DP been refused counselling - is this right?

[Grockle]

I've been treated for depression in various places and always been offered counselling as well as ADs etc.

DP has been signed off work for almost 6 months with crippling depression. He sees mental health nurse every 3 weeks or so but nothing else. I told him to request counselling (because imho it might help him relearn to think more positively) but he says when he did, he was told there was no point til he is more stable. Which, I suppose, is fair enough but if the 8 months of assorted meds and seeing a mental health nurse hasn't helped, wouldn't it be worth a shot?

You do have to be in the right place to cope with counselling so if he was very unstable it can make sense not to have it yet, particularly with CBT which is what you seem to be talking about. 8 months is a fair time though, so maybe the thing to request is a review of meds and treatment to see what can be changed to make it work.

I know he needs to be in the right place but if he has no coping mechanisms, then how can he get there? I just mean someone helping him figure out what helps. Maybe I see things differently because I've had such specialist treatment in the past. I'll just have to be patient. Thank you

Does the MH nurse help with any strategies? I agree he could do with specialist counselling. It's the bog standard NHS CBT that he may struggle with.

Thanks madmouse - the nurse doesn't help a huge amount. I give up!

most counslleing/CBT is provided at tier 2 of MH services. If someone needs a MH nurse they ae by definitiion at level 3 or higher of input levels and thus too ill to qualify for counselling, the nurse should be providing some form of psychological input though

Thanks Derbyshire, that helps. I just don't think throwing meds at DP is helpful. Well, I know its not.

Is he having his meds reviewed by anyone? Why do you think that medication wont help him?

MH nurse reviews meds. I don't think they won't help - I'm sure he will find some that do. But in the meantime, there is nothing that helps. I think he needs help finding ways to cope.

If he is unstable he would not benefit from seeing a counsellor but should have access to higher tier services, including psychotherapy or psychiatry, depending on his condition. Meds and a MH nurse should surely be helping him access these services! Can you request a case review?