On the sick going back to work?
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I had been at work nearly a year after the knock carrying on until I finally had a breakdown at work. My understanding manager told me to go home and contact Occupational Health (OH) for advise on counselling. This was July 31st. I contacted them and after three appointments later they told me they can't help me as they don't think I need counselling but cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) but they can't offer this anymore as all their psychologists have left... this was now a month later after being off work.
I now had to contact my GP (who I had already been in contact with for a change of antidepressants, iron levels were low and for a sick note). They said I should self refer using this form (cos they don't do referrals anymore, even for my back pain they now want me to also fill in a self referral form) and it took another month for the phone call assessment and then another two weeks to decide which waiting list to put me on. I was too open so I got put on the long waiting list for severe CBT. Then they put me on a three week stress webinar course that's like watching a lecture on stress.
I am now at the point where I feel bad for being off work much longer but I haven't actually moved forward much since the day I went off sick. My dad is frustrated they keep changing my meds, I've never spoken to a GP via phone just the messaging platform my practice does and that it's been such a long wait. I expected a long waiting list having worked in the NHS but it just feels like no one actually cares.
I now had to contact my GP (who I had already been in contact with for a change of antidepressants, iron levels were low and for a sick note). They said I should self refer using this form (cos they don't do referrals anymore, even for my back pain they now want me to also fill in a self referral form) and it took another month for the phone call assessment and then another two weeks to decide which waiting list to put me on. I was too open so I got put on the long waiting list for severe CBT. Then they put me on a three week stress webinar course that's like watching a lecture on stress.
I am now at the point where I feel bad for being off work much longer but I haven't actually moved forward much since the day I went off sick. My dad is frustrated they keep changing my meds, I've never spoken to a GP via phone just the messaging platform my practice does and that it's been such a long wait. I expected a long waiting list having worked in the NHS but it just feels like no one actually cares.
Hi Shattered World, I'm so sorry this is happening to you and the fact they stopped your counselilng after 3 sessions. I wonder why they said you need CBT. That's changing your thought process but there is so much more going on for you rather than changing your thought process. I take it this was through an EAP too, who usually practice solution but you can usually get CBT too.
You could contact Stop So or mind? If you could go privately you could go through counselling directory. I think there was another agency mentioned the other day too. under the heading counselling?
You could contact Stop So or mind? If you could go privately you could go through counselling directory. I think there was another agency mentioned the other day too. under the heading counselling?
Hi Shatteredworld, I'm sorry to know you feel as if no one cares. Do you have NHS Talking Therapies in your local area? Where I live you can self refer into the service. They do an initial assessment lasting about 45 minutes and from that decide which type of therapy you need. I did do CBT at the start of my journey but didn't actually find it that helpful as all my anxieties actually came true. I am now going to be starting the Working Towards Wellbeing support package - as I have recently referred myself back in.
The session that was only 3 was a stress webinar for something to do while on the waiting list. It's with the talking therapies I'm on the waiting list with, I just couldn't think of the name
Ath that makes sense, The NHS will always direct you towards CBT as it's in the nice guidelines, unfortunately, this isn't a model that fits all (No counselling model does, that's why many of us work integratively, to combine them together.) NHS waiting lists are really long at the moment, I hate this but it's a fact.
Personally, put yourself on all the waiting lists for as many agencies as you can and see what comes up first. It's not going to affect the other agencies as when they phone you can decline and they move on to the next person. There might be low-cost couselling in your area (or online if that's ok for you, there are several online ) you can google or look on the counselling directory/psychology today for this.
Personally, put yourself on all the waiting lists for as many agencies as you can and see what comes up first. It's not going to affect the other agencies as when they phone you can decline and they move on to the next person. There might be low-cost couselling in your area (or online if that's ok for you, there are several online ) you can google or look on the counselling directory/psychology today for this.