CBT waiting list?

I don;t know what the waitin glist is but my surgery has a CBT trained Health visitor, its not the same as a qualified Psychologist but at least it's got me started, may be worth asking if yours does something similar? What were you referred for? ?

Thanks. I was refered by the Psychiatric nurse for anxiety and self-esteem issues. My referal specified the cbt person at my dr's surgery - I don't think they have a cbt trained health visitor as well.

I have long standing issues with anxiety/panic attacks so if you want to talk about it feel free to PM me. Its definitely not nice ?

Is it worth ringing your surgery to see if there is anyway of finding out how much longer you need to wait?

The list will vary from PCT to PCT, the only way you will find out yours is by asking at the GPs. I know the one when I was up in Derby was 18 months, Bristol was less as they try a group session thing first. Its usually a very long list as the need is much greater than the number of staff they have/ can afford. If you can afford to go private it will be much faster.

I havent asked about going on the list here yet (Ashford Kent) but having changed PCT's so much its been ages and ages for me.

I think I got a letter with an appointment date/time about a month after I was referred. The appointment was about 6 weeks after. I'm in Greater London so there may be more facilities where I am.

Why don't you call you doctor and ask if they've heard anything yet? They will chase it up if not.

It will vary from place to place.

This link www.livinglifetothefull.com is an online NHS CBT program. It is actually Scottish, although you don't have to be scottish to use it. It includes loads of the excercises that I learnt during formal CBT with a Clinical Psychologist (for example around unhelpful thinking). I did think before posting this link, it obviously doesn't overide any advice that you have personally had from another health proffesional, and it cannot take the place of formal therapy, but if it helps whilst you are waiting then it should be worthwhile. I'll remove the link if anyone strongly disagrees.

It's two years here in Nottingham. I was diagnosed with depression in January 2007, they tried 4 types of medication, I see the Mental Health Team every 8 weeks and they still won't even put me on the list!

I would definitely recommend the Living Life to the Full website though ?

Thanks for the replies. I'll try and give my surgery a call. The nurse I saw did give me a number to call to find out how long the waiting time was but when i called it they didn't have a clue what I was on about and I ended up being passed to child psychiatric services and they obviously couldn't help.

Mousie: 2 years ? thats shocking. I guess I won't hold my breath then.

MJ: thanks for the link. I'll have a look over the weekend.

As others have said, it (rather unfortunately) depends on where you're living. I've lived in two different councils and the waiting list for both was six months. They would only let you see someone sooner if you try and commit suicide. So they effectively want you to get really bad before you can even see someone.

Do you work, are there any counsellors you could talk to there in the meantime?

Obviously I have no idea of your financial situation but would it be an option for you to pay privately to see a therapist? This is what I've done in the past and that way you don't have to worry about waiting lists. I guess you'd be looking around £60 per session?