I received the copy of the referral letter for pyschotherapy today

[gobsmacked]

It all sounds so hideous, me/my life. I think it sounds awful written down in the way it has been, it sounds worse than it was. Or maybe it is that bad to someone who hasn't had those issues.

Not everything in the letter is entirely accurate either. It really worries me that a letter that has so much personal information about me, is just dropped into a letter box. What if it got lost in the post, or someone else gets to see it?

If receiving the letter upset me, how am I going to cope with the counselling?

The letter said I was very depressed as well, I don't know if I am. I think I feel miserable a lot of the time and I find it hard to cope, is that being depressed? Or is it just me being a miserable cow and generally useless? God, I'm confused now.

[leoleo]

Hi. I think everything seems worse in 'offical' language. Possibly the GP has to say it is that serious in order to have the referal.
The letter will be upsetting I think because it 'black and whites' everything? Whereas once you are in front of a councellor then you'll be talking. You may find it upsetting in the begining but in a good way and a release of feelings?

How are you feeling about going?

[jenk1]

gobsmacked -its not very nice reading an offical letter is it especially when ithas to do with mental health.

when i was dx,s with asperger syndrome i asked the consultant to send me a copy of his summaries, i got upset reading it as i didnt realise how i came across to other people.

but now looking back it was a good/positive thing because it got me the help i so desperately needed/still need, i go to a wonderful mental health centre and my psychotherapist is amazing.

its a shock, so be kind to yourself and i hope you receive the help that you want/need

jen
x

[Wisteria]

your GP may well have exaggerated things to ensure you get the help you need, try not to take too seriously, if it gets you some counselling then it's worth it

[bev1e]

gobsmacked, I was referred recently for some CBT concerning various phobias I have. Like you I was amazed that my whole life was contained within a couple of pages of a letter BUT my letter had been opened and resealed with Royal Mail tape! I was absolutely mortified that someone has probably read all that info about me but life goes on...

On the plus side I have now had several sessions with a therapist and can't believe I waited so long to get myself sorted. Whilst I'm a long way from being where I want to be already I'm starting to see a difference.

Discuss with your consellor any of the areas contained within the letter you don't feel to be accurate. Good luck.

[gobsmacked]

There were actually 2 letters, one was a letter to my GP, giving them a brief outline and asking them to prescribe AD's. The other was to the 'Intake Team' and had lots more information.

My referral has been done by a counsellor from CAMHS who I've been seeing about some problems with my ds. I realise I've probably outed myself, but I just couldn't bear to post this under my normal name.

That must have been horrible Bev, thinking that someone else has read it. Part of my worry comes from the fact that I know a copy of the letter will be put into ds's file, what if they send it to the school by mistake or at some stage in the future, exp asks to see ds's notes and blames me for absoultely everything.

I'm not really looking forward to going Leo, I'm ok most of the time, but when I have to talk about stuff, it leaves me very emotional for a few days. Which is weird, because I always say that I can handle what happened to me. I don't even know what I'm talking about actually, I can't get it straight in my head or say what I want to say.

[leoleo]

That is the idea of councelling - talking about it in a safe environment where it stays between you and the councellor.
You will feel emotional until you start to put it in order in your own mind and then start working through what happened and how you feel.
You are prob putting a brave face on by saying you can hendle it and that would also be why you've found that letter upsetting.

[Wisteria]

The majority of clients come to counselling with no clear idea of what they are there to say or how to begin.

Hopefully you'll get a good counsellor who will get to know you thoroughly by asking questions and doing what they are trained to do and will eventually lead you to a place where you can understand yourself fully.

Hope it all goes well for you.

If you are worried about the record keeping aspect you can ask that any reference to your own issues be kept separately to your son's file (if they are not already, do check on that) for the reasons you mention. Your exp should not have access to any of your medical records. Same for the school - I think you would be notified if any personal records would be passed on to a third party first.

[bev1e]

I would definitely raise the record keeping issue. If you are concerned about confidentiality then you need to raise it at the beginning of your sessions in order that you feel you can open up fully.

[kayjayel]

Definitely do what wisteria said - in a CAMHS file they should keep personal info about you separate in a '3rd party notes' section. So that its there if someone working with your family has relevant information, but can only be disclosed with your consent and will NOT be released with the rest of your sons notes. Some people better than others at doing this, and some services have better note systems - but they can always add a separate section in for you.

A copy of the referral letter shouldn't necessarily be kept in your son's file - instead they can just record that they made the referral. The letter will be kept in the file you then have with the adult service so no need for a copy in CAMHS.

You're completely in the right to check this out and insist on your rights.