I heard today that my CPN has referred me to a psychotherapist, I only have 2 more sessions with my current therapist in which I am doing CBT. I have never done psychotherapy before, My CPN, My Pdoc and my current therapist thinks this will help a lot, Does anyone know what this involves?

Do you mean psychoanalysis?

I don't know Lol.... She just said she has referred me to a psychotherapist.

Well, a CBT therapist is a psychotherapist. There are many different kinds of psychotherapy, including CBT... psychoanalysis is something slightly different though. I think most people in this forum go to some form of psychotherapy (or have done so)

You're in the UK, aren't you? I think your CPN may have been referring to a more person centred 'talking therapy' approach, rather than the CBT you have had, which sounds like one of the 'IAPT' services, and the first basic thing offered by the NHS - only intended to be a short term therapy. I would guess your next round of therapy will aim to go a little deeper than that. It may even involve CBT in some form again, but more in depth, perhaps with someone who is more highly qualified.

(This based purely on my limited experience and knowledge of these services! May be different in every postcode )

Yeah I am in the UK, I should of asked my CPN really, Will ask her next time I see her

I don't know much about this kind of stuff so it is why I thought I would ask here

Wish that I could stay with my current T though.

[SoupDragon]

Hi Tink, yes as just_some_girl says - the IAPT scheme aimed at trying to speed up services and reduce waiting times for therapy. "Therapists" that deliver CBT under this scheme aren't always psychotherapists, they can be graduate mental health workers or psychiatric nurses. Psychotherapists will have a masters degree (post graduate) and be registered with the UKCP or BACP - they are likely to have undergone more intensive training and better suited to working in longer term therapeutic situations, alternatively they may be working towards accreditation under supervision of a registered psychotherapist - my therapist is a psychotherapist registered with the UKCP - sounds great that you are going to get some longer term support. Soup

When you go to your first appointment ask all the questions that pertain to your initial question.
Ask what psychotherapy is.
Ask the therapist about their approach.
Ask the therapist about their qualifications.
Interview the therapist as though you are an employer.
Whatever question you ask qualify that question with a reason you're asking it.
Write your main questions on a piece of paper and have them ready to refer back to. But, based on the answers that the therapist gives, let your curiosity ask more questions.

Once you feel satisfied that your questions have been answered, tell the therapist why you're there to see them and what your goals are as well as your concerns.

Ultimately, the therapist should feel privileged and excited to get to know you and should also feel a need to earn your trust and confidence.

[adel34]

Hi Tink!
So glad you'll be getting longer-term support!
Sorry you have to leave your current t though. I know how hard that is.

Thanks

My CPN and my current therapist will be with me for my assessment I think but I am not sure how long I will have to wait.

Thanks for explaining this to me