Problem with counsellor

[timeistight]

Assessed 1 December, assessed again 23 January, finally started counselling 9 May. Have had two sessions and now counsellor says she can't see me any more at the time we agreed. I work FT and suggested four time slots. After two sessions she says she can't do any of these as she is seeing another client and is offering to put me on the waiting list again.

Given my issues with abandonment and lack of self-worth , of which she is well aware, this is not helpful.

Should I complain to her governing body?

Sorry to hear this OP, it doesn't sound great at all. Have you been referred by anyone or did you just book directly yourself?

When I've been for counselling I know it included being able to see me at a regular time slot in a timely manner but it was via a private workplace employee support scheme so not sure if that just the contract with the scheme which paid for it.

If you did book directly yourself, I'd definitely look up which governing body they are with and follow it up.

If it's NHS it may be more tricky and I don't know how it's supposed to work, but I would have though once you are on the books you should be able to get your treatment course done in reasonable time. Again, worth a follow up.

Its a Christian organisation in my town. I was referred by IAPTS.

Yes, complain to IAPTS, this is not on. Sorry it's been so hard for you to get what you need :(

I think this is a common problem. I know I seem to start with a particular slot but sooner or later there is a change, or a wait to hear each week when it will be etc. I think that it must be difficult for the practitioner to organise as they rely on others also agreeing to slots.

Working FT and trying to fit in counselling creates additional stress just when you don't need it.

Sorry to hear you are having problems OP. It may be outside her control. Try not to take it too personally.

I went to a specific counsellor because her location and time slot was the only one I could make work. I've had a couple of good counsellors. This one was awful and I would have been better off not going at all, but out of desperation saw her for a year. I regret not being more open with work so I could attend sessions with someone more suitable.

If you think this counsellor can help you, it's worth trying to see how you can see her, either at a later date or by coming to an arrangement with work.