This morning I had a 'third' assessment, but this time it was with a female specialist in child abuse. It was held at a refuge for women but they can only offer me ten weeks counselling at the most. After talking with me for nearly an hour she told me that I was a rarity and would need longer than the normal ten weeks recovery. She also advised me to go back to my doctor to see if I can find a counsellor who can be more long term. The therapist also said that if I start counselling, it will be traumatic to start it all over again in ten weeks. I got given the choice of seeing her or leaving it and going to see my doctor and asking for more long term. The problem is that on the NHS counselling is referred out to agencies and the funding is very low so the agencies can only offer ten weeks. I felt disappointed, to say the least, and a bit angry too. Angry that I am expected to get over it all in two months. What a joke really, how can anyone get over it all in two months. So I decided to go along with this little ten week therapy course, and also, see my doctor. I will ask him to find me someone who can see me for longer. I don't really know what else I can do but I am not holding out hope anymore of getting help. I was looking forward to getting this therapy as they are specialists in the area I need. At least that is what I thought but it seems to be more of a different kind of abuse that is dealt with there. As it is a women's refuge, I'm inclined to think that the abuse they deal with there is women who are on the run from abusive partners. Feeling sad and disappointed.
My appointment yesterday was awful. The therapist just had a general chat with me. She came across as though she didn't want to give me therapy which is a shame as she is a specialist in child abuse. Strangely, though, she said that they only offered six weeks or six sessions. At first, she said eight to ten sessions then she said six. Can't, she make up her mind? She told me she didn['t want to open me to talking about it as I would have to start all over again with another therapist after the sessions with her finished. So it's back to the doctor full of woe again. I don't think I'm ever going to find a therapist to help me. I am hoping my doctor will help but it is doubtful as they only do short term. The therapist told me as well that they only do 'coping mechanisms' and not counselling. So I am left confused and upset.
Living in the UK and having been through the NHS system myself, I can understand your frustration. I was also told that I was allowed 10 sessions of counselling but after that I would have to pay, and at the time I simply couldn't afford it. We've spoke many times about how mental health issues have come more to the fore in recent years, and while that's a good thing, it's also put a lot more pressure on the health service and they simply can't cope with the demand put on them. By limiting people to a certain number of sessions they are trying to help everyone the best they can, but in reality that number doesn't even scratch the surface for many people, and they are left with answers to only some of the questions.
Yes, I am noticing that and I am feeling increasingly disappointed with the system. I should be more understanding. At least I am getting help. I'm going to take all the counselling I can get. If it has to be in spurts of 10 sessions then I'll have to accept that and get on with it. No one has told me I would have to pay, but I have told them through each step that it has to be on the NHS. There are a few places around there that offer counselling so I would probably end up being passed around.
I know that it probably won't make a difference to you now at this present time, but with mental health getting in the news more and more these days I do expect the service that the NHS provides to get better for the future generations. Even though the NHS is notoriously under-funded, I do think that mental health and counselling will be one of the areas where they will strengthen and that can only be a good thing. As with any illness, how much you can afford to spend trying to cure it shouldn't be a concern, and whether you are a millionaire or destitute, both should have the right to the same standard of treatment. I know that in regards to counselling we are still way off that point, and the more you pay the better treated you are but it is slowly getting better.
My therapist phoned me yesterday to see what my doctor had said regarding long term therapy. I told her I hadn't had my appointment yet so she is going to call me back another time. Isn't it great what our Prince Harry is doing! He makes me feel positive for the future generations who would suffer from mental illness. The major problem, like you say @pwarbi is funding. They can only offer 10 sessions which means a break up of therapy every 10 sessions. This means the patient can not build up a sense of trust which is needed in most cases. I don't know how this is going to pan out at all. I'll have to wait and see what my doctor says next week.
