This doesn't seem helpful

I am sorry you had this experience. When I was a member I had a number of less than great experiences and it was one reason I became a listener.

Have you tried the chat rooms? This is all run by volunteers in terms of listeners and everybody is different and has a different style. If a listener isn’t working for you then I suggest you politely tell them that you need to go looking to trying somebody else.

Personally I find the forums clunky and hard to navigate. I try my best with all one on one chats I do but I’m only

human, and sometimes I am having a tough time with a conversation. Maybe it’s hard to get the member to talk, maybe it’s an issue I don’t get, or maybe I’ve just gotten too tired without realizing it.

anyway, all this is to say I understand and that I hope you find someone who makes you feel heard.

@LovelyPlace4774 I'm sorry you're experiencing this. Maybe I can relate. I'm very new to the site and trying to understand how it all works. I'm a very organized person, and I'm having a hard time following the structure of the different components. I tried the 1-1 listener chat, and the person just stopped talking to me after three turns. An hour later, they just said, "I didn't see your message." I've participated in the circle, and while it seems to be supportive, I don't think I quite understand it yet and it was confusing the way people were seemingly talking about separate things all at once. Maybe for some of us regular counseling is the best option? I'm not going to give up just yet, necessarily, but I guess my point is that we have to give it time to make sense. I wish you the best!!

@LovelyPlace4774 You right, they could say something. They should say something. I'm guilty of this myself. I will often heart a post as a way of saying I hear someone but I don't always reply. It might be because I don't know what to say or it isn't something I understand, as you said but I could say something, anything to let that person know they were heard other than just hearting it. Thank you for pointing this out. It takes a lot of courage to point these things out. ❤

Let's talk. :) leave me a message.

@LovelyPlace4774 You're right. Too many posts in the forum don't get replies. There's a scheme to try and ensure that everyone gets a reply eventually, but still it can sometimes take several weeks.

More people seem to be reporting bad experiences with listeners recently. All I can suggest is that you choose carefully from the Browse Listeners page, looking for a listener who has a Chat Now button and a lot of good reviews. You can also filter the list for females, if you like. It's also important to report any listener who seems creepy. I hope that by choosing carefully you'll be able to get better support here.

Charlie

Hi. Im really sorry you felt that way. I know that feeling. Havent quite experience it in here but through life experience, I resonate with what you say. Please know that you really matter. I agree with what you say, people in general should adress how they feel and be more considerate with others feelings. Because Ive kind of being on both sides, I feel some people just really find it hard to put on the words, or just to avoid hurting others feelings or their own feelings, they say no more. I can tell you have great values and are a good hearted person. Hang in there Im sure you'll find people whom you will feel heard and loved and respected. Everyone just acts upon how they are and have little to do with the other most of the times, as cliché as it might sounds. I hope you have a great day 💜 as for this app...I have find myself blessed into meeting some wonferful people as listeners...but some other times they didnt respond either. I didnt took it personal, but keep trying, I feel this is a site with lots of compassionate people...try forums and community chats as well. 🌈🦋

I can understand where your coming from me personally have had a great out come from this app but it took time to come in contact with the right groups forums and listeners it takes a while to navigate this site properly to find good ending results my advice would be please don't give up or lose hope just yet keep on adventuring trying things out if it's a hot awesome if it's a miss move on chin up your amazing and doing the best you can

I was a listener for quite a while and have been a member for longer. Over the past couple years, the quality has definitely gone down. I don't have the emotional capacity to volunteer right now, and having done so before, I can definitely understand that it can take a toll and some people may not know their limits until they take one too many peoples' requests. However, instead of either giving uninterested responses or basically repeating what you say, they could offer to refer you to another volunteer (at least I did that when I volunteered a couple years ago?) or at minimum be honest that they may reply slow due to other requests, but they're trying. Something.

I replied late to a volunteer by five minutes, and I apologised. When I responded to them, they never said anything in return, even waiting over twenty minutes. I've had this happen repeatedly, or someone will take my request and say nothing at all. I don't know what's worse, a listener who is obviously not paying attention and is not very interested, or one that says nothing at all.

Sorry to mini-rant on your post - I guess all this is to say you're definitely not alone. I've had a few good experiences on here with people who genuinely care - often it takes three or four times in queue, which, honestly, is not great when you're desperate for support - but there are a few good volunteers on here.

You may have luck with the search function.

I wish you all the best and hope you feel better soon. Take care.

I have had some crummy experiences and some awesome ones over time and I do subscribe to the paid therapy. It takes time. Your honesty and assertiveness inspires me. Thank you for posting.

@LovelyPlace4774

This sounds rather familiar...am sorry to hear it isn't working out for you. Tonight I am realizing that online communities like 7Cups can only do so much. In all fairness, they do post messages that say so here & there ("if you are in crisis, call this hotline" etc.). You managed to get ahold of Listeners, though...how did you do it? Thus far my attempts have all been unsuccessful.

Gotta say, if your experiences with male ones have been "creepy" then I have to wonder how many Listeners here are actually good at what they do. As for paying for therapy, how many on this site can afford it, especially in these days of 9+% inflation...