Talking therapy

[mamaxbear]

Hey,

I have my first talking therapy appointment through the NHS next week. Just wondering if anyone has had any of these appointments before and can give me a heads up as to what to expect?

Thanks x

First session is usually a getting to know each other type thing. They'll introduce themselves, explain a little about how they work and ask you what brings you to them.

Have you used this service before? It’s a telephone appointment but I’m hoping I can request for further appointments to be in person

Following.....
I have just had my email to confirm that I'll be getting my booking in appointment within the next few weeks.
I have wanted this for so long.....

Good Luck with your first session! 😀

Have you had a triage/assessment appointment already, or is this the triage? If it's the triage then it will be asking you for information about the frequency, intensity, duration and onset of your difficulties, as well as what you see as the main problems for you and what goals you have for therapy. There should be a chance to talk through the different types of therapy they can offer (usually an online, in person and sometimes phone offer) and you can express your preference.

If it isn't your triage appt then you'll know all that and they should have had the preference conversation with you already. There is sometimes a longer wait for in person appointments but you should be able to ask to wait if that's what you'd prefer.

Hope it all goes ok and you get something that helps you

This is just the first appointment, so I assume the triage one. I completed an online questionnaire and booked this shortly after.

For me, with both talking and CBT, after introductions and establishing the scene/scenario I was taken through a questionnaire that determined my state of mind. A lot of questions with Not at all, Several days, Over half the days, Nearly every day answers.

This was therapy for GAD and depression.

Good luck - therapy certainly helped me.

Yes I've used it. I asked the same, all assessments are phone ones but the actual therapy was in person. I went on to have private therapy as 6 sessions wasn't enough but it did help.

I am currently having talking therapy. I've had it before, not always successfully, but the therapist I am now seeing is helping, so much so that I am carrying on seeing her privately. It is face to face as I am hearing disabled. Good luck.

@blackcherryconserve oh I’m so glad it’s working for you. How much are the private sessions if you don’t mind me asking?

In my experience the first assessment session is rather hard going because they want to talk through what brought you to seek help in the first place. Depending on your situation, that can be difficult.

Make sure you have got yourself a free hour or so after it so you can have a cuppa and moment to yourself.

The actual therapy/counselling starts later.

Because I'm a pensioner on a fixed income it is less than £50. I hope you find a good therapist. Don't be worried about changing if the first one you are assigned doesn't gel with you. It can take time x

@blackcherryconserve I see. Am I able to request a change of therapist with the NHS? X

I'm not sure tbh. It's only six sessions and your surgery may feel you need to persevere. However on the plus side, should the therapist work for you you may well be able to continue with private follow ups. It's a battle tbh but it is worth pursuing as the help you get can be life changing. I am now learning to handle situations that I couldn't before because my therapist knows about my childhood trauma (emotional not physical) and this all plays into my life now, even many years later!

No I wasn't allowed to change therapists. Had to take who they assigned me or be discharged.