NHS Therapy?

[JBrew84]

I've been feeling increasingly anxious in recent months and feel like its time to look into therapy (definitely got some long term stuff to work through too but I've just never had the time and its always felt quite daunting getting help) - What are people's experiences with the NHS' mental health services? Are they any good or is it better to go private?

Appalling. Also very Limited sessions.

My last CBT -that I waited 4 months for-consisted of 4 telephone calls over 3 months then a ‘if you need any further help get the dr to re refer you’.

The time before that was actually face 2 face sessions but only 12 of them and with a nurse training in CBT rather than someone qualified who, half way through our block of sessions, told me the tutor said he needed more of a plan and to focus more on XYZ. I still heard more about their holidays, family, sport each week. They talked more than I did!

previous counselling was also only 12 weeks and consisted of a lady mostly sitting there in silence staring at me. Very uncomfortable.

If you can afford it, or have access through work, do that. I’ve been left so defeated that I feel there’s no point even asking the Dr for more help because I’m clearly not going to get any. I hope you are able to find someone able to help you.

It's not therapy as such but this video explains what anxiety is, why we need it and how to work with it rather than fearing or fighting it;

In my area, they do a phone assessment quite quickly after self referral to discuss your requirements. It's worth finding out what your options are/how long the waiting list is before you go private.

You can self refer here: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-NHS-talking-therapies-service

Just over 4 years ago I was refered had initial assessment within weeks told too complex for community counselling that's offered on nhs so need to be refered to clinical psychologist team. Saw someone for another assessment December 2019 (had two appointments) decided the treatment option they felt was best and said they'll put me on a waiting list. I start treatment next week! In between when things got really bad I rang in to their crisis line they said we know its hard sent me something to read and expected me to cope. It's awful. I in no way blame the staff they're doing their best. However I think I've put a barrier up that I'm now going to have to break down because to protect myself last year I stopped ringing and felt that I was worse after they spoke to me and that often they'd lie about how long it would take to get treatment (it was always by the end of the year) and my initial problems came from doctors who didn't listen when I was seriously ill and lied to me to cover things up causing long term physical problems. If I could have afforded to go privately I would do but unfortunately the doctors not listening meant I lost my job and benefits are not enough to afford long term treatment. I actually think having short term treatment that doesn't conclude is worse than no treatment at all.
I was also refered to social prescribing but deemed not suitable because I needed to much mh treatment. Also a charity but they assessed and said I was to complex for them so fall in between everyone's criteria. I'd speak to your gp (but also if you can look at private treatment) as different areas have different criteria and referal pathways.

It's not fit for purpose, in my opinion. I ended up paying privately for counselling, and it's worth every single penny. They seem to just offer CBT for everything, and it's never face to face, and it only ever scratches the surface. If you have long-term issues to deal with, I really would consider going private.

I recently cam across a post on Facebook which was advertising free NHS counselling and CBT which had been made available in my area and that I could 'self refer' force this service rather than go through my GP, I completed the online form and waited, a few days later I received an email telling me that due to current waiting lists in my area they couldn't process my application for the next few weeks but they would be in touch...quelle surprise !

I pay privately, found it impossible to get an appointment despite a referral. Started treatment abroad and continuing it once l got back here.

It depends who you see but if you see a Clinical Psychologist privately then they will have had the same training as one that you would see in the NHS. The main difference is that they have more time to prepare for sessions and there is no cap on the number of times you can be seen for. They are also usually expensive though - around £120 a session so it can add up.

Waiting lists for NHS are often high at the moment. They are over a year in many places.

I am not sure about IAPT services in England but they can help, there is also often online self-help therapy that you can access.

Within the NHS there is a mix not just CBT. In our service most are trained in CBT, EMDR, Compassion focused therapy, and some other things - CAT, MBT etc.

You'll be on the waiting list for years. Go private.

I see mine for £60 in central London. Younger tends to be cheaper

£60 sounds very cheap. What are their qualifications?

I'm in Derbyshire and have used NHS counselling service twice over the past couple of years, for 1 to1 counselling, I've found them excellent. You get 6 to 8 sessions and the wait was around 4 weeks

This is what's just happened with me. I referred on Friday, they called me today, and I've got a 45 minute telephone appointment with a therapist tomorrow. I wasn't expecting that at all, but expecting the next appointment to be months away as I doubt I'm that lucky.

I'm in Surrey.

Obviously varied opinions here but I found the NHS service good.

I loved the fact that someone was PAID to listen to me instead of me feeling guilty about burdening friends and relations.

Try it and see - you can always go private afterwards if you don't find it useful.