LogFAQs > #905363982

I did volunteer at a crisis line before med school. The repeating or paraphrasing is supposed to be an indication that they are listening or paying attention and validation of what was said, but thats conveyed better vocally than online and is an issue of the medium.

Also, one of the factors is that there is generally going to be some feeling out in terms of how theyre going to approach the call/chat. Is the person reaching out looking to vent and get validation or something else? Are they freely providing information or does the counselor have to ask more specific questions to get those answers? Are they disclosing more as they get more comfortable/building a rapport? Do they just click with the counselor? Are they trying to assess suicide risk. Sometimes the counselors are just not good with computers and take a while to type cause of age.

Any way, Im sorry you had a bad experience. If its necessary, I hope its better next time. A lot volunteers arent licensed medically and are just good samaritans trying to help out: hopefully they can do better by you
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"It's unpleasantly like being drunk." "What's so unpleasant about being drunk?" "You ask a glass of water."