Councelling waiting time

[tinkerbell23]

Can anyone tell me roughly how long from referral to actually seeing someone please?

I did google but couldnt see - probobly local areas will differ but mabye personal experience. X

[wolf63]

Each NHS trust will differ. I got referred for an appointment a few years back and got seen the next day - but was then taken into hospital for three weeks or so..

[tinkerbell23]

Oh thanks wolf- i think im expecting to wait a few weeks....keen to go xx

[anneasquith]

my friend was rerefered two months ago, still no appointment.

[tinkerbell23]

Oh dear anne thats waaaay too long IMO x

[Nummy]

It depends on the NHS Trust and who will be counselling you, and whether you have been referred to Primary or Secondary care.

Where I am, for Secondary Care, there's a wait of around 10-12 weeks for psychiatry, 18 months for psychology. However psychology do a telephone triage quite quickly to assess whther you are suitable for the service, and if not will pass the referral on to a service more appropriate.

Primary Care mental health services tend move quicker, usually making contact within a few weeks.

Of course it also depends what you are getting counselling for.

[MissCommando]

When I was 16 I asked for counselling as I was depressed, it took a whole 12 months for an appt to come through and by that time, luckily I was a lot better.
They did apologise though as I think my wait was due to an error on their part.

Hope your appt comes through quickly Tinks x

[woofgang]

If you are having to wait too long, you might like to go private?

[tinkerbell23]

Woofgang, i cant afford it just now or i would :0(

I hope its not too long- i really feel positive cos the ball is rolling...but the anxiety is still there, which is what its for...Im hopefull its soon.....its keeping me going thinking it might be! X

[tinkerbell23]

Oh and thanks each of you xxx

[boxtops]

It depends on your Trust, tinks - I've no idea what Scottish waiting times are like, you might be able to Google the info, waiting times are often on the net.

[tinkerbell23]

I had a quick google and couldnt see....

Ill look a bit more in depth to see xx

[mazzywoo]

As everyone says Tinks, it depends on where you live. I got my first appointment after 6 weeks. I have counselling by phone and that seems to work well.
best wishes, Maz x

[tinkerbell23]

Thanks mazzy....its a waiting game!! Hope its quicker than that LOL

Or mabye things will be better than they were last night xxx

[cathfromsaron]

they quote a certain length of time and then get you in quicker because people drop out! get on the list first!

and (((hugs)))

cath x

[tinkerbell23]

Thanks cath!! Xxx

[katdarn79]

Do you have a Mind charity in your area? there waiting times are sometimes shorter than the NHS. They have qualified counsellors that volunteer. Hope this helps, xx

[emmie]

long time in my case. Nearly a year.

[tinkerbell23]

Thank you ill look into that!!! Xxxx

[ruthandsam]

As mentioned before, it depends if it is via Primary Care or Secondary Care. Primary Care offer different types of counselling and it depends on which one you have been triaged to. For our area, Step 2 counselling is about 4 week wait, Step 3 Counselling a 5 month wait, Step 3 CBT a 5 month wait, Step 4 Psychotherapy about a 12 month wait and Step 4 CBT about a 12 month wait at the moment. The higher the step depends on the complexity of the problem and if you have received treatment before. You are quite within your right to ring up the appropriate dept and ask what their waiting time is. Also, it depends a little bit on if people drop out of treatment or don't bother turning up, about 33%!!!

I hope you find the answer and all the best to you.........x

[cathfromsaron]

in wales, the expert patient programme does CBT, if its anxiety?

maybe check out alternatives locally?