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Finding a therapist/counsellor?

• Message 1. 

  Posted by Curiously Frittering (U5481361) on Monday, 29th March 2010

  
  How does one go about doing this?
  
  CFx

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Campbell in Farewell Clogs (U14226916) on Monday, 29th March 2010

  via your GP?

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 2.

  Posted by SmoctusMole (U13882662) on Monday, 29th March 2010

  I think possibly the GP/NHS route might prove slow to deliver and inadequate to needs. But I don't really know, so will be interested (and grateful) to see what response comes from MLers.

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by Ellie May (U2222618) on Monday, 29th March 2010

  is where I got mine. But it's not on the NHS so I have to pay. It's possible to get a limited number of sessions (usually six to eight CBT sessions) through your GP, although this varies from practice to practice.
  
  I have a GP friend whose practice provides a much more comprehensive psychotherapeutic service - unlimited sessions for a fixed number of patients every year - as they worked out that the overall psychiatric bill for the practice was less that way. So you might be lucky with your GP.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by Borsetshire Blue (U2260326) on Monday, 29th March 2010

  It's possible to get a limited number of sessions (usually six to eight CBT sessions) through your GP, although this varies from practice to practice.  
  
  It varies a lot both in the number of sessions availabe and the techniques used. Not all counsellors attached to GPs use CBT and not all are limited to a set number of sessions . Those who have their supervision from the local Psychology service will normally have a range of therapeutic techniques at their disposal and will only decide which one to use once they have met the client.
  
  I'd agree with the advice to start by asking your GP for a referral.
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by justpottering (U10058555) on Monday, 29th March 2010

  I would echo the BACP site to find a therapist, members sign up to a code of ethics and continue to develop professionally
  
  
  
  But I am also aware of many good therapists who are not members of BACP but another body this one for example
  
  
  
  Personally I would try to use one from one of the above, as you can be somewhat assured that they are qualified and a member of the industry associations.
  
  Also worth asking the GP if you want to, it may be available as others have mentioned, but this depends on whether you want your GP to be aware.
  
  You can look locally to see if there are any, but again see if they belong to an association or are accredited, it does give you some comeback if needed as such organisations have advice and information for clients, and a complaints procedure if needed - although I sincerely hope you will not.
  
  jp

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by Curiously Frittering (U5481361) on Tuesday, 30th March 2010

  Thanks all.
  
  The BACP website was very useful: got a 'taster session' booked with someone from there.
  
  Thanks.
  CFx

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 6.

  Posted by twocherrytrees (U8095591) on Tuesday, 30th March 2010

  Yes whether you want your GP to know can be important.
  It depends what you are looking for in therapy/counselling as well.
  But if you go via your GP it is on your medical record; think of all the times and places you might be asked to disclose your medical record - jobs, insurance, etc. You may not want that (even if you dont think its a problem now, it may be later). Go direct if you can (though I know this means in practice you have to pay, but you dont have to go every week ).
  2CTs
  
  

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 8.

  Posted by twocherrytrees (U8095591) on Tuesday, 30th March 2010

  (Pressed send too soon:
  
  Hope whatever you do helps.
  
  2CTs

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Bette (U2222559) on Tuesday, 30th March 2010

  in reply to Curiously Frittering in message 7
  Remember, if you aren't happy with the consultation, you /can/ say no to any further sessions, and look elsewhere.
  
  I have a 'curate's egg' experience of various psychologists/therapists (for our children). A couple of them did more damage than good (and guess which ones tried to convince child to continue with them, despite no empathy!).

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by Bearhug (U2258283) on Tuesday, 30th March 2010

  I found one through , third session tomorrow. I just searched by postcode (home and work), though I did then look at the specialisms of the ones it brought up. I've been lucky - I can talk to her, and she's a little cheaper than others in the area, plus she's gone over an hour for no extra charge (or more accurately, she's let me go over an hour for no extra charge) the two sessions I've had so far, and we're both happy to continue.
  
  Some years back, I did see a therapist through work, who wasn't right for me, (I suspect it wasn't really the right time for me, either,) but I wasn't confident enough at the time to say so, so I went to each session. I don't know if I'd have behaved the same way if I'd been paying myself.

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 11.

  Posted by Kind Mrs Van Rentl (U2315000) on Wednesday, 31st March 2010

  I'd be really interested to know, from anyone who has had or is having therapy, what benefits they have found, and in what way it has changed their thinking or behaviour.
  
  KMvR

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 12.

  Posted by Bearhug (U2258283) on Wednesday, 31st March 2010

  I don't know if it's changed my thinking or behaviour yet - well, I suppose it has changed my thinking to some extent. It's made me see a lot of patterns in my life I wasn't fully conscious of, and it certainly is making me think a lot. It is nice to have time to talk about /me/ without feeling guilty about it, that I should be talking about the other person. It may change my behaviour - it's only been 3 sessions so far. Anyway, I am not going so much to change my behaviour, but more to understand why I am the way I am - that might well have the result that I change behaviour to change the patterns, but I don't think we're there yet.

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• Message 14

  , in reply to message 13.

  Posted by Curiously Frittering (U5481361) on Wednesday, 31st March 2010

  
  
  It might sound really bad, but that is one of the main reasons I am going to give it a go, Bearhug.
  
  I am the strong one for all of my friends. I am the listener, organiser and problem solver. I just don't feel like I can talk to them without trying to solve their (many) problems. And although the b/f is very understanding, I don't want to talk to him about my problems all the time because it is starting to become the focus of out relationship, and that is not a path I want to go down. I want to be able to have fun with him!!
  
  I think I'm just looking to tell someone about all the silly things I feel without feeling that they are too silly - and that I'm probably not the most messed up person they have ever seen! I also know myself well enough to know that the embarrassment about having problems is hopefully going to be less if I go to someone who sees people regularly who have much bigger problems. Not sure that makes sense.
  
  I never thought I needed someone to talk to - but the other night it just occurred to me, and suddenly I thought it would be a really useful thing to try. I know that feeling guilty about taking up other peoples time with my problems has actually made me feel much worse than when I only had the problems in my head!
  
  Oh dear! But I don't think I'm a hopeless case!
  
  I'm glad someone mentioned the point about it being on your medical record if you go through your gp. I'd rather it wasn't!
  
  CFx

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• Message 15

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by Bearhug (U2258283) on Wednesday, 31st March 2010

  the other night it just occurred to me, and suddenly I thought it would be a really useful thing to try.  
  I think the important thing is to try it - if you find it doesn't work for you, you don't have to keep doing it. (Though it's probably worth considering whether it's the other person you're not clicking with, rather than the process itself - someone different would make it a different experience.)

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• Message 16

  , in reply to message 15.

  Posted by Dunlurkin NL (U2675855) on Friday, 16th April 2010

  Bump in response to a request in TB.
  
  
  
  
  Dunlurkin

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• Message 17

  , in reply to message 16.

  Posted by Curiously Frittering (U5481361) on Friday, 16th April 2010

  As I started the thread, I thought as its been bumped I'd give an update.
  
  I went to the BACP website and looked on there. Then I looked on various websites of people close to me. I arranged to meet one person for a (free) half hour meeting to discuss what I thought I was looking for, etc and just to see if I felt comfortable and got on with the person. I did, and I've now seen them for one proper session.
  
  Stolenkisses, I'm in Edinburgh and say there were lots of people on the BACP local to me. I'd rather not give a recommendation of the person I found, just because I think it might be a trial and error sort of thing really to see who any individual gels with.
  
  I'd recommend your friend going to chat with someone about how counselling could help them - just so they can see if it is right for them. I feel like I need somewhere to have a good whinge and feel a bit sorry for myself, but also realise I am allowed to do that. RL isn't allowing the space or opportunity for that right now. So its very personal I suppose.
  
  I hope that helps. I'm already glad I was brave and took the leap.
  
  CFx
  
  

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• Message 18

  , in reply to message 17.

  Posted by stolenkisses (U6230663) on Friday, 16th April 2010

  Thank you CF and Dunlurkin, how very kind you all are.
  
  The BACP site looks excellent, the ideal place for my friend to start, plus it looks affordable.
  
  I'm seeing them tonight, so will show them this.
  
  sk

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• Message 19

  , in reply to message 17.

  Posted by Kate McLaren etc (U2202067) on Friday, 16th April 2010

  Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:50 GMT, in reply to Curiously Frittering in message 17
  
  Pity I didn't see this earlier as what with one thing and another I know quite a few of the counsellors in Embra and could have recommended one...or two...or three....I hope that you have found the right person, but if not, gie's a shout (I think you have my owl, and if not I am in Peet's place) and I will recommend...

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