Talking therapies call

[MyNameIsTerry]

2 weeks?! They miss the call and then push you back up the queue I would expect better from a charity!

---------- Post added at 06:33 ---------- Previous post was at 06:30 ----------

If it is anything like the therapist call I had then it isn't worth waiting for. I had one three weeks ago and all that was discussed was the various therapy options. I opted for computerised cbt. I was then told there was a long waiting list and I would be looking at a five week wait. It is pitiful the amount of funding the nhs gets for this sort of thing. Whilst I am trying to get by and some day are difficult, I do realise that there are some who are probably in a worse situation than me. The only other option is to go private but not everyone can afford that.

CCBT is incredibly cheap, the costs will be the support worker for the remote email support. They will unlikely be a therapist though, more likely a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) as CCBT is in Level 2 services.

If you want to try private in the meantime, there are free CCBT programmes around as well as pretty cheap ones like CBT4PANIC. If it's the Fearfighter one the NHS offer, there costs for that for private seem pretty high to me considering all the competition is undercutting them quite substantially.

There are other NICE approved CCBT programmes though that are free.

Do you know which one it was? I can post you a few names of programmes if needed.

[littlelostsoul]

If it is anything like the therapist call I had then it isn't worth waiting for. I had one three weeks ago and all that was discussed was the various therapy options. I opted for computerised cbt. I was then told there was a long waiting list and I would be looking at a five week wait. It is pitiful the amount of funding the nhs gets for this sort of thing. Whilst I am trying to get by and some day are difficult, I do realise that there are some who are probably in a worse situation than me. The only other option is to go private but not everyone can afford that.

Benji80 thank you for your honesty... made me realise that I've given this call a high expectation so your reply has brought me down to earth. its a shame that they just stick us all on waiting lists not realising the difficulties we go through. I like you have difficult days and some not so bad but I asked for help because I wanted to move forward and stop letting my past control my thoughts. I wasn't stupid I knew it wouldn't take 1 phone call but if they are going to put me on a waiting list.... again.... it sucks. Stay strong Benji80

[littlelostsoul]

Well today's the day that I should get my talking therapies call, lets see if they ring me today, fingers and toes crossed

---------- Post added at 10:19 ---------- Previous post was at 08:11 ----------

Well my hope has just died, Mind have just rang me to say that the lady who was ringing me is poorly. so that's 1 call that's I didn't get and 1 call been cancelled. I thought Mind were a good support agency to use and it just seems that they couldn't give a crap

[littlelostsoul]

So as it stands im still waiting, 3 call appointments either just missed or cancelled, wahey, thanks for that Mind. Simply fed up with it now,

[pulisa]

That's just not acceptable. I'm really sorry.....but not surprised. Have you any other options? I'd complain bitterly about the lack of a promised service-it makes a mockery of their claims to help and support.

[littlelostsoul]

My doctor gave me a leaflet with different service providers and I chose Mind because I thought with them being well known they would be good. Clearly not will be ringing another service provider and hopefully get the ball rolling with them

[MyNameIsTerry]

Yes, I would complain about that. MIND are being used to provide Guided Self Help & CBT therapy levels in some areas and members of Rethink to. I had mine through a charity that is a member of the Rethink network. It could be that the charity dealing with you is affiliated with MIND as opposed to MIND themselves and you can check this on their website. If they are affilialates, I would complain straight to MIND about it and get them to sort them out. If it's MIND direct then the same really but it's really not good enough.

Fair enough, the person calling was sick and they let you know. Thats fine. But why has this person missed two other appointments? Thats just rude and poorly managed. It could just be the mismanagement of a local manager, a poor therapist, etc so I don't think you should judge MIND on the strength of it unless you understand the reasons behind it but I would be just as annoyed if I were in your position.

My charity messed me around a bit by stating I needed CBT but I couldn't have it without having Guided Self Help first even though the assessor admitted it wouldn't be much use. I was desperate and wanted any help I could get. At the end of it they told me I had to wait 3 months for CBT despite me having Guided Self Help for 6 weeks. So, I complained to my GP as I thought it was ludicrous & bureaucratic to only put me on a waiting list now when they knew this. He referred to the Community Mental Health Team, the next level up, who said their wait was a minimum 12 months. The nurse rang the manager for the charity who refused to speed it up as there was no one available. The nurse said she would make some enquiries and within 24hrs I had an appointment in a weeks time!

Something that annoyed me too was thhat whilst this was going on I started looking for a private therapist as I said to my GP I didn't mind if I could fill in the gap and make a start. He was fine with this. The charity had said use the BACP register. I looked to find a lady on their currently accepting private clients who was part of this damn charity! I can't fault them for communication though and once the therapists were allowed to get on with it, they were very helpful. For me, it was just bureaucratic management above them tieing their hands.