WWYD? Is this worth getting into debt for? (Therapy)

[Isabella83]

I’ve had an eating disorder since my teenage years (I’m now 32). After going down the NHS route and hitting a brick wall, I’ve looked at going private.

It would cost £140 per 50 minute session, with a minimum of 12 sessions required to really see the benefits.

My partner has offered to get a £5000 loan to help fund this, as we literally have no money spare. We’re looking to save money for a house and I feel like this would set us back so far

Do I wait it out and see if I can try to help myself more? I’ve got lots of self help books and I know the general advice given for people in my position. It’s just so difficult.

What would you do?

Absolutely not, in my opinion. The stress of the debt would place huge pressure on the therapy to be beneficial - and that can be really hit or miss.

My DH had to have therapy for OCD and we ‘wasted’ a lot of money before he found the right therapist.

I would say you need it if you’ve already tried everything else. But £140 per session is crazy! His were £95 per session which I thought was very steep, but he needed the specialist help. Is there really no other cheaper options?

Why as much of a loan? Is there not a balance? If you are saving for a house perhaps in the short term it would be better used for this op, your health is really really important

If you have no money spare then how is the loan being repaid?

£14p is very expensive for therapy, where I am you’d get a decent, well qualified, experienced therapist for around £60 per session.

I'd be worried that the stress of the debt would counteract any benefit.

There is no guarantee that the first therapist you try will be the right therapist, or that 12 sessions will be the right amount.

I'd keep trying through the NHS or maybe a charity if that's an option?

Hi OP, I would try and find a more affordable therapist and then commit to something longer term. It is an awful lot of pressure on you otherwise. Therapy hasn't worked on me in any sort of prescribed way that I went in imagining it would.

Have you managed to put away anything at all? unclear by op.. Only take the loan if you have no other way or means, Why do you feel you have hit a brick wall with the NHS? In my opinion your health needs to come first best of luck

That's a huge sum for a 50 minute session.

That is a lot, and a big minimum commitment too. Where have you found this therapist?

Good therapy is not cheap, it’s true, but there are more affordable options. I know you need someone experienced with eating disorders but this does sound alarmingly high and the minimum number of sessions is spiking my ‘caution!’ response.

Also, what sort of treatment have you had before, and what sort of therapy is this that they’re offering?

£140 for 50 minutes?? Please don’t! Please look for other therapists who charge far less than this.

That is very expensive and I doubt you’d be ‘cured’ at the end of it. It doesn’t really work like that. Therapy is often a lifetimes work !
I’ve heard a specialist eating disorder coach is very helpful, and might be better than a general therapist

I think that the therapy would be worth the loan if your ED is affecting you to such a degree that it's having a significant impact on your life, which it sounds like it possibly is for you to have posted this?

£140 is actually about average for an experienced senior psychologist. A counsellor or psychotherapist would possibly be less, but EDs are pretty complex so need someone experienced. I've had counsellors who have actually caused more damage due to not fully understanding my condition.

myonlinetherapy.com/cost-to-see-a-psychologist/

Dr Amy Johnson gives good advice on youtube, she suffered an eating disorder herself, l haven' t suffered an eating disorder but she also talks about anxiety etc. l think she also runs the Little School of Big Change website which is also helpful. When my son suffered an anxiety and panic disorder it was literally impossible to get any kind of help for him, l read tons of books and listened to everything l could on youtube, Tedtalks ,podcasts etc, to be honest it proved more beneficial than when eventually he did get referred to Cahms, they just gave us very similar information.

I presume that is for a Consultant Clinical Psychologist specialising in eating disorders, in which case it is the going rate. If you are going to to do this, I would stick with the Consultant CP, not mess around with therapists/counsellors (anyone can call themselves one).

www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/Resources/Looking-After-Yourself/Disordered-Eating

Work through this self help booklet. It's pretty much all I did in treatment.
Hope you find it helpful.

Why £5000 - why not £1800?

I would if I had to, yes.