Is there any way to get free counselling without going through your GP?

[redheart]

Just wondered really. Don't want to bore you with all the details as it is lengthy but just wondered if there is any where that this is possible?

Anything online too? I like children can access live councelling chat sessions via websites such as childline. Is there anything similar for adults?

what about the samaritians?

Not sure how many offer free (I had some via our local children's centre/ HV) but there are charities offering low cost counselling. It is usually person centred counselling, meaning the sessions allow you to talk things through with a counsellor helping you along and acting as a mirror an listener. Specific forms of therapy like CBT will not be available that way.

Just google the name of your town or nearest reasonable sized town plus charity counselling and see what comes up.

Why do you not want to go through your GP? It'll be the quickest and easiest way.

I had some through children's centre as well.

It probably depends on your circumstances and the reason you want it, because there might be specific charities which offer counselling in your situation. I understand if you don't want to say but it might offer a starting point to google?

I had free counselling via a referral from my HV. IME fuckity counselling through gp is incredibly slow - at least where I live - as waiting list is months long. When I saw the counsellor through my HV it was within a couple weeks though I admit that I don't know if that was the norm.

I don't suppose you are an employee of your county council?
My CC have a service called Employee Assist which offers 6 free relate sessions (or more if needed) to employees - I cannot fault it.

What about MIND? They may do a number of free sessions - they did in the past where I live.

the service our local GP's refer to, you can self refer to without the GP. Can't remember how I found out, think the leaflet was at the children's centre.

ButWhyIsTheGinGone - technically I am - I don't work directly in their offices, I am in a school but technically still employed by them! :)

MIND is a good starting point to finding out about free local services.

Thank you

On-line self-help/CBT:

MoodJuice

MoodGym

This is a good site too

HTH

Thanks for those links