[Anonymous]

Please keep anon, I know people who use this and this is a personal problem that I am not sharing with many of my friends.

I heard from a friend that you can get counselling for free if you are under 25 years old. I don't know if this is true or not, and I was wondering whether if it is possible to get a free service through something like Relate that is more specific to problems related to/affected by relationships?

I wouldn't want us to go to counselling as a couple, it's just for myself, but basically I have A LOT of insecurities and I absolutely need to sort my head out now, I have a lot of issues to do with my body image and that of others and trust issues. I am incredibly lucky to have a boyfriend who has stood by me through this for 3.5 years, but it is just getting worse and worse, and we've agreed that if there's no improvement in my feelings about myself/us in the next 6 months then we're going to end the relationship I really need to seek out some therapy, I really don't feel like I can move forward without it, but I can't afford to pay loads of money on it really

Forgive me if this is in the wrong place also, wasn't sure if I should post it in relationships or mental health...

[aimee__]

As far as I'm aware Relate charge for their services, but it would be a good idea to go and talk to your GP who may be able to refer you for some counselling on the NHS.

[shuttermagic]

Definitely go to your GP, they will be able to put you on a waiting list or in contact with someone that can help.

If you're in education you can also get free counselling services via university etc.
In the meantime if you feel like you need someone to talk to Samaritans is free and may help.

xx

[~ Purple Rose ~]

You can ask your GP to be referred for counselling. Otherwise, look into organisations like Mind, or local young people's places, because they often have counsellors available (or trainees doing placements).

[Anonymous]

Counselling is free on the NHS for everyone, being under 25 doesn't really change things, as soon as you are over 18 you are an adult and seen by adult services. The only difference in this is with psychosis - there are slightly different services for young adults with psychosis.

You need to got your GP for a referral, there may well be a long waiting list so be prepared for this, although when I initially came into services I only waited 3 weeks to see someone from the IAPT team which was pretty quick! Also be prepared that most therapy offered on the NHS is time limited, so you will be referred, assessed and then offered a set number of sessions in which to work through your issues.

You can work on whatever you want with the person you see, and usually you will establish what you want to focus on/achieve early on in the sessions. I see a clinical psychologist and we talk about my relationship with my partner as well as other things.

It is also worth considering what you want from talking to someone. Do you want to talk it out and have someone listen and reflect back to you, or do you want to develop strategies to change your way of thinking? Both are valuable but it might be helpful to think about before you go to your GP. Have a look into CBT and see if you think that would be valuable for you.


Best wishes for finding help.

[Anonymous]

You can go to your GP with this, or in the mean time you might find it helpful to buy a mindfulness/CBT book for depression, anxiety or just general mindfulnes (even those aimed at a particular thing, eg: depression, are generally useful to everyone).

I have found the "green book", Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression, to be useful in improving my self esteem, cognitions and outlook on life in general. I think it's a shame it isn't more widely read!