How easy is it to access counselling on the NHS?

[Nothappy16]

I want to avoid going on medication however feel counselling might help. I need to get the ball rollomg to request via the GO, is it easy to get a referrral? Then waiting times?

Waiting times are long. I think some NHS places have self refferal but GP is your best bet.

most areas have self referral to talking services...if you have a quick google you should be able to see the one near you, It depends on your circumstances and the demans on the service how long the wait time is, i waited 3 weeks which I thoight was great.

It's likely to be a 3 month wait. You would probably get an assessment within a few weeks, but then be waiting months to actually receive counselling.

Also, the NHS tends to only offer CBT which often isn't the correct approach, depending on your needs.

You'd be better off finding a private counsellor and paying. Have a look on BACP website for people local to you.

I waited 3 months initially for 'Step 1' and then relapsed a few months afterwards. Waiting list for 'step 2' (longer course of CBT with a PHD level therapist and not just a 'wellbeing counsellor) was almost 6 months (they told me it was 3 when I signed up then keep extending because of 'staff shortage'). I paid for private as was in a total crisis (signed off work, barely able to function, unable to eat...) and it was worth it (though £££). In the end I found the NHS CBT therapist excellent, though I Exocet this was partly because I'd had several months of other therapy and time for the ADs to properly kick in and help.

Depends on your area. Where I am there is no nhs mental heath support except medication or in patient treatment.

If you want counselling you need to source a voluntary organisation yourself and hope that you don't know someone who volunteers there.

@nothapppy16 you can refer yourself for talking therapies via this link

beta.nhs.uk/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/check

It’s free I had my asssesment very quickly but my wait time for therapy is 5 weeks but it depends where you live I live in London so it’s going to be a long wait.

This is therapy though not conselling so not sure if it will be helpfu but it maybe.

I am also doing conselling at the moment which is coming to an end free through my work and I didn’t have to wait at all we have a employee assistance programme called empathy and a lot of employees offer it. Don’t know your employment situation but that was a quicker route than the gp for me

Should have said my experience was in London

I had to wait one year from referral to start of the therapy. I had cognitive analytical therapy, 16 sessions.

Took me 6 months and got 6 utterly useless CBT sessions.

I went private and ended up having 5 years of therapy to deal with the issues.

I waited about four months via my Gp, and they had a strict policy about rearranging/missing appointments.
I called to cancel due to a shift change and the message never got passed on - I was removed from all counselling services. (And they didn’t believe me 😡)
When your mental health is at its lowest point, that isn’t helpful.
I went private after that (no choice!) and found services much better.

I was on a waiting list for 6 months.
The treatment once I got it, was brilliant. But the timescale was difficult, considering when I accessed treatment in a military hospital, it was days between referral and actual treatment

I self referred last week, and just had a phonecall to schedule an initial assessment appointment with a councillor next week. It's interesting to see the above replies, and does make me slightly nervous to wait times, but it's my only option and I should have done this years ago.

Obviously there is the private therapy route, but it's often out of budget for people.

Reasonably easy to access 6-8 sessions of CBT type focused counselling via IAPT. lengthy wait times for longer psychotherapy

CBT for 6 sessions is easy. If you are actually severely depressed and need help the wait is long. I was fast tracked to a psychiatrist for assessment due to being an imminent suicide risk and I'm still waiting for help. It's been 19 months. All I have in the meantime are antidepressants.

If you can afford to go private or help your self in any way then do so. You'll be waiting a very very long time for NHS

If your working see if your employer has a well being agreement. My work paid for my counselling.

I self referred on the advice of my gp, had an assessment within the week and my first session 6 weeks later.
it isn't always a long list, it depends where you live.
I am NW/ Greater manchester/ Lancashire.

I'm currently waiting for the more intensive therapy, and the wait is between 6-9 months.

I desperately need help sooner, so am considering looking into private.

I am NW

Thanks for all the replies. I’m not sure if the difference between counselling and therepy that’s referred to above. Not sure what I actually need other than help!

It depends what your issues are? CBT is a short term therapy that gives you tools to help cope but doesn't delve into any past or deeper issues.