Depression

[purplepigs]

Good morning.
I wanted to know if any one has ever used a private counsellor for depression, anxiety or suicidal thoughts rather than your GP and what are your views and experiences?

Thank you

Yes - and it was the best thing I could've done at the time. I'd tried NHS counselling through the GP but it was at awkward times during the day (I work full time and my employer at the time wasn't particularly sympathetic). Private counswlling is also pricey but I'm so grateful I was in a position to be able to afford it, I couldn't put a price on my mental health.

The trick is finding the right counsellor for you though. If you're not gelling after a few sessions, keep looking and don't give up on the process. Good luck

Yes - it saved my daughter's life after CAMHS thought that an overdose wasn't enough of a reason to see her.

Interesting to read both ur comments. I did wonder a NHS take a long while n it is really hard to get. My employer offers welfare but I don't know if I want to open up to someone who then writes stuff down and it goes on my file ...... debating going private!?

I once funded a family members private therapy. It all depends how you view the cost IMO.
Once a month at £80 per session works out at about £2.60 a day. About the price of a cappuccino. Easy to give up (or something similar) for therapy.

Yes I paid for private counselling and it was worth it. I initially went twice per week, then weekly. Did it for about 18 months reducing frequency and it came to a natural conclusion.

Yes, I did because the waiting list for NHS therapy (which I eventually got) was well over a year.
I went weekly initially and then bi-monthly. It helped me open up a little - something I find very hard to do - and in a way prepared me for the NHS therapy which was more hardcore.

If you do go down that route, have a look at the BACP or UKCP websites; they're the professonal bodies for therapists in the UK, and any decent therapist should be a member of one of them. It at least means there's a code of ethics that they will adhere to, and should be suitably qualified. Any joe soap can set themselves up as a therapist without being properly qualified or experienced, so it's worth going through a professional body to find a decent one.