Why Do You Go Private Instead Of Public? (or Vice Versa)

[Curious Kid]

I'm a young ctrauma sufferer
I don't have much money but I can just about afford the cost of half-price sliding-scale therapy ($40 or £27)

Sure, it means I am never loaded and really have to budget but at the same time, I cant afford to not have it, if that makes sense?

Without giving too much away, my countries public mental health system is a total mess! GP's prescribe meds without mental health qualifications or even a long consultation, the only form of counselling is usually 6 sessions of CBT (regardless of severity of issue) and often paired with meds. I have a friend who was an inpatient for a year and at no stage got counselling - just meds! People in crisis show up to A&E only to be sent home with very little after waiting for hours. Many people who show up with self harm have no follow up. And most of all, the few services available are only available for people in a really bad place.

Private wise it's not bad if you can afford it. I get private therapy. I don't know where I'd be without it, and in particular - without having a time frame on how long your therapy can be. I know if my friends or family found out they would be amazed by the fact I pay for therapy on a regular basis.

I can't understand why people opt for public in countries where the service is poor and where it is well documented that people get much much worse while in or waiting for our public mental health services. I really honestly feel with every bone in my body that you take your life in your hands in the public system.

I am not rich, I make lots of sacrifices so I can go to therapy but I think it's worth it.

What do you think? Do you go public or private and why?

 

[digger]

I can't understand why people opt for public in countries where the service is poor

Because for many people it isn't a choice. Private isn't a viable option financially.

I am not rich, I make lots of sacrifices so I can go to therapy but I think it's worth it.

Many people affected by mental health issues are already faced with financial difficulties due to their ability to work being affected. I live in the UK, I pay £40 a week to see a private therapist, I consider myself extremely lucky that I am currently able to afford to do that. There have been many times in my life where it would have been impossible to find that, or even the £27 a week you're paying, no matter how many other sacrifices I might have made to try to. When it's a choice between feeding and clothing your child or paying for private therapy, which are you going to choose?

 

[Curious Kid]

Because for many people it isn't a choice. Private isn't a viable option financially.


Many people affe...

True, I don't have kids or any dependants I guess

 

[Friday]

My country doesn't have a public option.

 

[EveHarrington]

Re: @FridayJones

Mine either! Then again we live in the same country lol.

OP I think it would be a better approach to be compassionate toward those who cannot afford private therapy.

 

[Ronin]

Public is inaccessible & damaging to me.

Private was some levels of accessible when I had the money, & the damage done was in ways I could navigate better.

 

[Sandstone]

The only private T recommended in my town for this generously charged me £40 per session, less than half her usual rate. She wanted to see me 2 to 3 times a week. I'm on ESA as I can't work, and it pays £109 per week. So I'm back to public provision.

 

[Crow]

I have an option to use the insurance company therapists - none I can find are trauma qualified/trained. So instead of $30 a session copay I spend 42% of my take home pay on therapy. I live in a very meager condo and rarely travel anymore. But it's worth every penny. The quality between insurance accepting therapists and private practice is immense.