Therapist, Psychologist or someone else? Where to start

[jb689]

I just wondered if anyone has any advice on how to go about seeing a private therapist or similar please? I'm not sure where to start as I don't know who to see. I have previously seen a private Psychologist but it wasn't a good match and I don't know if this is the best person to see after all.
This is impacting on my life and I would need to be able to have support with evidencing this which has previously been a no-go with the therapist I'd seen before. I have a history of OCD and anxiety, with a PTSD suggested along the way but I'm wondering if I may have something else with these being secondary, I'm not sure. Any advice please?

Have you considered hypnotherapy? I've recently qualified with Tim Box's Control System - he offers a free consultation so you'd be able to check that it's right for you with no commitment.

I’ve been to councillors before. Some I clicked with. Some I didn’t. So if you didn’t get on it could be just the wrong person rather than the wrong therapy for you. I haven’t tried the other therapies though so can’t comment.

Tbh I'd look for a psychiatrist. It will cost more but they may be able to treat with medication. It depends how long this has been going on, I guess and how ingrained or debilitating it is.

Thank you, I've tried counselling before but I think I need something with practical support too, I'm just not sure what that is yet. I had considered psychotherapy but again not sure whether that's right, it's a big commitment again and I don't want to see someone unnecessarily first of all.
I had thought of a Psychiatrist but I'm not sure medication is for me without support in other ways. It's quite ingrained but it's having a significant impact academically too that I'm wondering if it's something else as I just can't seem to get started on anything until it's last minute, no motivation and lost all enthusiasm for anything that it just feels like effort or existence without enjoyment for something I worked hard to get at, just amongst some of the things I feel at the moment.

@jb689

Thank you, I've tried counselling before but I think I need something with practical support too, I'm just not sure what that is yet. I had considered psychotherapy but again not sure whether that's right, it's a big commitment again and I don't want to see someone unnecessarily first of all. I had thought of a Psychiatrist but I'm not sure medication is for me without support in other ways. It's quite ingrained but it's having a significant impact academically too that I'm wondering if it's something else as I just can't seem to get started on anything until it's last minute, no motivation and lost all enthusiasm for anything that it just feels like effort or existence without enjoyment for something I worked hard to get at, just amongst some of the things I feel at the moment.

My DD sees a psychiatrist on Harley Street. She's been ill and housebound with various things for 6 years and now has severe PTSD from catching Covid in 2020. She is also clinically depressed but not all the time, so we were unaware of it before seeing him. Through genetic testing, he has determined that she has neurological thyroid dysfunction (the thyroid itself is functioning fine) and is treating her for that with thyroid supplements.

What I'm trying to say is that there may be an biological underlying cause for your current mental health issues which can be treated by a psychiatrist, and not a psychologist. And they might not all simply prescribe antidepressants or SSRIs. That said, many will, so I imagine you would have to tread carefully. There is non-pharmacological treatment for PTSD too such as eTNS which should be on their radar. I don't know if psychologists or psychotherapists can do that.

Are you completely honest with the counsellor
I had thinks I was ashamed about in my past which I never talked about - it was only once I did with a live coach that I felt better.

I'd go Psychotherapist personally. My experience with psychiatrists and psychologists hasn't been great but my therapist has been amazing.

I’d go to a psychiatrist first to see if there’s any other underlying diagnosis and then go for psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is a long haul but one I’ve found really helps.

Have you tried CBT before OP? CBT is the main treatment for OCD and most other anxiety disorders and can also be effective for PTSD (although sometimes you might need to try EMDR or Imagery re-scripting too for PTSD). It is very practical and you're likely to see the benefit quite quickly if you are able to complete your CBT tasks each week. If you do decide to look for a CBT therapist then the best place to start is the BABCP to ensure your therapist is accredited (www.cbtregisteruk.com/).

If you have a diagnosis of an anxiety disorder you might also be able to apply for Mental Health Mentoring from your University, funded by DSA. You would need to ask Disability services at your uni for an assessment in the first instance, then apply for DSA. Mentoring is very practical support and can include help with motivation, organization etc.
Psychotherapy is basically a catch all term for all types of talking therapy, which includes counselling, CBT etc.