Many GPs now don't decide what psych services a patient gets. I know where I worked GPs who thought a patient needed a psychiatrist and/or therapy had to refer to mental health services with the patient's details and it was THEY who decided what happened to the patient. Eg both the patient and the GP could think that they need to see a pdoc, but the MH service decides that they 'just' need counselling, or tell the GP to prescribe a certain med without even seeing the patient. I guess it's to do with how stretched the system is.

The wait for a psychologist in my area is a year, and the therapy that's offered is 'short-term' eg CBT so you're looking at about 12 sessions and that's your lot. If you can afford it, I really would go private, unless you're lucky to have a counsellor attached to your GP practice!!

*Willow*