not really new here

[mrnotsomoody]

was here before as mrmoody but hopefully not as moody this time. I went to see a counsellor today, an assessment at Mind. It went well till I was told I might be waiting another 9-12 months to see someone. Have just waited 6 months for an assessment. So I just give up, no point. I wanted to speak about my unresolved feelings for my ex and how I feel unable to move on emotionally. My god, give it another 12 months and I will have probably moved on myself without the aid of counselling. Didnt really help much. Well the counselling could have helped but...

One thing I realised today talking about my past, is how really and truly messed up I am and its no wonder I cant form intimate relationships.

[bookletters]

Hello there and welcome back!
Have you tried "moodgym"? It's a free CBT counselling programme that you can do online.
Also, many towns now offer self referal talking therapy services. Perhaps you could ask your GP about it as they'll have the brochures / phone numbers to call.

[mrnotsomoody]

I have tried CBT briefly before and to be honest its not for me, I would prefer a talking therapy one-to-one like counselling. Perhaps a private counselling but its expensive and not something I can afford right now.

[Pip]

Welcome back and I will change your membergroup  +-_

[bookletters]

A lot of us wouldn't be able to afford one to one therapy unfortunately!!

[mrnotsomoody]

I dont understand, what do you mean??

[bookletters]

A lot of people with depression have money issues due to having to have time off. I would love to one to one therapy too but it is expensive and if depression is causing you trouble with work then you don't have the money for it!!

[Sweetpea]

Hello  +-_ and welcome back not so moody - Mr NotsoMoody  $%$.  What a pain having to wait so long for the counselling you need it NOW not in 12 months time.

Luv S x x x x

[mrnotsomoody]

Thanks Shaz. Bookletters, I am not off work with depression, I just dont have many hrs per week at work right now due to various factors. I was just having a rant and a moan about the current state of affairs regarding counselling, which I have been told by an ex-cpn that I briefly saw as a client this year, that the long counselling lists with both GP's and organisations like Mind are due to the budget and spending cuts made by the current govt. Theres nothing I or we can do about it, its just frustrating and maddening to have to deal with. I have waited 6 months for just an assessment. My GP wasnt much better when I approached them, basically told the same thing, a wait of up to a year.

I could really do with counselling right now as could many others but what can we do? I cant afford private counselling either as money is tight right now. I am just glad I am no suicidal as I was 4-5 months ago and it cant be very helpful to those people who are and who need immediate help. Its the people at the bottom, yet again, that are going to suffer as a result of these cuts, not the elite or the people at the top,some of who helped get us in this mess in the first place. So much for the 'Big Society' eh!

I am just venting bookletters, I dont expect an answer here or any resolution either. I thankfully decided to make positive changes in my life i.e taking up exercise, yoga, martial arts and giving up booze and most junk foods as well as smoking. But I am still in need emotionally even though I have made these positive changes. I really do feel for anyone suicidal right now who is being told 'you could be waiting a year' to see a counsellor.

[nickemj]

I know what you mean about private counselling and cost.  I wanted to do this for a long time but didn't have the money.

In October 2009, I was referred to a therapist who agreed to take me on and together we applied for a bursary from the London Clinic of Psychoanalysis.  This enabled me to see my counsellor 5 times a week, which has been really useful in discussing my thoughts and experiences in 'real time' and seeing how my thoughts and behaviours are (a) linked to earlier unresolved issues (b) affecting my life now and could be changed.  At times over the years it's literally been a lifesaver. 

The cost of each session is £35, of which the London clinic pays £31 (I pay £4 per session) which usually works out at around £60-70 a month.  With a few changes (e.g. taking packed lunch/thermos of coffee when out) I am able to afford this.  I have the bursary for three years (runs out next Feb).

Just wanted to let you know there is financial help out there and I would really recommend applying to the London Clinic if you're interested in psychoanalysis (not for everyone but has been really good for me - though not a magic cure and requires a lot of commitment when things are difficult).  Happy to forward any details to anyone who is interested.

Hope this helps.  Take care!
N

[Catbrian]

Pleased to read your not so moody.  You seem to have been making massive positive changes to your life.  All that takes so much self-discipline to maintain.

It's shocking to be waiting so long for therapy through the NHS.  Yes, cuts maybe their current excuse, but in my experience, this has been the state of affairs for many years.  I once was assessed for Psycho-therapy and agreed on a 2 yr group therapy course.  I waited on their ruddy waiting list for almost 3 long years.  At the time, I was desperately depressed and suicidal, but had next to no help from professionals.  By the time the Therapy did materialise, I was back on my feet and employed.  Although the therapy proved invaluable in helping me to move on from some very traumatic childhood events.  It would obviously help you now in working through any unresolved issues.

That is very interesting what nick has said about the London Clinic.  That sort of therapy would be ideal for you.

Good luck

[mrnotsomoody]

nick where do I find out more about this London Clinic, just google it right?

Catb thats bloody awful, you waited that long even before these spending cuts? Thats just outrageous, so its gone from bad to worse then! When I first went in for counselling it was a 3-4 month wait maximum. This was about 13 years ago though.

The discipline to maintain my new positive gains in my life is this: what is there to go back to? Do I really want booze, fags, being overweight and bad food in my life? Better to try and see if I can improve my mood and wellbeing through exercise, yoga and martial arts than sit around and be miserable. And if it doesnt work (so far it has helped) then I can say I at least tried. I just need help with the deep emotional stuff, the hurt I still carry around. To move on.

[nickemj]

Hi

Their address is Byron House, 112A Shirland Road, Maida Vale, London W9 2FQ.  Tel: 020 7563 5002
E-mail: Clinic@iopa.org.uk

The person I spoke to was Ms Naomi Shavit who is chair of the subsidies panel.  The application process was really straighforward and involved a 5-10 min chat over the phone about what analysis involved and if I was willing to do it (that was it).  If you want to talk through deepseated experiences and emotions then this is a really this is the talking therapy to go for!

It might be worth chatting to them and then seeing if they could point you towards a therapist in your area who would be willing to work with you through the subsidy scheme.

It has helped me to come to terms with a lot of difficult experiences and emotions.  The focus is very much on exploring subconscious thoughts and associations, through the patient-therapist relationship, and how these influence your day to day thinking.  It's been very worthwhile but hard work.

Hope this helps.  Happy to give you any further info.  Good luck with finding the right therapist for you.

Nick

[Catbrian]

Your outlook is very positive.  The self-discipline required for such major change to anyone's is enormous.  I wish ya the best of luck.

A grant from the London Clinic for psycho-therapy sounds just what you need.  I hope that goes well.

Hope your doin ok

[mrnotsomoody]

Nick, what should I say/ask them in my email? Not sure how to approach them