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Thread: How do I get counselling?

  1. #1
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    Question How do I get counselling?

    I hope this is the right thread to post this, but I'm at a dead end.

    After several weks of frustration, tears at times and reading loads of advice on your posts, I've realised the best way forward for me is counselling and in particular CBT.

    My problem is I don't know how to go about getting it. I went to see a GP at my surgery this morning I asked to be referred to the local CMHT (Community Mental Health Team) and was basically told no. I got told the same thing I was told a couple of years ago: my local health trust does not offer either conselling or CBT. In fact the Anxiety Management course I attended last year has stopped too (or so the doctor said). All she did was give me a phone number for a conselling and training centre in a town about 10 miles away. She said it used to be free but now they charge because people were abusing the service and not attending sessions they had booked. I have phoned the Centre and have left a message on their answer phone. Now I have to wait.

    In the meantime, I am looking for advice:

    Do I believe the GP when she says there is no counselling avilable in my area?

    Do I have right to be referred to the CMHT or a local CPN, or is the GP right to refuse me?

    I must point out that when I rang for the appointment this morning and asked to see someone who specialises in mental health or anxiety, the receptionist told me that would be the CPN (Community Psychiatric Nurse), but the GP would have to refer me. That leads me to wonder:

    Would I have a better response if I had arrive in a right state like I was yesterday when I was having a bad spell and couldn't stop crying?

    So if my local health board won't help:

    Is there anywhere else I can go?

    My husband has private medical insurance for the whole family through work:

    Does anyone know if I can get private counselling through medical insurance?

    This is all so frustrating. I want to get better. A lot of you on the forum agree counselling and CBT is one of the best forms of therapy. The GP hersefl said the best way forward was conselling. so my final question is:

    Can anyone give me suggestions how I can get CBT/counselling as quickly as possible, while I'm still sane enough to know I need it?

    Thank you
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  2. #2
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    Hi Dusty

    Firstly check the smallprint of the medical insurance to see if you can go private this is the quickest option

    My other thought is maybe you should change your gp???

    The problem is that CBT costs them money so its cheaper to palm you off with a packet of pills!!!

    Legally I dont know if you have the right to demand a referal to cmht or whoever but it seems you are not being treated fairly

    CBT is deffo the way to go and can work wonders!!!!

    I would go back to docs and ask to see another gp who is sympathetic to mental health issues!!!

    Hope this is of some help

    Luv Kaz x
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  3. #3
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    No Your Gp Has No Right Telling You No...they Are Being Paid To Help Us ....im From America So Im Sure Others Can Give You More Advise Where To Go But For Your Gp Get Rid Of Her...lol Im Sorry But She Has No Right.....best To Ya.....linda
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  4. #4
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    They have no right to refuse you any help and you could mention the N.I.C.E. guidelines to them as they have to abide by that and offer you treatment.

    Going private is the quickest way but I had to get my GP to refer me to a psychiatrist who then wrote a letter to give to the private healthcare company saying that I needed CBT.

    It was fairly painless and I got 16 sessions. (had to push for the extra 10 by the way)

    If you need more advice on this let me know as I did it all last year through private health.
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  5. #5
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    Hi Dusty-sorry to hear that you have not been well.I have been going through a similar thing.Went to see my GP who put me on a waiting list to see his Community Psychiatric nurse.Waited around 3 to 4 months to see her and she is lovely but I wasn't improving at all.I went back to the GP and said I was a BUPA member and he referred me to see someone privately.I was seen by a consultant psychiatrist who agreed that I needed a course of at least 10 sessions with a psychotherapist.Got a bill for the consulation for 220.00 pounds!!! rang BUPA who said that I am only covered for up to 500.00 pounds worth of mental health treatment.So I saw the psychotherapist twice and the psychiatrist after that and that's all my allowance used up!I am now on a waiting list for NHS treatment and have been told that I will be waiting from 12 to 18 months! Perhaps you should ring your husband's private health company to see how much cover you have? Good luck and hope you feel better soon, Bubblex

  6. #6
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    Thanks for the advice Nicola and Bubble.

    That gives me something to go on. It's very hard when starting from scratch, but I am determined to get the CBT. I know it is the only way to move forwards constructivly.

    I'll go back to see the surgery next week and see if I can see a GP with more experience of anxiety or mental health. And I'll take a print out of this thread too. So if anyone else who can add more advice, please carry on ....

    We will get there. When I'm feeling this angry - the anxiety seems less!!
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  7. #7
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    good luck Dusty.I think it is ironic that if you had a broken leg everyone would be sympathetic you would have an x ray the same day, have a plaster of paris applied and the treatment would be completed quickly and as an NHS patient.If you have a mental health problem and you are an NHS patient it seems that it is extremely difficult to get help. Let us know how you get on.I have joined the NHS waiting list now for psychotherapy, Bev

  8. #8
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    A Result!

    I was fuming on friday, especially when I had read all your wonderful replies, so I decided it was time for action.

    I phoned the Medical Insurance Company and spoke to a really nice lady. She couldn't have been more helpful or understanding if she had tried. (No this is not sarcasm - I really mean it).

    After listening to my story she firstly agreed with us all completely about the GP, especially registrars! Then she said yes - anxiety and CBT are covered by the insurance and there is no upper monetary limit to the amount of treatment.

    She gave me a list of psychiatrists in my area recommended by the company and told me all I needed to do was get my GP to refer me to one of them and let the company know which one so they knew who to pay. The psychiatrist should then refer me on to a psychologist who could give me CBT!

    So, today I went to my normal GP at the surgery (not the registrar I saw last week). There was no problem at all. Not only had the GP heard of most of the names on the list - she actually lived opposite one of them! How great is that!

    So keep your fingers crossed - I should be on the way to my CBT!

    Oh, and one more thing to add.

    Nicola - I spoke to a friend of mine who is a GP in another health trust and she said you were right. GP's do have a right to refer us if we ask!

    Now all I have to do is get off the diazepam...
    __________________
    Dusty xx

    PMT - Proof that God must be a man

  9. #9
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    That is great news!!!! Well done!! xxxx

  10. #10
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    Re: How do I get counselling?

    Dusty

    Great news and the best of luck with it ok?

    Have they told you how many sessions you can have etc?

    Let us know when you start etc.
    __________________
    Nicola

    “Don't be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don't have to live forever, you just have to live.” - Natalie Babbitt

    Please help keep NMP running and donate to the running costs: http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/donate




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