Counselling For Sexual Abuse And Childhood Abuse Survivors

[sun seeker]

If its anything like the NHS they give you a questionaire every week including one you bring the first day that asks you to rank like 20 different things from 0 to 4 for frequency of issue.

I expected something like that. What a lot of time filling out paperwork for one thing! And it still doesn't address the issue of whether there is long-term improvement that could be sustained when the client is out in the world on their own vs. whether they feel better temporarily because of the extra support and being engaged in doing something that gives them hope. It's failing to see the bigger picture.

 

[Queen Boudica]

If its anything like the NHS they give you a questionaire every week including one you bring the first day that asks you to rank like 20 different things from 0 to 4 for frequency of issue. Like suicidal thoughts, feeling hopeless, etc. I had to do one before the first session and then bring one with me every week

That would freak me out. I would feel I have to answer I am improving. That is not good methodology

 

[sun seeker]

Would having a model to point to help at all @Lizio? Around here, there is a great deal to be desired in terms of access to quality trauma therapy covered by the health system, but the number of sessions with whatever therapist you do get is unlimited. You fill out a form including a list of goals at the first session and the therapist fills in an estimated length of treatment. I've done this a few times and the therapist has always made it clear that the length they are putting down can be extended. After three months, you fill out another form rating how or whether you've made progress on your goals and whether you want to change them, and the therapist fills in an estimated length of extended treatment. There is no paperwork in between.

 

[Queen Boudica]

I It's failing to see the bigger picture.

Yes. and you cannot make these assumptions from that research. I don't this is strong evidence on what you should base treatment on where peoples lives are at risk.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Yes that is helpful @sun seeker. That is what he is asking for. So in Canada you can have unlimited sessions and it is determined by the therapist. Over here you have to go to the GP to ask them for first 6 sessions and then the 4. And that is it. The GP decides, the paperwork and bureaucracy and expense is ridiculous. When it should be between the client and the psychologist who is treating them. They are even suggesting that GP's get about a weeks training and then they are qualified to treat mental health and take on the counselling role.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Can you imagine a GP treating you for complex trauma?

 

[sun seeker]

So in Canada you can have unlimited sessions and it is determined by the therapist.

Well, I don't know about all of Canada. It's probably different depending on the province.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Thank you @sun seeker that is helpful

 

[sun seeker]

Can you imagine a GP treating you for complex trauma?

I've never heard of anyone around here starting this process with a GP. It just wouldn't occur to me. You go directly to the therapist, who is working for a community service society, which gets its funding from the local "health authority" (I think. I can research this for you if you're interested, but it might take a little while). Note that this does not cover psychologists. I don't know the breakdown but you'll be getting more like someone with a master's degree in social work or art therapy. There is a preponderance of art therapists for some odd reason. You might get someone with some training in treating trauma, but it's not the rule for them to specialize in it. For the kind of therapy I'd really like to be doing I'd have to pay out of pocket, which I can't afford.

 

[Queen Boudica]

An art therapist to treat trauma, that is just so wacky. That's it if you have complex trauma you have to have money to pay out of pocket and get someone who knows what they are doing. Jesus. mental health is really mental

 

[moonbeam]

I expected something like that. What a lot of time filling out paperwork for one thing! And it still doesn't address the issue of whether there is long-term improvement.

I did get one session 3 months later to give feedback but it was a bit crap on account of the fact that I was already seeing a new T so they can't really take credit for new T's work. Plus I got a job part way through my sessions which improved my morale. And just having that extra support made things better. So not the best.

Its good to have a patient driven evaluation method but not great if it doesn't factor in other external factors.

 

[Queen Boudica]

So @sun seeker do you have any funding for psychologists via the health service? or are they all private? How do you get access to CBT for trauma?