Therapy

[Spirit]

Good news everyone,

I after about two months wait finally managed to meet the Councillor at NHS  

I was so relieved and talked too much off my head perhaps and as predicted didn't open up yet managed to tell most of what I wanted to say. Hehe, I know the Councillor would be used to that though.

Couple of issues that came out of the screening session..

Firstly, she suggested that the schedules are heavily booked and she would put me on to a coleague ( male  and NHS ) for a second review, and asked me if I could set aside some money for therapy. She told that there were schemes etc by which the cost would be minimal. Is this normal ? Is this standars NHS procedure or does this mean she is trying to find if i can afford a private therapist ? I flatly refused the idea of seeing a private therapist because frankly I cant afford it because I am looking at the long run ( which she herself gladly agreed is the best option for me )

Secondly,
She was thinking in terms of exploratory psychodynamic therapy. Anyway she also wanted to get the independant opinion of the second councillor whom I am going to meet in a while because she wanted to make ceratin that I get the right sort of councelling. Can anyone who is familiar with the therapy methodologies let me know or guide me to more information about the therapy types and why they are suggested ?


Thanks in advance
Spirit  

[Anonymous]

Hi Spirit,

Congratulations on seeing a counselor. Good for you!  

I don't know how NHS works since I'm in the USA.

Psychodynamic therapy is where the therapist looks at your projections and internal world, and talks to you about your childhood, thinks about the transference and stuff like that. It's more about the unconscious than is cognitive-behavioral therapy. It's the kind of therapy I like to have.

bunny

[BlueTopaz]

Spirit,

Like Bunny, I am also not in UK, so don't know about NHS
standards.  

Sometimes dream interpretation is used as part of psychodynamic therapy, so perhaps this is what is meant by side treatments with added pay.  Though a main psychoanalytic therapist could do it (and just about everything I'd guess), without sending you elsewhere/specialist.  

Maybe you are seeing a couselor mainly, with some sporadic input from a therapist, that would require the added $.   I don't know if it differs in the  UK in that credentials for a counselor (and what they are able to do) would differ from a therapist.   I really couldn't say without more info.

You can always search online for NHS standards, and hook up with some discussion groups related to therapy, that are UK based.   This might help answer some of your questions better.

As far as the therapy, though there are similarities, there are differences between psychodynamic therapy and  psychoanalysis.  

Again, I'd recommend doing an Internet search on PD therapy, and you will find out much, much more than someone could write here in an answer for you.

There is a ton of very, very detailed information regarding all therapy types, and why they are suggested.

Also, do not hesitate to ask your actual therapist or counselor about these things.   They should be willing to take the time to explain to you why they suggested this for you, and the goals of treatment.  

If you ask, you will get an answer most specific to you (as opposed to general aimed online reading), meaning, what about your specific circumstances would make x therapy type a good choice.    

Best of luck!

[Onyx]

Alla akba......god almighty and jezzzzzzus H christ all rolled into one, you've hit the jackpot!!!! You've managed to receive treatment on the NHS.......you lucky thing!!! If I were you I'd have a go at the lottery tonight cos you're on a steak here honey!!

Now for the bad news........NHS treatment is limited to between 12 and 18 sessions if your lucky.......which in your case is fortunate cos you are !

Now for the really bad news.........depending on the depth of your problems........it could take years of therapy to sort them out fully. The best way of approaching it is to take what you can, when you can and as cheaply as possible! Also if you can cut down on one or two things elsewhere, it would be worth it in the lond run. After all, it's you well being and future happiness that's as stake here. I thoroughly recomment Cognitive Therapy as a good way forward, but it all depends upon you and your confessor (therapist) and the relationship you strike up!

One final thing, plead poverty on each and every occassion! £30 quid is very good £40 is the norm a session.

In the meantime: http://www.bacp.co.uk

David

[Anonymous]

Thanks a lot Bunny, BlueTopaz and David for your input.

Bunny, I too prefer it and was happy that she suggested psychodynamic therapy. Although I was not aware of the term at that time we had a decent discussion about what I wanted and I am glad that she too suggested what I had hoped for anyway.

I also did some googling on the word and came across two forms of psychodynamic therapy, supportive and exploratory, plus psychoanalysis. I think I will do more research about this and try talking more about it with the second introductory session with the other Counsellor too

Hi BlueTopaz, I met a Counsellor and I think the reason she asked if I could afford to pay is because the NHS list is usually full. Thanks for suggesting searching the net, yes I did that and did come across some useful information about the system here.

I think I will definitely ask the second Counsellor who is again going to have an introductory session with me about more finite details about the system and that too in specific what is applicable and open for me. Thanks a lot for suggesting me that

Hi David,
I think I would definitely want more sessions and I am of the understanding that that is what the Counsellor thought too. I am sure it would be more than 12 sessions. I think the NHS offers standard short term therapy, ie. 6 sessions. Personally I think psychodynamic therapy would suit me as I am for the long haul and am insightful anyway and am glad ythats the conclusion the Counsellor came to too. I think the NHS don't have such long term sessions available at the moment but would be refering me to a counsellor.

I did ask my GP and yes the standard rate is around £30 but my Counsellor suggested that she will get me schemes and that the cost would be a lot lesser  I flatly said the GP aswell as the counsellor that £30 per session is way beyond my means and it is, and she said not to worry it will be less.

What I was confused is I didnt realise that there would be a second evaluation sort of thing. She said she wanted to see if her colleague would come to the same conclusion about the right kind of therapy I might need and that she liked to have a second opinion. Any way I dont care.. bring on the Counsellors !  

Thanks for the link too. Also I found out the link of the UKCP UK Council for Psychotherapy. It clarifies some doubts about British standards of therapy and the kind of therapies offered etc

The smiling Spirit

[cj]

Hi Spirit.
Don't have much knowledge exactly of the different types of therapy, or the ins and outs of them, I'm sure others here have more idea. I have been doing psychodynamic based (I think!)  therapy in a group situation for over two years. I'm from the UK to, and didn't have to wait long when I was finally given it on the NHS. Cost isn't really an issue, since its on the NHS, but I guess the fact I didn't have to wait long, was a rarity though (only waitied a few months) That said, I was in and out the system, and given useless treatment for years before. :S.

Good luck.

Good news everyone,

I after about two months wait finally managed to meet the Councillor at NHS  

I was so relieved and talked too much off my head perhaps and as predicted didn't open up yet managed to tell most of what I wanted to say. Hehe, I know the Councillor would be used to that though.

Couple of issues that came out of the screening session..

Firstly, she suggested that the schedules are heavily booked and she would put me on to a coleague ( male  and NHS ) for a second review, and asked me if I could set aside some money for therapy. She told that there were schemes etc by which the cost would be minimal. Is this normal ? Is this standars NHS procedure or does this mean she is trying to find if i can afford a private therapist ? I flatly refused the idea of seeing a private therapist because frankly I cant afford it because I am looking at the long run ( which she herself gladly agreed is the best option for me )

Secondly,
She was thinking in terms of exploratory psychodynamic therapy. Anyway she also wanted to get the independant opinion of the second councillor whom I am going to meet in a while because she wanted to make ceratin that I get the right sort of councelling. Can anyone who is familiar with the therapy methodologies let me know or guide me to more information about the therapy types and why they are suggested ?


Thanks in advance
Spirit