Please or to access all these features

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Just want a rant about 'staff counselling'

5 replies

goindowntoyasgursfarm · 13/05/2015 22:20

My employer's website has a page claiming they offer free staff counselling through an external service. You phone a freephone number and are 'triaged' to assess what kind of support you need. It then just says that telephone counselling consists of 30 minute sessions by phone, to which there is unlimited access on an ad-hoc basis.'

Then it says that face-to-face counselling may be offered as well, and the first session would take place within 5 days if suitable.

Soooo, after months of trying to ignore my problems with anger, irritability and just generally being shite to my children at times (because it's intermittent), I finally plucked up the courage to call. Poured my heart out to triage woman in tears. She ummed and ahhhed for a bit and then told me I would benefit from sustained, consistent sessions with a trained counsellor and gave me three different web addresses of counsellor directories I could go and look at. That was it. And of course these ones are all £40/hour a pop. I could cry, but I was just a bit stunned at the time and didn't question what she said. But now I'm angry at how misleading the so-called 'free staff counselling' turned out to be!!

Yes I know I should speak to GP but I feel back to square one. Sad

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 13/05/2015 22:32

Oh, no, that's really misleading. You should complain.

The GP can refer you for CBT, but it can take a long time to get fixed up with a counsellor.

Have you considered antidepressants?

goindowntoyasgursfarm · 14/05/2015 07:48

I know I need to see the GP, thanks hidden, just don't really know how to word things. Never done this before. I feel if I ask to get referred for CBT I will need to prove I need it, with really good evidence, and just saying 'I get irritable and angry sometimes' isn't going to cut it. Feel doc will just come out with platitudes about needing to relax or something.

Don't want to go on ADs and I honestly don't think it's bad enough for that.

OP posts:
hiddenhome · 14/05/2015 11:52

Well, if it's bothering you enough to phone the helpline and end up in tears and pouring your heart out, then I'd say it's bad enough to warrant help.

gingerbreadmam · 14/05/2015 12:03

can you speak to hr incase its crossed wires?

my work offer free counselling limited to 6 sessions but you can go again after a 6 month break or with approval from hr.

hope youre ok Thanks

PeppermintCrayon · 19/05/2015 10:58

I think it sounds like crossed wires. The face to face counselling offered by EAP type schemes is usually only a few sessions and it sounds like you need more than that.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page