Why have the option?
Hi
I don't wish to come across as having some kind of bad attitude by asking this, it is a genuine question I have.
Firstly I have tried a few times browsing listeners to find a listener who I think will match my needs. The ones who appeal to me are either offline or busy. I'm working through sending some offline messages to those listeners. But what I'm wondering is why, when we click connect now to wait for a listener is there an option to pick a topic that we need? I ask this because I have picked so many times the ptsd and trauma option yet when a listener answers me they either don't have this listed on their profile or they have no experience in the subject. I have found this many times now and I find it frustrating that I either get blocked for saying I clicked the topic or I have to start over again waiting.
I understand there may be some lag in the listeners being able to see my topic of choice but last night it must have been busy as i was waiting a long time (which I honestly don't mind waiting so please don't misunderstand me there) but still the same thing happened.
Again this is a genuine question I have and am not criticising anyone here. I just prefer to talk to someone with experience in what I'm going through as it's really hard to talk about some things
@SarahCJ
I agree. If you choose a certain subject, you should be matched with a listener who has that listed on their profile. Perhaps there wasn't any online that dealt with this particular subject, and a listener decided to take your request none the less. Listeners are the ones that choose members in the automatic chat request list. I kinda feel like it should be automatic really by matching up the best pair, subject wise. Maybe in time to come, it'll change.
Unfortunately the listeners who have very good reviews tend to be swamped with members, so it can be difficult to get a chat with them. I definitely feel your pain.
@TrueArrow
Inspired by this thread, I just submitted the suggestion to make at least the corresponding training badge necessary for taking General Requests marked with a difficult topic, i.e. for a PTSD/Trauma chat you should have the "Traumatic Experiences" training & badge. Might be easier to implement than your suggestion of a whole new matching system.
@curiosityofnature Sounds good! I like your idea 
@SarahCJ
It's very understandable that this is making you wonder (and possibly some worse feelings, too), and of course when you're going through serious trouble and even mark your chat accordingly, you'd want someone more qualified to take it.
The answer to your question is pretty simple, though: The option is there in order to give Listeners a better idea of what to expect from the chat, and whether they'll be familiar with the topic - we do see the category you choose. The problem is rather the fact that a lot of those chat requests get taken by inexperienced Listeners who often don't seem to be aware of what they are getting themselves into. So as I see it, there's nothing wrong with the option, but with the way it works out in reality. I, too, hope the system around the general requests and new Listeners will be improved soon.
Until then, I would suggest you to continue to browse Listeners, and to try contacting those who have their status set to "busy". I think there's a rather good chance that they are around and might even take your chat relatively soon. Personally, while I had some capactity to take chats, I had my status on "busy" anyway, as I'd get more requests than I could handle if I set it to "online", and this is probably very common.
