Counselling not available on nhs?

[Brightlightbulb]

Several years ago I had counselling through the nhs. The counsellor told me that CBT wouldn't have been suitable for me.

I have tried to access counselling again and been told that my local nhs mental health service doesn't offer counselling, only cbt and they've just given me a list of private counsellors and discharged me despite confirming that I'm suffering from depression.

Am I just unlucky where I live or has the nhs decided that they no longer offer counselling?

I couldn't access counselling either and this was after being urgently referred to secondary care as a suicide risk. I had 4 assessments over the course of a year, was told I needed counselling with a psychologist but they has no one available and would contact me when available. That was 3 years ago.

I went private.

Do you have access via work hr- our employees can and do have access to a helpline which triages and then refers for up to 6 sessions. Perkbox, Croner, Bright HR. We never know. Otherwise there’s a very good case for paying for it yourself, in terms of your buy in and commitment.

What else are you doing for your MH?

Thanks for the replies.

I'm self employed so no access to HR counselling.

Maybe I'll have to source it and pay for it myself and maybe try cbt?

What am I doing for my mental health? Trying to be kind to myself. Not working too much. I'm physically active and eat a healthy diet. Minimal caffeine, virtually no alcohol. Practising good sleep hygiene. Trying HRT. I do feel that I just want someone to listen to me, to get my feelings out and then I can move forward.

@nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut

I'm sorry you didn't get the help you desperately needed.

Did you find the probate counselling helpful?

It's tax deductible so you can claim it in your list of self assessment at the end of the year

I totally understand.
I’m trying to get counselling for my teenage child and even with private medical insurance it isn’t easy.
They won’t specifically cover counselling and due to the age say they have to see a psychologist first.
Even privately the wait is 20 weeks so referred to a clinical psychologist instead.
Finally found one who will put them in their 4 month waiting list, the rest are full up and that’s that.

Mental health help really needs a huge boost, unfortunately there just isn’t enough therapists around.

Good luck finding somebody

I did, yes, I'm still with him now and making steady progress.

Have a look at the mental health charities in your area. Many do offer counselling, although it is time limited.

Rather than deciding on the therapy required you should be able to be referred to NHS mental health services for treatment of depression. Following assessment there should be a joint decision about what kind of therapy would be best e.g. CBT, counselling or something else e.g. CFT. Just because a counsellor said that CBT wouldn't be suitable doesn't necessarily mean it wouldn't. Worth a try anyway.