private counselling

hi
just wanted to know whether anyone has made experience with that in comparison to the nhs. i was told i would have to pay £280 per hour which is just incredibly expensive (in my opinion).

Reply 1

kitty_koo

12

my sisters trying to get me to see a counsellor,try and find your local Disabilty Resource Centre they should have a counsellor there and it should be free

Reply 2

lou p lou

2

mouse89

my sisters trying to get me to see a counsellor,try and find your local Disabilty Resource Centre they should have a counsellor there and it should be free

i'm not sure what your situtation is, but a lot of schools/ colleges/ universities have their own counselling services that are free

lou xxx

Reply 3

Talya

16

lou p

i'm not sure what your situtation is, but a lot of schools/ colleges/ universities have their own counselling services that are free

lou xxx

The company your parents work for (if it's a large one) may have an Employee Assisstance Scheme that also covers you, they may find you a counsellor :smile:

Reply 4

Dhesi

2

Ive never been in a counseling situation. I assure you however the NHS will provide the same service. Why dont you want to use the NHS?

Reply 5

zav

14

It is free is your under 18 i think.
Like most NHS services when you get over that magic age you have to pay for everything

Reply 6

713

2

i am having counselling with the nhs, but i don't have regular sessions (the last time i saw someone was 6 weeks ago) for whatever reasons.
the school and my gp have rang them a few times to tell them to send me to a professional but they have long waiting lists and the nhs seems not be interested in my situation.

Reply 7

713

2

oh by the way i am anonymous (if you didn't notice)

Reply 8

Girl_Anachronism

I receive free counselling through my school. I don't know if all places do this, though. I'm glad mine does!

Reply 9

713

2

now then, has anyone made experience with that or not?
and is £280 the standart rate?

Reply 10

amywalters

1

I got a counsellor when i was at school, didnt pay anything! she was great :smile:

Reply 11

jointhedots

16

Anonymous

hi
just wanted to know whether anyone has made experience with that in comparison to the nhs. i was told i would have to pay £280 per hour which is just incredibly expensive (in my opinion).

I have my CBT privately, it costs around £100 for an hour session which I've been told is pretty standard. I'm insured though so I'm not sure if that reduces the cost.

Plus I get to go to the Priory - better class of mentalist there you know :p:

Reply 12

jointhedots

16

Should probably say though that getting it on the NHS will give you exactly the same service, so unless there's a massive waiting list then try to go for that...I believe it was well over a year in my area.

But if you're under 18 you'll get referred a lot quicker probably, I know the adolescent service in my area only had a few weeks waiting list.

Reply 13

713

2

there is a massive waiting list..definitely for seeing a psychiatrist..sending community nurses isn't a problem..
I am also insured but i am not expecting them to cover £280, £100 would be fine.

Reply 14

xXMessedUpXx

15

zav

It is free is your under 18 i think.
Like most NHS services when you get over that magic age you have to pay for everything

not sure about that, i think you maye be offfered limited session for free

i use my university's counselling service. i know my sixth form/school had one too. Or if you ask someone like Connexions they could advise you etc

Reply 15

713

2

my school does have a counselling service and connexions, but they are both very slow and i think i expresses myself the wrong way-sorry maybe the word is not counselling but therapy or is that the same?
anyway i am doing that talking thing with the nhs and it doesn't help,why should it help with another provider?

Reply 16

Anonymous #2

some people simply dont want their issues dealt with in school etc... i'm currently trying to find a counsellor/psychologist and most places i've seen charge between £50 - £70... still trying to get the bottle to call one. I won't go through the NHS because 1. as already mentioned stupid length of waiting lists 2. i don't like my doctor and 3. my last doctor didnt take me seriously when i went to him for depression

Reply 17

Anonymous #3

I am guessing every area is different, I was referred to psychiatric services by my GP and seen within two weeks and have been referred on to long-term therapy which as far as I know I don't pay for (I hope)

Reply 18

Anonymous #4

i was put in touch with a charity who provided a counselling service. they were really good and just asked for a donation, depending on your individual financial circumstances, which is good for me, being the poor student that i am!

Reply 19

Magnanimity

14

Hey,

The NHS don't care, will never care, and will not provide the same service as a private equivalent unless you push for it. I have a serious gripe with the NHS mental health services atm for good reason. They will fob you off on nurses and hate to let you see a psychologist (for £££ reasons, obviously). Bottom line - NHS workers don't answer to anyone, they still get their paycheck no matter what happens to you. Private psychologists/therapists depend on providing a good service to make a living.

I recently resolved to see a private psychologist who is the first person to ever express any hope about my situation and illness. She charges £100 an hour but is understanding about pay (you can get some sessions paid for on the NHS if you have a good enough case for it)

You CAN get equivalent services on the NHS, normally after a long wait (at least a year :/ ) and they can be just as good, but you will have a fight on your hands. I've been messed about for 7 years so needless to say it's a bit frustrating, but yeah, even keep on the waiting list and pay someone privately in the meantime?? That's what I'm doing!

All the best,
Lesley x

private counselling

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