Anyone had counselling?

[Squirrelfruitandnutkin]

I self referred to the psychological therapies team, thinking maybe I’d have some CBT to help with depression. They’ve arranged an assessment appointment with a counsellor for me.

Which is fine, but I’m not sure how it all works. I don’t have a thing that has triggered my depression, so I’m not sure what we’ll talk about iyswim.

I probably shouldn’t stress over this but I tend to over analyse and get anxious when I’m depressed too.

Anyone have anything they want to share about how it all works?

Yes I've had counselling on several occasions over the years for very different reasons and sometimes for nothing obvious. It's different for everyone and every counsellor is also different. Give it a go, chances are it will do more good than harm and it gives you an opportunity to explore why you are feeling what you are feeling iykwim?!!! I'm just about to arrange some sessions for myself and DH as we have a big life changing decision to make and need to keep our heads clear as we've not been communicating very well. Hoping this will get us back on track.

Have a think about how you would like to feel if you could, I find this a good starting point. Good luck

Thanks S0up

I’ll try and keep an open mind, it’d be great to get to a point where I could manage without needing the ADs.

I had counselling for a year or so, it was brilliant. I still needed my ADs, but it helped me get my head around my feelings and what I thought and how I felt about certain things. Once I’d clarified that I found it much easier to live my normal life without going around in circles with my thoughts.

It also taught me some good strategies for dealing with stressful things and situations so I’ve not needed to go back, although i would if I needed to.

I didn’t have any one cause of my depression, and while it didn’t cure it by itself it made it a lot easier to live with.

I had some counselling that didn’t work to well then after a bad patch doctor asked me to self refer to mental health team. I had the initial assessment and they then sent me for 10 weeks CBT. I wanted to quit after the first one but stuck with it and it has helped me so much to change my way of thinking. Was on ADs for nearly 10 years and came off them when I became pregnant with my daughter and over 3 years later not needed them since. I know everyone is very different but I wouldn’t have my kids if I hadn’t of done it and it has helped me at work too.
I had to have a telephone assessment, then meeting at the mental health clinic then the CBT was at the local surgery. Was given exercises to work through at home in a book and online, and a cd to listen too.

Hmm, not sure about the counselling yet. Turns out I’ve got 6 sessions of counselling, done first one today.
It was a bit weird, I’m quite a guarded/ private person so talking to a stranger is not easy.
Will see how it goes...

6 sessions is not a lot, could take you longer than that to feel comfortable with your counsellor. As long as you feel safe and don't feel that it's detrimental to you, I'd stick with it - unless you pay privately for counselling, it is so hard to get help with your mental health, I'd really recommend taking everything you can get...

CBT won't give you a chance to explore why you feel like you do. It's all about changing your thought patterns and behaviours. If you want to talk more deeply and get to the root of your feelings, CBT won't do that, but if what you want is a way to change how you respond to negative feelings then it may well be a big help

I self referred and get 6 sessions on Nhs. I’m not sure what happens, if I can pay privately for more?
I’ve been put down for counselling based on the questionnaire I filled in. I had thought CBT would be more useful as I want to have tools to help me cope, but maybe I need to know what causes/d it?