Will an NHS psychologist come to your home

[Roxy1988]

Just that really. I have been seeing a psychologist since November last year but struggle so much actually going to the appointments. I have cancelled loads but really do need the therapy. Would it be appropriate to ask if she will come to my home for the sessions? Can they do that?

No. They are usually back to back and don’t have the time to travel.
are you under a community mental heath team? If so they may arrange transport/assistance

I don’t know the answer but have you asked if you could do it over video call?

Yes they can and yes you should ask with an explanation why.

They don't like to advertise it because of what @LaurieFairyCake said but they absolutely can do it.

This, in Scotland you can ask for this through the secure appointment app 'near me'. https://www.nearme.scot/
Your trust may have something similar?

Well they may be able to, but I'd assume I would require significant planning, use of multiple appointment slots due to travel time etc. Possibly even x2 members of staff dependent on lone working policy?

I had all my appointments via video, would that work?

Thanks for all your replies! Getting there isn't an issue it's just the anxiety that comes with going to the appointments. We have had one session over video but she said it wasn't ideal and she would prefer to see me face to face. I will contact her Tuesday to see if it would be possible. Thanks again everyone.

Some NHS psychologists do sometimes do home visits, but not all teams can manage it so they might have to refer you to a different person/team if they think you need that (and it might take a while to find a team with capacity and there’s probably a waiting list). But a video appointment is probably easier all round if that’s an option for you.

I think you should make it very clear to them that the reason you’ve not engaged much is because you struggle to leave the house due to the MH issues you need help with (assuming that’s why), so they understand that reasonable adjustments might be necessary to enable you to access the service.

It’s always worth checking and can happen in some situations (particularly if you have a cognitive disability) but realistically…. It means using about 3 slots for one person so it’s incredibly resource heavy and therefore quite rare, or done as once off. I’ve really only offered it when people have multiple complex disabilities and seeing them in their home is useful because I can link in with carers - with other waitlists I couldn’t justify it as it means two other people aren’t getting appointments. Ask, but be prepared for no and think about what you can do then - can you ask someone to come with you for support while travelling?

Ours do but we work in quite a specific way. You could ask for support from an assertive outreach team.

I think maybe have another session on video call and discuss further why it wasn't ideal - if it works much better for you, i think that should be taken into account. I don't find it easy doing sessions by video call and neither does the psychologist on our team but she does do it in the right circumstances.

It would be very hard to justify this as travel time would mean you are taking the slots of three people. I would suggest talking to your therapist about what gets in the way of leaving the house, and working on this together, as presumably it is relevant to the therapy you are having anyway. Next, I would ask if there is a support worker who could come and help you attend the appointments, and work together with the therapist, so they can support you to use any strategies you have worked on in the therapy. Good luck!

Thanks for all the advice I have taken it on board. I don't struggle to leave my home I just struggle going to the place where the therapy is. Sitting in the waiting room full of other people with mental health issues really triggers me and takes me back to a bad place. Also there are lots of locked doors before we get to the therapy room which makes me feel trapped.

Oh that is complicated, I'm sorry.

I would discuss this with the therapist, in particular everything that it brings up for you in terms of feelings in the moment and past memories and experiences. It's likely to be relevant I would guess? See if you can come up with some solutions together eg. you let the receptionist know you are there and then wait outside -- can she collect you from outside. Is there a clinic room that doesn't involve going through pass protected doors? Some places have them. If not, keep working on the trapped feeling with her and what it relates to. I'm sorry, I can understand that would feel so difficult and hopefully you and the therapist could find a way forward together.

And just as an aside, this reminds me of how patient unfriendly clinic buildings can be. Lots of people would struggle with this. I would love to have a purpose build clinic with a more friendly, welcoming design because I know the kind of place you are talking about and it just isn't conducive to arriving in a relaxed and calm state of mind to be open about difficulties. I really hope your therapist and you together can find a way to make it easier for you.