Psychological Counselling

Can a psychologist estimate the number of therapy sessions? I have been struggling with compulsive masturbation behaviour. I had 4 therapy sessions at a government hospital and also received therapy from a psychiatrist, but neither helped. I’m considering seeing a private psychologist. Is it appropriate to ask them, “Approximately how many therapy sessions might I need for my problem?” Can a psychologist usually give an approximate estimate after assessing the problem, or is it not possible to estimate beforehand?

Sorry for asking so many questions. I have compulsive masturbation behaviour and I’m looking for a psychologist. Does the psychologist’s gender matter in this situation? Would a male or female psychologist be equally effective? I’m comfortable with either, but someone suggested that since I’m a man, a male psychologist might understand the problem better. Is that actually true, or should I choose based on experience and specialization rather than gender?

I have struggled with mental health for long,i was healing from apl 2022(with proper medication). Then january 2025 arrived-I was insulted,humiliated,threatened,scolded constantly for no fault(i was very hardworking as a student) at school by few teachers.I cried everday back then(jan 2025).I was humiliated during my practical tests in early feb 2025,threatened to be slapped,insulted in front of everyone for hours & even rewrote the test for bio from 12-5(skipped lunch+insulted terribly).I had severe breakdown The humiliation doesnt even affect me anymore,the breakdown that i had back then restarted the loop of disorders i once had before apl 2022,i have been suicidal,anxious depressed ever since.The nervousness i had back then seems to have been stuck in me-making me stressful for no reason.Everytime i try to eat meds from a new psych,my mental health goes downhill & i suffer from side-effects. Can counselling alone fix my mental health?I don't want to take new meds.

I’m looking for a psychologist who specifically deals with masturbation/compulsive sexual behaviour and related cases. I’ve already consulted two general psychologists, but they couldn’t help. I found two specialists who seem suitable, but one is busy and the other is expensive (Dr. Neha Mehta charges ₹9,999 for 30 minutes). I’m thinking of posting on LinkedIn to find a PhD psychologist with similar experience. Is that a good idea? Or can anyone suggest someone?

The patient experiences a powerful, involuntary fixation on a male classmate sitting on the second bench while she sits on the first bench. Despite strict conscious efforts to avoid looking at him and actively ignoring him, she experiences intense hyper-awareness of his presence, peripheral movements, and glances. This presence triggers sudden tachycardia (racing heartbeat) and severe anxiety.Maladaptive Daydreaming & Thought Loops: The cognitive distress persists throughout the week outside of classroom hours. When idle, resting, or trying to study at home, the patient experiences uncontrollable, vivid, and intrusive imaginary scenarios involving this classmate and the PW environment (e.g., imagining him looking at her, people gossiping about her, or accidental physical bumps/interactions).Somatization & Cognitive Fatigue: The continuous mental looping has manifested in severe, persistent tension headaches and an inability to concentrate. Trying to force focus causes her head to feel

Hey everyone, ​I’m dealing with an intense health anxiety spiral right now and need a rational reality check. ​Today, a stray cat came near my food. It sniffed/might have touched the top paratha. I discarded that top paratha along with the one right below it, and ate the remaining 1.5 parathas that weren't in direct contact. ​There was NO bite, NO scratch, and NO skin puncture whatsoever. ​I know that WHO classifies non-bite animal contact as Category I (Zero Exposure Risk) and that ingestion/saliva swallowed does not transmit Rabies due to stomach acid and lack of nerve entry points. But my anxiety keeps coming up with "what if" scenarios (what if saliva touched the lower food, what if the cat was rabid, etc.). ​Looking for some grounded thoughts from people who understand health anxiety or medical transmission facts to help me break this loop. Thanks

Is there a hyper sensitive personality type? How they manage their days. Like I gone through a hyper sensitive people book. As I can relate all those things which are written. So is this needed any counselling or managed by meditation, and grounding techniques only?

I was having breathlessness and constant yawning 8 months ago and I had relief in four days without taking medicine then i thought it was something not serious if it was then i would not felt relif but forced breathing was always happening time after time when I eat some packed , sugar and in stress then after months I went to doc he said it was anxiety gave some headache pills and now my younger sister is having it too

I take admission in course which I don't like I do it because my father told me but now I understand nothing .I have constant pressure that I should study but when I try to I understand nothing and I feel weird feeling .I feel nauseous, sometimes feel like can't able to breath and feel like my hands are shaking feel like crying but nit able to cry and have no strength in body to do anything and feel kike I don't want to talk to anyone

Sometime 8 months back while me and my family of wife and small kid, were on a road journey, We met with a major accident due to my mistake. Gods grace, we got saved without any major bruises. However even now I am not able to come out of that trauma. While my family has moved on, I can't forget the incident and I still getting flashes of that incident . I keep thinking what if something had happened to anyone of us or being fatal. I would have lived my entire life in this guilt. Even now I get depressed by all this thoughts. What can I do to come out of this conditions and start forgetting this incident.