How do I go about finding a councillor?

[lifesnotgood]

I've had a lot of sh*t going on in my life over the past 5 years or so, which has resulted in me doing some pretty stupid things financially. Something is not right in my head, I need help and I am determined to get it sorted. I have never talked through what has happened to me health wise and neither have I ever discussed my childhood, which was also pretty screwed up. Things came to a head with dh last week and although he was initially appaulled, he's a good bloke and he's still here, as ever he will be. I owe it to him to sort myself out, my blood pressure is high too, so I probably owe it to myself too. Where do I start? Can I just pick a name out of the phone book or do I need to go via the doctor and will it take forever? Now I'm ready to get myself sorted, I don't want to wait weeks.
Thanks.

Sorry to hear things have been so bad for you. My aunt, who is a therapist, recommends finding a counsellor through the British Association of Counsellors and Therapists website www.bacp.co.uk. You can search by area and they detail how they work (which counselling techniques they use etc). I've found someone via this route (also googled her and found her own separate website), called her last week and am seeing her tomorrow. It would have taken months to see someone via my GP's surgery and I don't want to wait that long. Good luck in finding someone.

Repost spelling it counsellor as you will get more responses.

I thought you meant a council worker!

Your GP should be bale to help though.

Hi, I suffer from depression and have recently started seeing a counsellor. I went to my gp and he gave the telephone number of the counselling servcie through the NHS in my area. It is a self referral service. I got an appointment within two weeks and they come to my gp's surgery so I don't even have to travel. So it may be worth trying the gp first as may not necessarily have to wait.

I knew that was the wrong spelling, but my mangled brain couldn't work out what it should be!

Thanks for your help everyone, I think thats all the bases covered, so I can move on from here. Its tricky talking about it on here, since one of my close friends uses this board. And I'm quite a regular btw! I think I might put the 'feeling depressed' topic back on my list, its time I faced up to things.

Don't worry I knew what you meant and so will others. You posted under feeling depressed.

Go to your GP

Strike whilst the iron is hot. I have spoken to the GP surgery and sadly I have to go through them and get a referral. I have booked an appointment to see him though, typically thats not for another week.

I wasn't having a go.

I was just trying to help you get more responses.

How are you feeling now?

I know you weren't NAB, no offence taken at all.

Not feeling great about myself atm. My head has felt like its going to explode all day. Not good, considering I have a 'non urgent' appointment about my blood pressure next week. I know exactly why its high and hopefully talking with someone and most of all my dh, it'll come down.

I can't believe I've done what I have to my d,dh. He has been nothing but a wonderful husband and I've abused it. Only in the last 5 years or so and I've really have had some sh*t to deal with. I had 2 ep's within six months, both really bad, both blue lights and grave. BUT I'm still here, as is DH and LO. I am going to get this sorted and THANK GOD it is with the support of my DH.

You can get through this. It will take time and you will be proud that you have survived. Take one thing at a time. I wish you lots and lots of luck.