lack of proper counciling

[zeemiller]

having been placed on c.b.t therapy and attended my first session etc its a real let down as each session is just 20mins long and by time get into room its almost time to leave did get homewrk but that was it and no chance to talk thru anything in great depth.
have tried group counciling but couldnt cope with others being around etc as online its different as its not face to face with mass others etc.
theres only the samaritens that can talk to at depth just seems in area im in v v poor counciling on offer as its either group sessions or 20 mins c.b.t and thats it. there are no mind services in the area so next time at drs gonna ask for a full list of options as this isnt good at all.

[Mrs_cat_lady]

hi, im sory to hear your finding it such a fruitless experience, it works wonders for some. personally speaking, my sessions were always an hour and i got to have a proper chat and get things out i the open.

If its been refered from your doctor i would advice going back and trying to explore other options.
 the other solution i can offer is paying for private councilling.( i only could because my family offered to pay, i couldnt have afforded to pay myself) so i understadn this isnt always a option.

good luck, i can only imagine how upsetting and frustrating this must be.

[Sweetpea]

This is not good at all, 20 minutes just is not long enough.  Hope you get some joy from your dr about alternatives.

S x x x x

[Zaf]

I agree, my sessions were 50 minutes I think

[Catbrian]

Hi zee....what a let down, 20mins...tut. I've never heard of sessions this short.  My one to one's were always 50min and my group therapy 2hrs. I would say at the next session that you find it difficult to engage in the time allocated.  What about Mind....do they offer counselling?

[tharidler]

hi zeemiller
having done cbt as well i think it is terrible that you are only allocated 20mins as there is no way that your therapist can even explain the core work in that time especially if like me you need some things explained more than once i know i may be forunate but i have never had less than an hour in each session one thing i will say is how important the homework is and sometimes you may feel a bit swamped but it is worth it as when finished you will have something to look back at and be able to use as an aid in the future also i believe i read somewhere on here about an online version maybe that could help i hope the doctors can give you the help you need

[zeemiller]

im on employment and support allowence in the work foucused group and all these things with the counciling are supposed to be helping me back into work etc as since my breakdown in 2009 its been a real real struggle life that is. a referal was made through the advisor i have to see ever so often at the local jobcentre but this is the same process as the dr offered with the same councilling and group therapy provider in the area. the homewrk is more helpful than the 20mins one on one, the group therapy was 9omins a session for 6 weeks but i only managed one hour as it was alwful. will have to compleate the 6 weeks 20mins sessions as its part of my support allowence and i couldnt do the group thrapy, i have contacted mind again but there is nothing in the area im in and i really cant travel to a new area etc. will get a list of options from the dr when go and also after these 6 20 mins sessions are up will have a word at the jobcentre. the c.b.t is only available one day in the area im in and seems everone squeezed in to fit as many ppl in as possible so its cut to 20mins very dissapointing altho have to say on a possative not am finding the homework helpful to wrk thru as can spend time on it.

[zeemiller]

supposed to say possative (note ) am finding the homewrk helpful 8-)

[Sweetpea]

Glad you are finding the homework helpful.

S x x x x

[Catbrian]

Zee
I'm a bit shocked that the therapy sessions are so short, in terms of how long each session lasts and also the number of weeks available.  Who exactly provides the therapy....are they private or NHS?

I am guessing the Jobcentre Plus requires you to undertake the therapy whether you like it or not. It's typical of any government attempting to resolve big time problems with inadequate short term measures.   I know I need more therapy but I would resent anyone forcing me into it   

How can 6wks of 20mins therapy sessions help anyone enough to enable them to restart work?   

Never mind, Zee, you sound very eager to find the help you soooo deserve,that can only be a good thing.

Cat

[zeemiller]

all the therapy comes through the (steps to change) place but have found this is full of people in the service that are in work and go there after work etc. seems the esa has linked up with them as quick fire way of getting people back into work but as people know it isnt easy and wont happen as not possible to cure long term problems in 6 20min sessions etc! i did try the group thing that was 90mins but that was a mix of people in work and people who were not and it was just the face to face thing and the moaning i couldnt cope with in an ideal situation i would like a one on one thing that lasts at least an hour and no set time eg 6 weeks as it panics me nothing is there after. I will go along with these 20 min things, think just 3 left now as then no panic they will say i anit going along the path eg so no threat of being taken off esa etc and then will try get something sorted (proper counciling) will speak at jobcentre next appointment and at dr and see if after 20mins sessions if can link to a proper one on one counciling place etc just dissapointed how poor services are and how government reducing everything all the time then trying to quick fix with bog standard quick group therapy or 20 min one on one for 6 weeks. have no idea how many other people are in this possition as it just isnt fair. mind services just not in my area and have contacted them many times.
will continue to wrk thru it tho and get at least something out of homewrk and then take steps to see about another place can link to for help, know dora in the area but have been informed its all group therapy for everyone.

[CharleysAngel']

Hi zee, I know what you mean about lack of proper counselling. Although my situation is slightly different because I am still at school I am sort of going through the same thing. My appointments are only 25-30 minutes once a week and a lot of the time the sessions have been called off due to school events. It also took nearly six months, a lot of phonecalls, paperwork and tears to actually get the sessions in the first place. Hope you get more help soon xxx

[Catbrian]

Zee....Well done you for sticking it out, you're doing the right thing for yourself - get as much personal benefit as you can out of it. But keep pressing the GP for proper 50 min one to one sessions with a psychotherapist.

This is also a great place to get things off your chest.  Good luck

Cat

[tharidler]

hi there
after reading all your posts im surprised the more i read at how lucky i have been i live in berkshire and it always seems as services are getting cut but i have been pretty lucky my first cbt was with two others and we had two hours a week for about twenty weeks an anxiety course was with about twenty others and that was an hour a time i know not everyone can handle group but i managed to deal with it eventually anyway my point in a roundabout way is please keep pushing for the help you deserve i hope you get it

[zeemiller]

thanks for all the replies its really helps as u realise others suffer as well and dnt feel so alone etc .