to spend some time acknowledging that in the last session or sessions.... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My daughter seemed to be developing at a normal rate until about the age of 10. She then started to act younger than she is.
Now she only wants to play with younger kids and she doesn't act her age. I don't know why this is happening. Is this normal? | Good for you to know your daughter's friendship circles and to notice when these have changed.While friendships are key relationships, they are not the only indicator of someone not developing normally.Is your observation and opinion that your daughter isn't normal based on other factors or just this one?If this is the... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
After first meeting the client, what is the process that a counselor facilitates? | Great question which I imagine many other people have as well.The therapist will want to know your main source of life discomfort. In what areas are the problem interactions which you hope will disappear?The therapist is trained to listen for your emotions to your story. And to open these up to you in a kind and safe... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I am in a high stress position for a tech company. I am being overworked and underpaid for my contributions and it is not only giving me anxiety, but also demoralizing.
What can I do to manage my stress? | Recognize your reason for continuing to work for this place.Sometimes "overworked and underpaid" is tolerable bc of the valuable learning which the person will take with them when they've decided the time has come for these lessons to end.Or, are you in this place bc it is an easy commute to your home or fits well with... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My son was diagnosed with autism a few years ago and I stopped working so that I could take care of him. I also was dealing with an abusive relationship (mentally, physically, and emotionally). Now I live like a recluse and I always feel nervous around people.
How can I feel more comfortable around other people? | Probably a good portion of living like a recluse was necessary so you had time to rest and recuperate from so much major adjustment in your life.Have you told some of the people in your life about the many changes you've been through? It is possible people sense something different about you and aren't sure whether t... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
What are the basic skills a good counselor needs to have? | To be non-judgemental, know who they themselves are, be able to step forward and ask questions with ease and grace into painful emotional areas.Also to respect human difference in accomplishing basic life tasks and everyday living. | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a counselor decide when to end counseling sessions or to terminate working with a client? | In my therapy practice the decision to end therapy is mutually made together with the patient.Otherwise, the person can end up with a sense of tremendous rejection and abandonment.The way you'll both know therapy is coming to a close is that the discussion will feel lighter and move easily.The person's mood will be bet... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
How does a person start the counseling process? | Phone or email a counselor whose profile you've read and which feels right for you.Ask to get a feel as to the way the person would handle your problem and work with you.In my practice I offer a phone consult which generally continues for twenty minutes.I feel it is only fair that a prospective patient has a feel for t... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I don't understand why this is happening. Why do I feel this way? | The first step to answer your question is to reflect on what is going on in your life overall. If you're in the midst of severe stress, whether within your relationship or effort to establish a relationship, upheaval in family dynamics, some type of significant loss like a job or someone with whom you feel closely att... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm in my late teens and live with my dad. The only time I go out is for my college classes. Sometimes when I see my friends I want to talk with them, but sometimes I won't want to talk to them for days or even weeks.
Sometimes I feel i'm not worth knowing or i'm never going to do anything right.
Are they right... | The answer to the question of whether or not you're depressed, is less meaningful than what you are doing to feel strong and secure in your life.Otherwise, people shortcut themselves to go deeper in understanding who they are and what they'd like to do with their lives, and accept "depression" as though it is their new... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm in my late teens and live with my dad. The only time I go out is for my college classes. Sometimes when I see my friends I want to talk with them, but sometimes I won't want to talk to them for days or even weeks.
Sometimes I feel i'm not worth knowing or i'm never going to do anything right.
Are they right... | Hello. Being a teenager in our society today can cause depression quite easily. We look at the world in which we live, and the doubts we have about being able to make a contribution, or to have value and worth with the people around us, and we begin to internalize those messages of self-worth. If that alone were not en... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have a relative who is in his twenties. He was in a drug rehabilitation program and got kicked out for using drugs again. No one informed family that he was using drugs again. He subsequently overdosed and was found dead.
Is their accountability of counselors, therapists or the halfway house for not reporting that... | I am so sorry for your loss. Generally therapists only have a duty to report self harm to ones self or others if it is expressed to them. Often times they will not report relapses due to the fact that proper releases were not signed or patient has specifically asked them not to for fear of shaming or failure again. ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My husband has had issues with alcohol addiction in the past (he'd never admit to this). A while back (3 years ago), I asked him to stop drinking so much, and he agreed. I caught him one night drinking behind my back. I confronted him and he lied, but I told him I knew he was lying because I counted the beers in the fr... | It can be very frustrating being lied to. The one thing that struck me was the sentence he had a alcohol addiction "in the past." Addiction is not something that comes and goes. Once you have addict tendencies they are here to stay. You may be able to fight them off for awhile but the will enviably rear their ugly ... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I have bipolar II disorder, I'm addicted to alcohol and weed, and I'm hopeless. I keep drinking even though it's harming myself and others. | You are not hopeless, as you can see there are many people who care about your well being and believe you can overcome this. I would suggest that you first get evaluated for your alcohol consumption. Alcohol is one of the addictions that you may need to seek inpatient treatment for. If not inpatient then be monitore... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I need to speak to someone about sexual addiction and binge eating immediately. | There are plenty of online providers within the mental health field that would me more than happy to speak with you immediately. Many of them provide treatment on a sliding scale fee. I would google online mental health treatment providers and that should lead you to a list of providers that can help you. | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
Or how to send him somewhere that can help him, something like The Baker Act. | Your dad needs to be aware that he has a problem and be willing to make some changes in order for him to be motivated to stop. Often times individuals will be forced to stop when they were not ready. Remember we can not ever make someone do something they do not want to do. There needs to be at least a little willin... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
I'm planning to have baby, so I have to quit smoking - but it's hard. Sometimes it's not a physical need, it's mental.
I cannot help myself from thinking about smoking. What can I do to get rid of this addiction? | It can be challenging to quite anything once we set our mind to it. We often crave the things more that we know we can not or should not have. With that being said I would encourage you to become aware of the chemical dependency part that cigarettes have on your brain and your body. Then make yourself aware of the m... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
My son was diagnosed with autism a few years ago and I stopped working so that I could take care of him. I also was dealing with an abusive relationship (mentally, physically, and emotionally). Now I live like a recluse and I always feel nervous around people.
How can I feel more comfortable around other people? | I would look at getting engaged with a support network of individuals who may also have autistic children. They will understand some of the things that you are experiencing at home and you may also find someone who feels that same way as you. If you have not sought professional counseling for the abusive relationship... | <|im_start|>system
You are an AI assistant that helps people cope with stress and improve their mental health. User will tell you about their feelings and challenges. Your task is to listen empathetically and offer helpful suggestions. While responding, think about the user’s needs and goals and show compassion and sup... |
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