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What type of therapy do I need?

33 replies

payperview · 08/01/2019 12:53

I've given up on the NHS. I know I need a long course of proper therapy. I suffered with depression and suicidal thoughts for many years. I have been raped, and grew up in an abusive home. I have PTSD from my LOs birth 3 years ago. It still haunts me now. I think my childhood broke me.. I'm not a good person because my childhood left me unable to think like normal people do.

I just want a healthy mind. I don't really know who I am or how to think like others do. I've been this way for so long and I don't know how to stop it.

I know I need to just get it all out. To talk through minute details of what I've been through. I need someone to listen. But I don't know where to start. I've tried many different medications, but they don't release the thoughts from my head.

Can someone please recommend what type of therapist I need?

OP posts:
payperview · 25/01/2019 00:07

I can't find anyone cheaper.

OP posts:
Tortycat · 25/01/2019 00:17

what have you been offered on the nhs op? NICE guidelines recommend trauma focussed cbt for ptsd, 12-20+ sessions i think, so you should be offered that even if you have to wait a while. i know services are patchy and overstretched, but sometimes knowing what you're entitled to can help.

i agree a clinical psychologist experienced in trauma would be the ideal but a cbt therapist (babcp accredited) who has trauma experience would potentially also be good and cheaper. Best of luck.

TheClitterati · 25/01/2019 00:27

I saw a Jungian psychotherapist several years ago who really helped me process a lot of trauma from earlier in my life.

ChristmaspArti · 25/01/2019 07:58

Payperview. Have you used the bacp link (3rd post on this thread) to look for a psychotherapist? Look for someone describing themselves as a psychotherapist not just a therapist or counsellor. If they have some years of experience they could well be helpful. Seriously, even if you can't afford a clinical psychologist, a good experienced psychotherapist might still really help ( and be cheaper).

GourmetGold · 26/01/2019 09:53

Hi OP, I had an emotionally abusive childhood and had several breakdowns, depressed most of my life. I've found CBT really good, I don't agree that it can't deal with severe trauma. I found I was telling myself I was 'defective' because I'd been abused... like it was because something was very wrong with me that caused people to be abusive towards me. The CBT dealt with these type of thoughts & I've been able to be free of depression & enjoy life ...I have to keep doing the exercises weekly, but they do work.
I wanted CBT through the NHS but there was a year's waiting list & GP wouldn't refer me unless I agreed to take AD drugs which I refused. I paid privately, but was disappointed to find the therapist, though advertising as a CBT therapist, didn't actually seem to do any...it was just chatting & I was getting nowhere!! And extremely ££££!! I actually wonder how many CBT therapists really are doing CBT...or are actually any good as therapists!!

I bought self help CBT books & have found them invaluable, they've changed my life .... unfortunately I guess many people believe books aren't enough for their problems, such a shame. I tried about 4 different therapists & these books have been a million times better & cheap!!
The author is a 'pioneer' in CBT ... especially in newer techniques for trauma, he's world renowned (he wrote first ever CBT book) & treats Hollywood stars, top politicians etc.... you're getting his expertise for a few pounds. He comes across as extremely compassionate & has a nice sense of humour, which make the books enjoyable.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0380810336/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_USctCbS9KD56X?tag=mumsnetforum-21

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0091825628/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_.TctCbS2KJGP3?tag=mumsnetforum-21

He has a website: feelinggood.com and does weekly podcasts, which are on his site & YouTube.

Here's a great interview with him:

GourmetGold · 26/01/2019 10:00

Just to say the second book '10 days..' has some of the newer techniques, the title is a bit unfortunate I think, as it makes it seem like a 'pop psychology' books, but it's not, it's like a workbook, with very effective psychological tools.

This therapist's review of the book is really good IMO (she uses it for her young clients, but it's for adults too):

Bumpsadaisie · 26/01/2019 10:46

I see you have tried CBT - which can be really useful as a way of managing your difficulties but I don't think necessarily helps with long standing difficulties at the root.

You sound like you have reached the point where you realise you want to do something longer term and I do think that real change does take time, a lot of time, sitting with someone week by week, even several times a week (in my case!). It's a slow slow process to achieve a real shift, almost like you have to take the time to grow up and develop all over again, but this time in the presence of a thoughtful, responsive, containing (and sometimes challenging!) other person, who can truly make a space for you without thrusting themselves into that space.

If you are thinking about psychodynamic or psychoanalytic psychotherapy, then do choose someone who is on the BPC register, which is the specialist body for that type of therapy.

www.bpc.org.uk

All psychotherapists listed there have done years of training as well as years of work on themselves in their own therapy, without which you can't be registered.

The BACP register is also not a bad place to look but it includes people who may have only done counselling diplomas and limited time of their own therapy.

Many psychotherapists will charge around £50 an hour and maybe less if you are on a lower income. In addition depending on where you are you may be able to access low cost therapy with trainees who are nearing the end of their training. This is better than it sounds - trainees are closely supervised by senior clinicians and often are doing the training after a long career in eg psychiatry, clinical psychology.

The Institute of Psychoanalysis for example has a clinic in London and also a service in the North (based in Leeds) where you could maybe get low cost therapy. You could have a full psychoanalysis which is five times a week - this would be a big commitment and seem totally crazy, but it would also be life changing. You simply can't spend that amount of time with an analyst and not be changed.

www.psychoanalysis.org.uk/iopa-clinics/low-fee-scheme

You'd be surprised at what might be possible. My advice would be to just start a conversation with someone or some people. See a psychotherapist for a consultation, or phone the Institute and have a chat with them. Things might emerge that you can't yet know about.

Good luck, it sounds to me like you kind of know what you want.

GourmetGold · 27/01/2019 10:48

Well I've found CBT excellent & had severe depression from deep rooted difficulties!
Certainly better than any of the extremely expensive therapists I saw....who didn't even test how depressed I was with a checklist!... something I do myself now, they are contained in the books I use...I also test myself after doing the work to see if the CBT exercises are helping my score improve (they always do) ... something else no therapist has ever done!

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