View Full Version : Going for Private therapy and counselling
I've decided my anxiety has got too much and need a dose of therapy as I don't want to wait a year when I went and seen the doctor a few months back.
I'm hoping it helps..I am worried right now about it like I feel maybe I need a doctor get all the checks, every test make sure I'm ok? Just worried as a private counsellor doesn't know my background really do they? They don't have my medical records? and has it helped others here doing private counselling?
But anyway I found some cheap ones between £25 - £40 which is a good price I hear. My family had been suggesting a support group but hearing others anxieties won't help. I'm hoping maybe one or two sessions as I don't have lots of money to spend on it..maybe tackle some of my OCD issues?
I've not had proper help in 3 years so my reason is it's got too much and textbooks are not helping. So I shall make a phone call tomorrow to one and hopefully I can start living and enjoying life again soon.
I think it will take more than one or two sessions Phil. Most will try and find the root of your problem first before they attempt to resolve it.
I suppose it all depends why you have anxiety as to how long it takes for you to benefit from therapy.
go along and see what they can offer you and if you think it will be of any benefit.
I find private therapy much more benifical than NHS, but you have to find a good one.Some do a free half hour consultation.
Good luck
I think it will take more than one or two sessions Phil. Most will try and find the root of your problem first before they attempt to resolve it.
I suppose it all depends why you have anxiety as to how long it takes for you to benefit from therapy.
go along and see what they can offer you and if you think it will be of any benefit.
I find private therapy much more benifical than NHS, but you have to find a good one.Some do a free half hour consultation.
Good luck
Thanks.
Well really it's a choice of meds or CBT right?
I've tried relaxation and books but feel I need a little more help so maybe this will. I found one local which says they are an NHS one and private so maybe that's the right mix?
You may just need somebody to steer you in the right direction. I saw a therapist for 3 years and she helped me to sort out my past but couldn't push me any further forward.
Im now seeing a top therapist he is very pricey but doing it a bit cheaper for me, he has a different approach so its all about finding the right person for you. You need to explain to them what you would like out of therapy, then see what they can offer you.
i too am attending CBT privately, my therapist has only contracted my for 6 sessions i thought i would have to attend for longer than that, but will have to wait and see.
Six weeks for me too. Actually when I first rang her she told me what her prices were and she was top end compared with others but I’m reliably informed a less ‘able’ and cheaper therapist can take longer hence costing more. I’m on visit number three tomorrow and so far it’s been a real eye opener and I’m quite excited by the whole thing,....sad isn’t it:D
If cbt is what you want then you need to find a therapist that really specialises in this. Some say they do it and they might incorporate into their sessions but you can waste a lot of time if its not their thing.
If cbt is what you want then you need to find a therapist that really specialises in this. Some say they do it and they might incorporate into their sessions but you can waste a lot of time if its not their thing.
I went to http://cbtregisteruk.com/ and the one I am actually going for specialises in CBT. Checked the site they have a number of therapies and relaxation things going on in this place but there's one guy CBT trained.
I went to http://cbtregisteruk.com/ and the one I am actually going for specialises in CBT. Checked the site they have a number of therapies and relaxation things going on in this place but there's one guy CBT trained.
That sounds good. i would ask them if they do a half hour free consultation so you can decide if its for you, most good ones will offer this.
supersezza
07-11-10, 22:18
Well done Phil for taking that step, I'm sure it will help you!
Good on You Phill.Hope all goes well
Love Petra x
I'm going for CBT privately at the moment as well; I'm having my third session today. The counsellor I'm seeing charges £45 an hour which seems to be quite reasonable for this part of the country, and I managed to get in to see him within 10 days, which I thought was pretty good.
The main thing about CBT is that it relies on you to, in effect, do homework. This is a very important part of it, as you have to be able to learn for yourself which you think and behave the way you do - and then learn the right ways to do something about it. It most definitely isn't a matter of sitting down and saying "OK, fix me", as it doesn't work like that.
The last time I saw a counsellor, it seemed to be just reflective, which I really didn't find very helpful, as there comes a time when you have to learn from your experiences and decide to draw a line under the past, as we can't change it - we can only learn to move on as best as we can.
I am a big advocate of therapy. Its not always a quick process but don't put timescales on it, it takes what it takes. THe outcome is what is important.
And as the great saying goes, keep your eyes on the prize.
I have tried CBT, it was very useful when I was younger and really panicking all the time, being able to see the cycles of thought I would fall into and the inaccuracies in my perceptions was helpful.
Ultimately what caused the constant nagging and debilitation anxious feelings was a bit more complex for me than just automatic thoughts and bad habits.
I have seen a psychotherapist for a year and half now and its been hugely rewarding. To have someone that actually fully understood what was going on with me and to slowly mirror it back to me as I was ready to take it on was like a miricle. After so many years of being alone with it all, after so many years of frantically trying to find answers and never quite getting there. To be able to release so much trapped grief, upset, remorse and sadness of how much being in the grip of anxiety all my life has cost me alone was worth it.
I sought out one of the best in the country, it cost me £80 a session and I would ordinarily see him weekly. That is pretty strong, you can spent more, often psychologists and psychoanalysts try to charge £100 plus but I think £80 is top money. If you're on a lower income £40-60 per session is often available. Obviously you don't want to pay too much but you also get what you pay for and its your health, so invest as much as you can.
Good luck, you'll get more than you put in, but it may take a little patience. :)
Out of curiosity Trooper, what sort of issues did you find that the psychotherapy helped with best? I'm having CBT at the moment and I can see that sorting out some of the thought patterns will be useful, but I'm not entirely sure that will be the whole picture as I'm quite "damaged" by trauma. I also don't want to get trapped into the cycle of having therapy for years, as I don't think that would be helpful for me as I don't want to get in the habit of needing an emotional crutch to exist.
I managed to get a hold off that counsellor place today and they said I could have went today but I felt it was short notice getting there so they have gave me an appointment of next Tuesday. They asked over the phone what issues I had and I said panic attacks, sleep and driving test and they said the women can help so I'm a little bit worried if it will help or what will happen.
But next week it is..even if I have one or two appointments maybe once a month just to see if it will help me in some way. Just to add to that I think she's more a counsellor not sure if she will have CBT methods but it should still help right?
Well I went for my first session of counselling today. Seemingly it takes six sessions to get better. Seemly my problems are like an addiction and I have alot of fears. I also have some anger but it was not the usual breathing techniques and so on she seemed to think anxiety stated when I was younger.
She hinted about anti depressants but I don't really want to go on them. Really is that not how to get over anxiety? Tablets, exercise, healthy eating and therapy?
I do feel alot better to talk about it and was glad it was not all textbook anxiety like I read on symptoms pages and so on and more about the root of the problem and my OCD ect.. I said I feel I have alot of problems but she seemed to think I have to like myself to chill out a little bit more...she said I'm always buzzing wanting to fix issues in my life ect..
So I'll go back and see how it goes? :)
Blue Angel [and Phil too!] - I would suggest you look at the following link - it gives some good background information about Time Line Therapy® - as formalised in a methodology by Tad James.
I'm trained in it - but have had it used on myself, following a traumatic road accident, with fantastic results. It has been used on soldiers suffering with PTSD after war conflict in various parts of the world ... the organisation that trained me run a course - The Warrior Program - linked to one of Prince Charles' charities and they also work with ex-service men & women with PTSD and enable them to get over their trauma. It is swift and gives genuine tangible results.
I'll answer any queries you have ... so to begin with have a look at Tad James' site - click on the sections in the title .... for Negative Emotions, Limiting Decisions/Beliefs & Anxiety ...
www.timelinetherapy.net
Cheers
Nig
why dont u go back to ur doc and ask him about the nhs cbt which is called iapt as ive started cbt now and it only took about 4ks for me to see some one as my doctor referd me so no harm in asking ur gp about iapt and if its available ware u live
why dont u go back to ur doc and ask him about the nhs cbt which is called iapt as ive started cbt now and it only took about 4ks for me to see some one as my doctor referd me so no harm in asking ur gp about iapt and if its available ware u live
It's a one year wait she said I could go to a group thing which was free but if it helps me with this one to one hopefully that will be good.
To anybody whos had it...How good can you feel in 6 sessions?
Also loads of people say go back to the doctor which makes me worry as I've been a few times and had some anxiety hand outs..ideally I don't want to take anymore meds I take propranalol..I hear so much mixed advice about meds vs therapy. I worry if I don't do anything like this counselling I'll go crazy? Is that just anxiety or will I go crazy? I did mention it to the counsellor I fear like going mad and being put in hospital which makes me worry.
Went for another session today.
Seemingly she doesn't do CBT methods but she said that it's something you have to practice and study. Her methods is more instant positive thinking..repeating I'm relaxed and stuff.
I guess it does help. She recommended I get a book too and it's all about being positive and that will hopefully clean out my anxiety maybe?
Hi, I am just about to have my final counselling session after 12 weeks, I paid £45 per session (live in the South East). The therapy was talking style and has really helped me deal with bereavements, health worries and lots of pent up stuff. I also had Propranolol to ease the symptoms of anxiety. I tried anti-depressants for 4 days but could not cope on them, they made my anxiety 100 times worse so were not right for me.
I did buy a CBT bhook and took out the bits that helped me, like challenging negative thinking, but the main things that helped were the drugs, counselling and being more healthy (stopped smoking, caffeine, eat well, walk outside every say). I can't exercise properly yet as I'm waiting to have my gallbladder removed.
Counselling has really worked for me, hope it helps you too.
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