Councelling/Therapy

m00c0w04

Hi I was wondering do the NHS/Government run any free counselling/therapy services? I was looking at the price of private therapists and they seem awful expensive. If so are they any good or would a private alternative be better?

Many thanks.

mae

They do if you go through your doctor but the waiting lists can be very long. Certain private organisations like Mind for instance offer free counselling services may be worth looking up in the directory and if you are a student many colleges now run a free counselling service within the college and its not just for issues to do with college its for general issues too.

Cariad_3

I think most larger employers provide or have access to free counselling, certainly if you work for places like the County Council. If you're in employment contact your Human Resources department and they should be able to help you and it is confidential.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

All NHS counselling and therapies are free. Many GP practices have a counseller. Additionally, if female most cities have a Well Women Centre which usually offer counselling. If counselling or therapy is needed urgently, a person's GP will refer them for assessment - counselling may be appropriate or there may be other theapies which will be more appropriate and effective - the assessment will identify which one is best. Hope this helps and best wishes.

flis21

I would definitely try your work. I have got 8 free one hour sessions of counselling from my employer. My doctor did say that he could arrange some for me, but would only be 3 sessions and there was a long waiting list.

tomstickland

How expensive is expensive? £32 for an hour?

m00c0w04

tomstickland wrote:

How expensive is expensive? £32 for an hour?

Yeah around the £35 mark per session. I am a student and my college does offer a councelling service but I wouldn't put money on the fact that it was anyone who was qualified for the job. If a GP prescribed me a counselor I'm assuming it would be someone who is qualified?

freebie_junkie

the waiting lists are very, very long and not all o fthe professionals are well 'professional'. i waited nearly a year to see a CBT who after a week went on maternity leave and her replacement was totally innaproprite in her questions and wasnt even a bloomin CBT she was a nurse!

grrr!

in the end i decided that between me and my fella we could cure myself! easier! and ive been very sucessful so far- a lot bloomin better than taht silly nurse.

melancholly

m00c0w04 wrote:

Yeah around the £35 mark per session. I am a student and my college does offer a councelling service but I wouldn't put money on the fact that it was anyone who was qualified for the job. If a GP prescribed me a counselor I'm assuming it would be someone who is qualified?

University counselling services are usually pretty good - there will probably be a wait, but it's a sad fact that most universities are having to expand their conselling services because of the pressure a lot of students feel under. My experience of them has been amazing.... made a really positive improvement to my life.

m00c0w04

melancholly wrote:

University counselling services are usually pretty good - there will probably be a wait, but it's a sad fact that most universities are having to expand their conselling services because of the pressure a lot of students feel under. My experience of them has been amazing.... made a really positive improvement to my life.

I'm glad to hear! would you guys advise payign the price of going private then instead of waiting with my GP?

Alleycat

Oh, reading this has me worried now! My Health Visitor has referred me to counselling for PND and I have filled in the form, just waiting for a reply.

Don't know if I can wait much longer to deal with it all. What if you need help sooner??