Councelling/Therapy

Bagpuss1973

Obviously I cannot speak for all NHS surgeries, but generally all cases are checked out by a proper counsellor (not by a general nurse), well in my surgery they are anyway. Also the waiting time would depend on your referral, Alleycat PND would be pretty quick normally. I would speak to your gp before you spend out lots of dosh, just because you are paying does not mean that the said "Counsellor" is any good or has decent qualifications. Alternatively, if in dire need for immediate help you could try the Samaritans. Goodluck with whatever your need is...


Big hugs and regards Bagpussx :grouphug:

seroxat_chick

At my GP's surgery, there are two therapists who work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons between them.

When my GP referred me, I was told to expect a wait of around six weeks, but a letter arrived inviting me to make an appointment within a couple of weeks.

I have found the therapist to be excellent and would thoroughly recommend her to anybody.

I have read before, that paying to go private can be a very hit and miss affair, especially regarding qualifications and suitability.

Maybe I am just lucky, and that this is one of those NHS 'postcode lottery' type cases.
I would definitely make enquiries at your surgery before parting with any cash, though - especially if you're a student.

brummiebabe

freebie_junkie wrote:

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.

Did you check out with 'that silly nurse' what her actual qualifications were???? A lot of Psychiatric Nurses (which I'm assuming she was!) have a CBT qualification and may be trained nurse therapists!!!! Don't assume she was not qualified enough!!!

Also - nurses are 'professionals!!!!!'

(Sorry - took a little offence at your deregatory comments, being in the profession myself!)

Zziggi

Alleycat wrote:

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??

If you feel you need the help earlier than i would go back to the H.V. and tell her in no uncertain terms that you need help quicker. She should be aware of the situation as she has done the checklist with you. Alternatively you could go to your GP and explaint his to him/her. He *should* be aware of the H.V.'s referal.

HTH.

Red_Elle

I've seen private and NHS counsellors in the past and in my experience the NHS ones have been streets ahead. It's not always the case, but I worried when seeing someone private that they would prolong the therapy, as they are making money (I was quite depressed and paranoid then though )

There is usually the option with the NHS to state if you can go at the very last minute. I.e if someone cancels at the last minute, you can arrange to take their place. This will get you in a lot quicker. If the option isn't mentioned, bring it up. With the NHS you are generally referred to a counsellor who will assess whether they can help or whether you need to see a psychologist, psychiatric nurse or psychiatrist. Waiting times for those are generally longer than seeing a counsellor.

Dora_the_Explorer_5

There are excellent therapies/counselling/treatment available on the NHS. Everyone's need is assessed and some will receive an much quicker appointment than others.
In my patch urgent cases would be seen within 24 hours and everyone witin 6 weeks. Most NHS patches are the same as this these days as GPs are paying more attention to emotional/behaviour difficulties and have properly qualified clinicians doing sessions at their surgery or a central health centre who are able to offer a range of therapeutic interventions. If anyone feels their appointment is too far in the future and they are faring even less well, they should speak to their GP again about an earlier appointment. Sorry if this reads as being a bit stiff, I am being very careful to not give advice. Hope this helps.

StockportGerbil

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?

Hi!
I've been through a number of counsellors on my time (strewth that sounds grim) and I must admit the most helpful one for me was the one I saw at Uni. The NHS (and to a lesser extent MIND) work on the basis that you can have x number of sessions, which I really don't think is the point. Private ones as you say are expensive, but if the relationship really is not there then you can go and find another one.
Good luck and I hope things sort themselves out for you.
Kev

Savvy_Sue

Alleycat wrote:

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??

Association for Postnatal Illness? Or your local branch of NCT may have a group for PND.

Savvy_Sue

Also, if you decide you DON'T want to or CAN'T wait for the referral to come through via the GP, ask the GP if they can recommend anyone privately. Sometimes counsellors work in several different places, both for NHS and privately, so you may get the same person.

freebie_junkie

brummiebabe wrote:

Did you check out with 'that silly nurse' what her actual qualifications were???? A lot of Psychiatric Nurses (which I'm assuming she was!) have a CBT qualification and may be trained nurse therapists!!!! Don't assume she was not qualified enough!!!

Also - nurses are 'professionals!!!!!'

(Sorry - took a little offence at your deregatory comments, being in the profession myself!)

i said not all of then are professional i.e. appropraiet. the first time she met me she asked me (bearing in mind i was very verty ill with hygiene ocd)

"how do you go to teh toilet? do you have sex with your boyfriend?"

is taht professional? no!

i wasnt talkin about ALL nurses etc. just teh ones ive come across at fairfield general hospital's roch house.

plus, before i was chucked out of my rents house i was an in-patient and teh consultant made me sit on teh floor outside her office whilst she spoke to my parents- refused to speak to me despite teh fact i was 20 at teh time, and she told my parents i was a "silly little teenager who is putting it on for attention" and tahts why they kicked me out- i dont really think tahts professional either is it?

another reason why i didnt get teh help i was entitled to was coz i was too scared to see taht consultant again so i kept cancellign the appointments, as tehy made her my out=-patient consultabt despite my making an official complainrt about her methods. is taht professioanl?no.

im sure youre a wonderful and very well qualified nurse, i wasnt passing judgements on yourself, just the awful peopel ive come across in bury.