Assessment for Counselling: Disappointment
Yesterday I had the phone call from the Counselling Organisation that provides Talking Therapies for my local NHS service. It was an assessment to consider if they could assist me with my body image issues and if so, what type of therapy might be appropriate.
The call was with a 'Wellbeing Advisor' and lasted 35 minutes. The call was on time; the call quality was mediocre as the volume was rather low: although the advisor had a pronounced accent, I had no difficulty with understanding.
There was a lot of admin, confirming my identity and such like. I found it slightly disturbing that the 'safety' questions relating to suicidal ideation were repeatedly asked - twice possibly three times during the call. Was I not clear enough the first time, or were you trying to put ideas in my head?
One thing I found very disturbing was when I was asked about medication, I stated that I was taking less than the prescribed dose of Co-codamol as I didn't feel I needed the full dose, and it is an addictive drug - the advisor told me I should be taking the prescribed dose!
Going through the Depression Score I felt unable to score my sleep because I strongly feel it's being disturbed by hormonal changes, not my mental health - the advisor didn't know how to handle this.
When describing my issues, I was repeatedly cut short for the advisor to summarise what I was saying, which was fine, but I don't feel that the ultimate summary captured the root of my problems.
Near the end the advisor decided I was depressed, and that I had a choice of two therapies. A group webinar or 'Light Touch CBT' - I wasn't going to commit to regular groups, so agreed on the CBT. However I dispute that I am fundamentally depressed - I have body image issues (possibly acute, rather than chronic) and I'm not clear that the CBT on offer will address this.
I'm getting a lot of benefit from the AI driven app from the same organisation, and although I will cooperate with the CBT to start with, but I have less than zero expectations for it.
After I put the phone down, my anger boiled up. I took myself out for a bike ride to dissipate some of the emotions, but it took a full 24 hours for the headache to clear up.