Psychology therapy, how many sessions did you get and was it enough

[Iamnotmad]

I have had 12 sessions on NHS via GP referral. It wasn't enough, didn't even scratch the surface, also made me feel worse. My GP is allowed to refer me again for another 12 sessions but this will entail me being on the waiting list until it's my turn again. I wonder if this is how my local services "manages" too many patients vs. too few therapists.

I’ve had it through the NHS and I agree 12 sessions isn’t enough.

I went private instead.

I got 4 and then faced a 2 year wait for another 6. I didn't bother and had to find the money to go private. I've been seeing a private therapist for just over 2 years now and I'm making slow but steady progress.

Looking back, the first year was spent slowly fostering a solid and trusting relationship and now that we are moving onto harder and more painful work, that relationship is being put to the test.

I couldn't have done this with my nhs therapist. I liked him but it would have been near impossible for a relationship formed over the space of 12 weeks to stand up to this kind of work.

From what he said and what I've heard other IAPT workers saying, the therapists know that it isn't enough. Isn't even close to being good enough but their hands are tied and they're just having to do their best.