How long does it take to be referred for councelling on the NHS?

[Allboxedin]

and how do you go about it?
Is there any 'criteria' you have to meet to be able to get it?

I went to my GP, i was really low but didn't want to go on Anti Ds.. i felt like i needed to talk things through with someone- to help me help myself, basically.

Then i was referred to the Mental Health team, who made me complete various questionnaires and talked to me for an hour or so.. after their assessment they referred me to the Counsellor.

The process from GP to counsellor took @ 6 weeks, but it really does depend on the waiting lists for your area, and my experiences were a good 18 months ago. HTH. Best of luck!

As Jelly said, it depends on waiting lists, and also the severity of your problems. My husband was referred within a week, but he was having a nervous breakdown and it was either going to be that or sectioning.

I've suffered from depression on and off for years. When I originally went to my GP I was in such a bad state that she said my antidepressants had to kick in before I could even attempt counselling. When I did get referred it was privately and cost me £40 a session - hence I didn't go to many! when I became pregnant I was miraculously referred for CBT at a local clinic on the NHS.

Thanks all, I live in London so I guess the waiting lists would be quite long :(
I am already on anti d's - have been for a few years, it is more in relation to an issue in child hood which has sparked off past few weeks. So lady, councelling on the NHS is not guaranteed?

I was referred but they refused to take me on as I'm being seen by a support worker from crisis centre.

I saw my GP and was refferred to the local mental health team. After their initial assessment they have put me down for at least the minimum of 6 sessions. I saw them the week before xmas for my initial assessment and am awaiting correspondance about my first councelling appointment. They asked me if I had any preference as to whether the therapist was male or female. I chose female.

Allboxedin - I think in my case the waiting list was so long for the NHS I was advised to go privately. At the time my GP said that you had to be suicidal / about to be sectioned to get any help promptly. But like I said when I fell pregnant they found the resources so maybe I was classed as an urgent case then. I would say it's worth getting on a waiting list if you can via your GP.

DH referred November, had a telephone assessment Easter, err still waiting...

Very much depends on where you live, how urgent they think the issue is etc

Would it help to talk here about the childhood issue that has sparked off recently?

I needed counselling but never got it- sent to MH who assessed me all wrong. Calamity Depends on your area.Here is doctors , doctors only. in other words power.

It's all CBT in the NHS. Look into CBT and see if you think it would actually help you. There are other kinds of counselling, and counsellors are often flexible about what they charge depending on your circs.

I'm not sure if it's the same but we had marriage counselling with relate and you had to pay according to your earnings . Sadly ( or lucky for us I guess) we fell into the top bracket but If you don't then it's almost free. Can you look into something like that ?

Hi, I work in a community mental health team. I'd disagree that you have to be suicidal or needing to be sectioned to access counselling. In fact these are seen as crises so counselling wouldn't necessarily be appropriate-or sufficient-in these situations.

I'd say go and see your GP as most surgeries have a practice counsellor. The counselling tends to be limited to a specific number of sessions-if needed your GP can refer you for a psychological assessment or sign post you to other counselling services.

Best of luck

I was referred via my GP, and I was assessed within a fortnight, and began therapy within eight weeks. I went through this process twice. On neither occasion was it CBT!

H had an identical experience, but a shorter wait, as events precipitated things somewhat.

depends on gp surgery and provision they purchase

criteria
attend appts(as obvious as it sounds -some folk cant maintain appts)
ability to tolerate 1:1 professional relationship,engage in mutual rapport
be deemed suitable after an initial screening usually questionnaire and 1:1
not be actively psychotic

if you're in England might be worth asking about IAPT (improving access to psychological therapies) IAPT regions england

no IAPT in Scotland, but apparently a roll out is planned

good luck

YOu visit your GP. We get only six sessions here I waited two months, however I waited over six months for BPD therapy, which unfortunately I had to give up as I got a job.

Thankyou very much everyone. I am not severaly depressed or anything at the moment and coping ok tbh on my antideps, but wanted to talk about some CSA issues that have caused ongoing problems with myself and family which have recently started to backfire and not sure how to deal with it from a practical point of view. I have never had councelling for this before though and my mum and sister are having sessions at the moment.
Do you think GP is the right way to go or maybe someone else/organisation. I don't think I have the funds to pay for it at present though. I am wondering if the NHS councelling would be more focussed now on depression/mentl health than CSA issues?
I am in England yes.

counselling will look at your presentation,mood,behaviours,routine and attempt to modify, redress and teach new strategies

no counselling can address a specific CSA technical query as such. more likely
to look holistically at you,and how external worries (such as csa) impact upon you.

go for initial assessment see what they recommend

Thanks SM,
I mean CSA as in Child sex abuse BTW, just to clarify. I think SM you got that though? :)

I did get information off GP for when my sessions at R crisis centre finishes its a cheap one from £5 upwards depending on your income might be some private ones like that in your area.She wasn't happy that psychology services had refused me as she'd put urgent referral in after my disclosure.

I'm glad your looking to get some counselling I was on your other thread a few days ago.

Thanks Dotty, yes recognised your name :) Hope you are managing ok?!
Definately looking into it now, I am reading up a bit on it to online. I think I have been buring my head in the sand and depending on my defense systems for a while long. Although I ;think' I am coping fine, God knows what is lurking underneath! :)

Singing Princess, what kind was it?