To ask if counselling really does make a difference?

[PIVOTT]

I'm sceptical purely because I can't imagine myself feeling differently about my situation right now no matter how many times I go over it with someone.

Recently going through a lot with fertility issues and miscarriages and it's been suggested to me quite a lot that I try some form of counselling to help me with my anxiety.

I struggle a lot with anxiety about all sorts of situations but particularly health and my relationship and I just feel unable to love or even like myself at all at the moment. I feel completely uncomfortable in my own body now because of the problems I'm having and if I'm honest, I pretty much hate myself right now.

I've looked into it and privately it seems so expensive. I could speak with my GP but I imagine (and remember from previous experience) the waiting list would be huge anyway.

Those of you that have had it before for whatever reasons, was it beneficial and were you glad you spent the money in the end?

Just throwing EMDR therapy in to the mix. I've had counselling and CBT, neither really made a difference, and I tried them multiple times.
What did help was EMDR, goes to the root of the issue. I had a lot of trouble, severe anxiety attacks etc but mine came from my dad's suicide/hard childhood/emotional abuse which left me hating myself, considering myself ugly and worthless etc. It was expensive though and I said funded, but totally worth it for me

OP, I think some organisations might start off with an intake appointment, where you describe your circumstances and what you are hoping to achieve, and they can then consider what sort of counselling might be most appropriate. Good luck making that first contact

GP is likely to recommend CBT. NHS like it because it's generally shorter term, and more solutions focused. IME though, the longer term counselling and therapy has been more useful as has helped me come to terms with the issues underlying my anxiety.
I've had a few years of counselling and it has changed my life. Perhaps not in the way I thought it would when I started, but I have gained so much self acceptance as peace of mind throughout the process.

@Footsall
It sounds like you had an excellent CBT therapist. And presumably more than the standard 6 sessions the NHS tends to provide?

My sessions were not so in-depth. I've had one good CBT therapist (sessions were helpful even though they were quite limited, they were enough for me at the time) and one useless one.

As far as I understand, the training / qualification requirements for CBT therapists are more limited than for counsellors and psychotherapists.

I would ask GP what's available and maybe try referral/self-referral for both CBT and regular counselling, see what waiting times are like and see how the assessments go.

Yes, it helps. However you need to find the right counsellor for you. It took me four attempts before I felt comfortable with my therapist.
For example, I was attending due to General Anxiety Disorder and one therapist kept telling me to have A relaxing bath and zone out before bed. I explained I didn't take baths and yet...she still suggested it for the next four sessions.
So, do some research. See if you can have a 'chemistry call' or an initial session to see if you match or clash...once you find the right therapist you will be amazed at how you see other alternative ways of thinking. Best thing I ever did!

I saw a counsellor for six months after a series of bereavements including a miscarriage and honestly don't know how I'd have got through without it. You need to find the right person. Life is really good now. Good luck xx

@AnotherEmma

Yes I was given a precautionary 10 sessions to start but it was governed by me and could have been longer or shorter. I actually said around week 7 that I was feeling ready to wrap it up.
I self referred but it turns out that my area have an excellent service called Mind and it is completely free and client led. I believe that in our area, CBT is only provided by trained councillors.

Yes Mind is a national charity and they are another option if you are looking for alternatives to the NHS. There are often other local charities that offer therapy too.

Where are you OP?
If you’re in Newcastle there’s an amazing councilling service called mindful therapies which is donation based and they have a really short waiting list.