Therapy on the NHS

[RebeccaRose92]

does anyone know how I can access psychotherapy on the nhs?
so I have CPTSD and panic disorder + agoraphobia + mild depression as a result of the trauma
my GP referred me to the local wellbeing charity, and after an assessment they put me on their highest level support which meant referring me to CBT for mild anxiety, which I’m on the wait list for now (6-12 months). They said they unfortunately don’t offer anything around past abuse, so how do I go about accessing it? I don’t have any spare money to pay for therapy, which in my area is £60 a session. I’ve looked at charities that offer reduced rates but I still don’t have a spare £100 a month, and it’s usually just CBT anyway

www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/

Have you tried this search service OP? Just to see what's available in your area?

@ForTheLoveOfSleep yes and I was referred to cbt

You can't. It's literally not available on the NHS. They try to tell you that there is help but there isn't. The NHS provision for mental illness is shocking. If CBT or 12 counselling sessions won't sort it, we're fucked.

I'm in the same situation and was forced to go private, it was that or kill myself. I really can't afford it either, even though my counsellor sees me for a lower rate and will probably end up in debt because of it.

Two year wait (before covid) near to me for longer term therapy and only available at one hospital in the next county over (25 miles away) mid week, middle of the day (so no good if you work a typical job). Probably much longer now!! Also daft restrictions on things- if you’ve been sexually assaulted you can only be seen by the specialist team for that even if that isn’t what you need therapy for.

Have you considered EMDR which is available on the NHS?

@VampireCat well this is essentially what the CBT people have said to me today while assessing me to see if I qualify. Not sure why I was referred for it from well-being as they know I have childhood sexual abuse

Mental health services vary depending on where you live. I've been referred for long-term therapy for trauma and am receiving short-term therapy & medication while I wait for some months for the longer term therapy to begin.

Pathway wise, I self referred to IAPT, who decided after their assessment that I needed more complex care than they could offer and I was referred over to specialist services.

I hope you manage to find something. x