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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 10, 2006, at 15:05:46
Any ideas?
I've never had any therapy, and I think I would maybe benefit from it.
Well I would like to try CBT too.
Any idea how I go about finding one?? (And what is the rough cost?)
I live in Nottingham.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by LegWarmers on April 10, 2006, at 23:04:56
In reply to How do I find a good T in the UK?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 10, 2006, at 15:05:46
Im not sure... you could chekc the British psychological association website, or ask your pdoc or Gp.
Its not always easy to find someone and you might need to see a couple before you feel like you have the right one.
hope you have some luck
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 11, 2006, at 8:12:31
In reply to Re: How do I find a good T in the UK?, posted by LegWarmers on April 10, 2006, at 23:04:56
Thanks!
I've just emailed a few that are registered with the british pysch. association, or something like that (they are chartered pyschologists, whatever that means). I even rang up about an 'assertiveness' workshop that one of them is holding on Thursday. Its quite expensive isn't it? Well I suppose so. I'm not used to paying for healthcare (its free here in the UK). Its about £40-£60 which is, erm, I guess $60-$80. Does that sound about right?
Anyway. Oh well.
Meri
Posted by NikkiT2 on April 11, 2006, at 8:14:17
In reply to Re: How do I find a good T in the UK?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 11, 2006, at 8:12:31
Have you asked your GP or Psychiatrist about getting it on the NHS?
Nikki
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 11, 2006, at 12:15:36
In reply to Re: How do I find a good T in the UK? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by NikkiT2 on April 11, 2006, at 8:14:17
Hiya Nikki,
Hmm, well, no, sort of.
I saw a counsellor when I lived in Bath, but I could only get 6 sessions on the NHS, so I had one, hated it, and didn't bother with the remaining five sessions. I've also seen a CPN, but well, at that time I was at uni, and I was pretty bad so we didn't really accomplish anything, if you know what I mean.
I asked about seeing a counsellor to my new GP and er, he's a nastly little man and is completely, I mean completely clueless about mental illness, but thankfully, he's so clueless that he's referring me to a pdoc, who I haven't seen yet. There was a mix up..... anyway, the nasty GP sort of said that there wasn't anything availble and anyway there were long waiting times. Sort of brushed me off. But again, hes a nasty little man. The only reason why I saw him was to ask for a referral to a pdoc, because he is the most senior person at the health centre. But for other issues, I'll definately see someone else.
I will ask about it when I (or indeed if I) see a pdoc (on the NHS). But the thing is, I don't see how you can get any real benefit from just six sessions. I would imagine that you'd need a good few weeks at least....
Oh well.
Kind regards
Meri
Posted by NikkiT2 on April 11, 2006, at 16:33:53
In reply to Re: How do I find a good T in the UK? » NikkiT2, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 11, 2006, at 12:15:36
I promise you not all therapists only offer 6 sessions.. I had CBT for 2 years on the NHS (admittedly after a long wait, but thats a whole other issue *L*)..
If you're a student, you should be able to get help from their counselling service.. or there are often places that work on a sliding scale as to what you can afford.. BPS is probably your best bet for trying to find anything lik ethat. Unfortunately, most do tend to be in the larger towns and cities..
Also, I've never used it, but there is a consultant guide on Dr Foster - http://www.drfoster.co.uk/localservices/consGuide.asp Might help lead you somewhere
Nikki
Posted by Fi on April 16, 2006, at 17:29:18
In reply to How do I find a good T in the UK?, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 10, 2006, at 15:05:46
Sorry- this is just a list of rather unconnected points, and also I dont remember properly what other people have said..!
Good idea to talk with the pdoc about possible options- tho it may be a wait to see him/her. They vary too, and will usually only have clear ideas on NHS provision (eg if there is a CPN or someone else who can do CBT- psychologists are the 'experts', but they can have waiting lists of several months).Wont necessarily have details of local counsellors, tho. Might suggest a local counselling organisation.
I suspect £40ish isnt that unusual in London- I've paid that recently (general counsellor and a psychologist. But maybe it should be cheaper in Nottingham?
Worth having time-limited therapy, if offered. Apart from anything else, gives you a chance to try out therapy for free.NHS may be group or individual sessions (both have pros and cons).
BACP is the website I would look at first. It includes counsellors as well, and has a searchable directory. http://www.bacp.co.uk/
There are quite a lot in Nottingham (the ones in blue are a better idea, as they are members of the relevant professional groups. But an organisation can be an easier start, and I see that there is a Nottingham Counselling Centre? Tho if you go there, check that the person you see is a member of BACUP or UKCP (the professional groups).
It does come down to the advice on any service you are paying for- feel free to try several. That is difficult if you are feeling bad, and I've certainly slogged thru several months with someone I really didnt get on with. I didnt have the energy to tell her it wasnt working. It can be personality that clashes- which happens. Or this one who was a qualified counsellor but hopeless!! Her understanding of cognitive therapy was that you always pointed out the bright side of things, rather than the real ones.
But I think that now I would be more assertive. You're paying for it, after all. And spending a lot of time and effort on it, too.
You can try CBT with a book, as a starter to see if the general idea suits you? The 'Feeling good handbook' listed right at the start of this board is a good example. Some people just use a book, but its easier with a person. There are also free online programmes from reputable organisations that you can do yourself eg
MoodGym at http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/ You do need to register, but it seems completely legit and I've never had any spam or anything.Try a different GP- presumably there is more than one at the practice? Tho at least he referred you, you do need to have a reasonable GP. In my experience, I got one appt with a junior psychiatrist then they talked to their consultant then wrote a letter to my GP. Then its up to my GP to continue doing the care- it wasnt taken over by the pdoc. And whatever, you do need a GP who is more interested in mental health!
Sorry this has gone on rather. Lots of luck!
Fi
> Any ideas?
>
> I've never had any therapy, and I think I would maybe benefit from it.
>
> Well I would like to try CBT too.
>
> Any idea how I go about finding one?? (And what is the rough cost?)
>
> I live in Nottingham.
>
> Kind regards
>
> Meri
Posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 19, 2006, at 5:50:23
In reply to Re: How do I find a good T in the UK? » Meri-Tuuli, posted by Fi on April 16, 2006, at 17:29:18
Hi Fi,
Thanks so much for your helpful reply. It certainly was helpful!! I'm a complete newbie when it comes to therapy I'm afraid, although I wish I'd looked into it sooner! I guess part of my problem is that I sort of pretend things aren't as bad - that and I've moved around quite alot so my GP never really knows how bad it is. I just sort of say, 'I was on cipramil, can I have some more'? Or that kind of thing.
Anyway, I'm actually really confused at the moment -- like I said before I'm supposed to be waiting for an appt with a pdoc, but unfortuately I suspect that something like what happened to you will happen. I have plain old unipolar depression/anxiety, and I am realistic that pdocs (on the NHS anyway) seem to be so stretched that they only see the cases of schizophrenia or or something abit more 'exotic' than plain depression.
I'm hoping that I will get something re: counselling etc on the NHS, but when I asked my GP about it, my sort of dismissed the idea. He is so clueless its unbelievable. Well, anyway the only reason why I'm sticking with him is because he referred me to the pdoc anyway, so I don't want to go behind his back and see a different GP. But then again, even if I were to see a different GP, I wonder what they would do, probably not much, they seem to think that SSRIs are the answer to everything. Well, I think I will give it a go anyway.
Actually, I have bought that book by David Burns -- I have tried doing it, but it gets abit overwhelming, and I'm pretty hopeless about keeping to the exercises. I have zero motivation at the best of times! But maybe if I can get to see a counsellor on the NHS, or get get a CPN with knowledge of CBT then I would love to give it a go properly. I think it is helpful. Although my boyfriend refuses to avoid the word 'should' and doesn't quite get it....which is one of david burns' rules as I'm sure you are aware of.
I just feel as if the system has failed me completely. I mean, if I had a physical illness that has impacted on my life so much or left me for days on end in bed, then there would be all kinds of help on the NHS I'm sure! Even if I had schzitphrenia or some other exotic mental illness or even if I was a heroin addict I'm sure there would be alot more help available. I don't know if your experiences have been this way or not....anyway. I'm just angry at the system here in the UK.
Thanks for the advice,
Meri
Posted by Fi on April 20, 2006, at 15:35:28
In reply to Re: How do I find a good T in the UK? » Fi, posted by Meri-Tuuli on April 19, 2006, at 5:50:23
Hello again!
>
> Anyway, I'm actually really confused at the moment -- like I said before I'm supposed to be waiting for an appt with a pdoc, but unfortuately I suspect that something like what happened to you will happen. I have plain old unipolar depression/anxiety, and I am realistic that pdocs (on the NHS anyway) seem to be so stretched that they only see the cases of schizophrenia or or something abit more 'exotic' than plain depression.
>
They should still be a help- one advantage of having something common is that they are very familiar with the range of medications (particularly) and other approaches. Definitely more skilled on that than GPs. So we may be a bit routine, but may still get some helpful action! My first appt took about an hour, and was an assessment about everything. Then they decided what to try, and referred back to my gp. I asked for a copy of recent notes after I knew the GP had the letter, so I got a copy of the letter- handy!> GP
You've got the referral, which was what you were after. Its not going behind his back to swap GPs, and its within a group practice, no paperwork involved. If its swapping to a new practice, you dont need to ask your current GP.Its such a help to have a GP who is less dismissive- good to have an ally, even if only for 6 minutes per time! Since the approach of my local lot is pdoc sees once then back to GP, its particularly important that you have a decent GP to work with.
I think its a problem that there is such an acute shortage of NHS counselling/pscyhology provision. So even for the GPs who are looking more widely, the only option they can get short-term is the medication. But its promising if you get one who at least recognises that the pills arent everything! And there are also the self help sort of things eg exercise can help with mild/moderate depression, so they should mention that.
>Well, I think I will give it a go anyway.
>
Yea- well worth a try> Actually, I have bought that book by David Burns -- I have tried doing it, but it gets abit overwhelming, and I'm pretty hopeless about keeping to the exercises. I have zero motivation at the best of times!
I didnt get very far with the book either. I did get reasonably far into the 'Moodgym' thing, which is in nice small 'doses' and you can stop anytime, and much clearer. Not that it will suit everyone. Cant remember if I mentioned the url- http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/moodlogin.asp
So its maybe worth a try of something easier and shorter than the book as an in-between.
I know about the motivation thing- all too well! Loads of things I should be dong and just dont.. (oops- did you notice that should!?)
>But maybe if I can get to see a counsellor on the NHS, or get get a CPN with knowledge of CBT then I would love to give it a go properly. I think it is helpful.
Yup. pdoc should have some idea about local NHS provision, so you know if you can get something soon-ish. If its absolutely ages, it may be worth just checking the local private counselling lot, to see if they have anyone who is skilled in CBT, what it would cost, and what the waiting list is like.
I would love to have a CPN I could contact in general- CBT skills a bonus! I've only actually met one, but have heard about a few others and they sound great.
But the priority can often be people with 'serious mental illness', as you say .Which really irritates me- it implies that depression isnt. And its only as they dont like the S word.
> Although my boyfriend refuses to avoid the word 'should' and doesn't quite get it....which is one of david burns' rules as I'm sure you are aware of.
Maybe you could get him to read the booklet/do Moodgym or something similar !! Other people can be burdensome!! And if they automatically ones who do 'shoulds' without even thinking about it, that's tough.
There is a short page at http://www.depressionalliance.org/docs/help/friends_and_family.html
>
> I just feel as if the system has failed me completely. I mean, if I had a physical illness that has impacted on my life so much or left me for days on end in bed, then there would be all kinds of help on the NHS I'm sure!I dont know if it helps, but actually lots of people dont get help. Unless they are in hospital (eg in traction for serious fractures). Or are having something really horrible (eg chemo).
It would just be SO NICE nice to have some NHS person who was genuinely interested and also helpful, wouldnt it? I'm not expecting someone to get over involved. But a small amount of empathy and interest...
We dont have all the horrors of places like the uS without health insurance. But if you do, I bet you get a better deal.
>Even if I had schzitphrenia or some other exotic mental illness or even if I was a heroin addict I'm sure there would be alot more help available.
I bet that there would be more effort, at least at the beginning.
> I don't know if your experiences have been this way or not....anyway. I'm just angry at the system here in the UK.
>
Oh so much! And I can get very resentful at how the resources are allocated- mental health comes a lot further down the list than something 'nicer' like heart attacks or allergies- particularly sick children.Thanks to society and its priorities. Then we are seen as low priority in the mental health patch- unless we are actually suicidal. You wouldnt get that in physical illness- if you are in intense pain, you get painkillers, rather than waiting till the pain was making life unbearable.
I do all sorts of things from the health perspective, like trying to eat healthily, not smoke, or drink too much. But someone who eats chips and burgers and Coke and smokes lots will be ahead of me in NHS funding when they get heart disease.
Sorry- I needed to have a rant too! Can feel so alone. I do find it helps to go to a Depression Alliance group, with other people with depression. Its a bit hit and miss about who else is there, and there isnt an official 'leader'. But helps a bit.
I know lots of other people would find what I say disgraceful, but in this context I dont care!! I think you will understand, which is what matters.
Good luck with the pdoc, and get rid of that GP!!
Fi
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