Anxiety in DD17

[tothesideoftheirlives]

I really would like a bit of advice on finding some therapy for my DD who has severe anxiety. She's 17 and it's steadily been getting worse over the past few years and she really feels like it's dominating her life. I've been trying to get a GP appointment, but it's been so difficult. As we could afford a private therapist I am now considering just trying to find a private therapist for her and bypassing the GP. As far as I can tell she'd probably get no help from CAMHS anyway as its so underfunded. So has anybody done this?
Do we just look through the listing on the BACUP website and see a few?
How did it work out if you've done this?

Thankyou

[GretchenBeckett]

My son was seen by CAMHS with anxiety that had turned into full blown OCD. CBT helped him but the main turning point was when he started medication. I know CAMHS get a bad press but they gave me my son back.

[MarthaSF321]

Hi
My DD had anxiety and panic attacks and we have gone private while waiting for CAMHS. We found a counsellor through the BACUP website. She works in a school so has lots of experience of teenagers and she's been so helpful with DD. If you can afford it I wouldn't hesitate to go private. We're starting CAMHS sessions in a few weeks so we may do them both or see which is helping more. Our counsellor has given DD strategies and a better understanding of what's happening when she gets panicky. Definitely helps.

[tothesideoftheirlives]

Thankyou for your replies.
gretchen it's good to hear CAMHS has been successful I've seen such negative stories about waiting times recently. I was also thinking that CBT would be a good place to start.
martha that sounds good and I think we will definitely go down the same route as we are very lucky to be able to afford it. I have found a therapist on the BAcP site tonight that has worked in schools, so I think we'll contact her.

[OhTheRoses]

IME CAMHS are not fit for purpose. Not in Surrey at least. I don't think it's necessarily about resources either. Much of it is about poor management and a failure to understand the needs of young people and the inability or unwillingness to actually listen and provide a flexible and responsive service.

[Bex134]

CAMHS varies so much area to area, why not call them and ask which is the best local service to support your sons needs? At least when you see gp you can tell them where you would like to be referred to.

[laurao12]

Sorry to hear about your daughters anxiety. I don't know if you have tried any other therapy with her? Hypnotherapy can really help anxiety and create long term positive changes. I don't know where you are living but there is a experienced hypnotherapist in Essex who has successfully treated children and teenagers for anxiety and phobias. Hos website is: //www.stuarthypnotist.com hope your daughter gets some relief from her anxiety soon.