If you could pay for counselling would you?How?

[Sothisishowitfeels]

Sorry if this is a daft question!snd I hope I don't offend anyone in any way at all here.
I have been reffered for counselling for depression by my gp and am now on a waiting list. I don't know what sort of thing it will be it says "sessions with a phsychological well being practitioner . I am told it could be quite a while before I hear anything .

I do have a bit of spare money I could pay for this which I am assuming means it would quicker but I have googled and I am really really confused. I don't know what kind of thing I need or even if it is a good idea at all

Would it be better to wait and do it through my gp?

If you were me what would you do?

I paid for my counselling but I knew why I was sad and what I wanted to work on. I also had a much better paid job than the one I do now. I could afford to make a mistake.

It worked out well for me. I will probably go back for more soon. I like paying because it makes me feel in control. I choose who I see and as she does person-centred counselling so I get to set the agenda. Also it makes me feel like I'm acknowledging I'm worth it and the service I get is worth prioritising over other things I could spend money on.

Do you know anyone who could recommend a counsellor as I have talked to others who didn't feel they got a good service.

Good luck with whatever course you take.

they have to be accredited , as anyone can call them selves a counsellor.
my gp referred me to the mht - who gave me a local list who they class as ok to use, some of them take voluntary contributions(put payment in envelope and envelope in box )
(you could ask the gp for a local list.)

My auntie is paying for my counselling because she wanted me to get help fast.

Thank god for my counsellor is all I can say. I have dragged myself out of bed to go on many occasion but I have needed to go. It does help so much.

My dad paid for my counselling because of the waiting list for nhs. I have a counselling qualification myself so I knew what I was looking for in terms of approach, but tbh the most important thing is having a good relationship with the counsellor. Look for someone accredited and registered with the BACP as people say and perhaps google the approaches they mention on their website to see if it sounds right for you. The counsellors on the NHS would tend to be either person centred counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (cbt) in my experience

Find BACP registered people and phone for a chat...I tried 4 for an initial session then went with my favourite. A personal recommendation is useful but failing that I chose from people who were ear where I live and had appointments at times that suited me

Thanks ! If I do do this will this affect things with my gp at all? As in if I decide to go back and get medication etc? I don't want to upset things there!

I wouldn't tell your GP for now. If you find a private counsellor through the BACP they won't pass information to your doctor. You could also look for low cost charity services in your area, some have them.

The NHS referral sounds like CBT and personally I have doubts about whether these wellbeing practitioners are a par on someone who's had a full experiential training.