Private alternative to CAMHS?

Maureen43

Hi All


My daughter is currently on the CAMHS waiting list, waiting for CBT for anxiety.


She's been on the list for three months now with no word of when the therapy will begin.


I know it can be a very long wait for CAMHS so am now considering going private.


Does anyone have any experience of this, or any suggestions of how I can find a reputable therapist?


Thanks
M

Fluff15

Hiya,

You can use http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/ to look for local counsellors/psychotherapists in your area. This will list their accreditations, and what they specialise in. Or check http://members.psychotherapy.org.uk/findATherapist, to find those registered with the UKCP.

There will be others on here too, with suggestion of links to start this type of therapy at home too.

Good luck!

Floss

Have you considered a referral out of your area to a shorter waiting list? Speak to your daughter's consultant's secretary - they should be able to give info on your options.

Flugelhorn

I went straight to a private therapist as I work in the NHS and know that the waiting lists can be long - was easier also to fit it in around school etc.

While were sorting it out we tried some meditation etc at home but DD has found it so much better talking about her anxieties etc to a specialist.

I found the therapist by local recommendation and went to chat to her myself first

tomtontom

Floss wrote: »

Have you considered a referral out of your area to a shorter waiting list? Speak to your daughter's consultant's secretary - they should be able to give info on your options.

An OOA referral would be very unusual for mental health services, a funding agreement would need to be in place first and this is likely to take longer than any referral.

Sadly MH services are a long way behind other areas of medicine in terms of accessing treatment

Armchair23

If you can manage to find the money, and I do know how hard that can be, please look at a private counsellor/therapist for the time being.

Obviously I don't know you or your daughters situation but waiting is such a hard thing for you all.

You won't necessarily find the right person first time out so as hard as it is do be willing to look around.

Good wishes and I hope things work out.

Racheldevon

If you're going to look for a private therapist, ensure it's one who hasn't just done a short course as an add on to their adult therapy training. Personally, I'd look on UKCP for a psychotherapist for someone who has expertise in the area you're looking for. Also check out whether CAMHS can recommend anyone locally.

bambam82

Hi Maureen43,

If you are looking for a CBT therapist specifically (which is the treatment approach recommended for most individuals with anxiety and/or depression), I would go to the BABCP website (http://www.babcp.com).

The BABCP is the lead organisation for CBT in the UK and hold a list of accredited CBT therapists that you can search for within your area (http://www.cbtregisteruk.com/Default.aspx)

It sounds like your daughter has been assessed as being most suitable for CBT. If you do decide to look on any of the other registers already mentioned in the thread or go by word of mouth, I would exercise caution. Some therapists have no qualms in saying they are experienced in CBT. As Racheldevon has pointed out, it may be that they have just completed a short course. Obviously each therapist is different, but I would always read their info carefully and ask as well what their CBT training actually entailed.

The CBT therapists on the BABCP list will have all completed an intense, robust course of training and used the approach with a minimum number of patients. In order to be accredited, there are set minimum guidelines which have to be reached. My thoughts are that if you are looking for an accredited CBT therapist specifically, the BABCP register is going to be the most reliable register for you.

You may also want to check out AnxietyUK (http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/). They have resources you can access as well as offering an email, live chat and helpline service. You might decide to use this whilst your daughter is on the CAMHS waiting list, or just something to give you/your daughter extra support/information in the meantime.

Wishing you and your daughter the best for the future.

HTH

Floss

tomtontom wrote: »

An OOA referral would be very unusual for mental health services, a funding agreement would need to be in place first and this is likely to take longer than any referral.

Sadly MH services are a long way behind other areas of medicine in terms of accessing treatment

It depends on the Trust with responsibility for MH and their relationships with the local CCGs. They do happen, and it maybe that treatment is available in another town covered by that Trust. For example, in my county MH is countywide, not by town.

misskat0

Depending on her age, you would be better off with a specialist child psychotherapist. The Association of Child Psychotherapists is the main accredited organisation. Try www dot childpsychotherapy dot org dot uk .
If in London, I think young people can self-refer to the Tavistock Clinic still, but couldn't speak for the waiting list (it's still CAMHS). Or Anna Freud Centre, Brandon Centre?
Good luck!