[ChilliFingers]

Is therapy or treatment something that would be available on the NHS? I've looked for therapists online but they all have hourly rates.

If I wanted to get a therapist I guess I would need to be refered through my GP?

If anyone can help it would be very helpful, thanks

[anna342]

Yeh you need to see your GP. There are a few reactions people seem to get depending on what the problems are. You may get offered meds (which you need to be aware it's up to you whether you want to take them or not, but be honest with the dr there and then about that), they may say see how it goes seeing a counsellor or they could refer you on to a community mental health team or other service in the area. The problem with most mental health services in the NHS is long waiting times. Each area is different, but just don't get your hopes up that it'll be right away!

The ones you've looked at are private, which you would have to pay for but could start a lot quicker.

[**Angel**]

You would need to go through your GP, but your GP may also find other ways to help like medication if that doesn't help you can get put through to therapy

[ECHOES]

Can't you state to the GP that you want to be referred to a therapist?

[Perna]

Good FAQ: http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealt...therapies.aspx

[ChilliFingers]

Thanks everyone, this is really useful

[anna342]

You could Echoes, but ultimatly it's up to them whether they think it's appropriate. Afterall they are the one with medical knowledge, not the patient.

(Sometimes it doesn't quite seem that way I know, but they need to hold the power in saying no if it's innappropriate, which might not just be saying that they don't need help, there are loads of reasons.)

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*

[anna342]

^Yes, that's why I was saying you'd get referred to the CMHT (community mental health team). But also that isn't always done, and there are some other more specialist teams if you already have a dx or the gp decides they know what they're doing I guess.

[ChilliFingers]

I've booked an appointment with my GP for next Monday. Need to figure out what to say to them now... Thanks

[Furigana]

what GP stands for? i'm not a native speaker

[Flooded]

General Practitioner

[mgran]

If you can afford fifteen pounds a session, it's worth going to MIND for help in your neighbourhood to access affordable therapy. The first session is ten pounds, after that it's fifteen. Apparently this is much cheaper than regular therapy.

If you wait through the NHS it can take a VERY long time. It was a year and a half after my husband died that I finally got grief counselling.

If you pester your GP you might, at the very VERY best, get therapy after six months.

Try MIND first. You'll see a counseller between one and two weeks at the uttermost.

[yellowted]

although Mind is a great and reasonably priced option, i personally would question the therapists qualifications, in my area from what i have heard service users are trained by mind to become therapists and in my area the training is hit and miss in quality and length of time!
I would probably try Mind councelling whilst waiting for some from my GP but i would be wary of the quality

[Lilleth]

If you cant afford treat ment its very hard to get help. I got 6 sessions of cbt but because I won't take medication (it made me feel so sick and suicidal) when my dr first suggested it. He seems to have lost interest in me and I have been refered to a counselling service being in dept and having little money although I work I was told I would have a pay a nominal fee. I got the assessment appointment and was told I would be put on the waiting list. The place has a good reputation for helping people but all the funding has now been cut so I dont know what to do now. I feel lost and alone and afraid.