Does this sound ok?

[Emsie]

Hi everyone, 

Just need some advice if that's ok.

I've had CBT in the past but privately, so I don't know how the NHS system works. I have made a self referral today with the local NHS wellbeing service, which is the IAPT service in my county.

I explained I had an OCD diagnosis and that I wanted access to CBT to help combat my OCD. The administrator I spoke to offered me the choice of attending a 90 minute presentation about what the wellbeing service offers, which I declined as I explained that I know what treatment I need. There was no problem me declining it, it was just a choice. 

She then made me a telephone appointment with a 'therapist', for a 30 min consultation for assessment and I think to discuss my needs. She explained the lady that will ring me may treat me or refer me on, she didn't really know and also didn't know the therapists background and if she was a CBT specialist. My telephone appointment is the beginning of next month. She also said she'd send me 2 questionnaires to complete prior to the telephone appointment and I will need to discuss the responses on the phone with the therapist. 

My question is, does this all sound ok and typical of how to access CBT? 

Thank you. ?

Edited July 14, 2017 by Emsie

[SB21]

Hi Emsie

I'm just about finished my first round of CBT through the NHS (IAPT). What you have described is what I experienced. The questionnaires help with the conversation and helps the therapist to decide the best route for you. My interview was face to face due to telephone issues but I was then referred onto a therapist with OCD experience who was able to support me with CBT/ERP.   It's been hard work but we'll worth it. Hope this helps, good luck on getting started. 

[Emsie]

Hi SB21, 

Thank you so much for your reply, it's helped loads.....so good to hear that my experience echoed yours, thank you.  So glad it's been so worthwhile for you. 

Thank you for your good luck wishes. ?

[Iknowitscrazybut]

Hi Emsie,

 

This is how my axes went also. I had a telephone assessment first - actually it was brilliant. I think it depends who you get. Also some surveys. Then I had a face to face meeting with people from a company called Time to Talk. They kind of gave an overview type 'diagnosis' (in my case she said trauma and complex ptsd with OCD traits, but retrospectively I think I unconsciously played down the OCD stuff to try to appear 'sane'!). Then (this is where it went wrong for me) they offered me weekly online sessions live with a CBT person. I hated the online thing and it didn't really work for me. So I went back to them and then had to wait for ages for face to face CBT. My session came up, but I had been doing lots of Abraham Hicks Law of Attraction recordings which at the time alleviated my OCD a lot...I convinced her I didn't need any help. At one point she stopped and said:"...Oh you almost sounded OCD then..." (I was doing some checking, but justified it brilliantly!). So she signed me off. WHAT A TWERP!!! (me not her). 

I hope it goes really well for you an you get what you need. I meant to respond to your other post. I got a book of CBT worksheets and the Heal you OCD Workbook. It doesn't say much about relationship OCD which is my latest variant, but it is straight forward and structured, which is what I respond best to. I haven't done the CBT sheets yet. I have had GREAT success lately with 'letting thoughts go'. Not 'looking' for things and using my app to tick off each day that I have managed not to act on a compulsion. It has helped me a LOT. I am also always ready with a distraction for when my brain is telling me to ruminate! 

Hope you are well - :-)   

[Emsie]

10 hours ago, Iknowitscrazybut said:

Hi Emsie,

 

This is how my axes went also. I had a telephone assessment first - actually it was brilliant. I think it depends who you get. Also some surveys. Then I had a face to face meeting with people from a company called Time to Talk. They kind of gave an overview type 'diagnosis' (in my case she said trauma and complex ptsd with OCD traits, but retrospectively I think I unconsciously played down the OCD stuff to try to appear 'sane'!). Then (this is where it went wrong for me) they offered me weekly online sessions live with a CBT person. I hated the online thing and it didn't really work for me. So I went back to them and then had to wait for ages for face to face CBT. My session came up, but I had been doing lots of Abraham Hicks Law of Attraction recordings which at the time alleviated my OCD a lot...I convinced her I didn't need any help. At one point she stopped and said:"...Oh you almost sounded OCD then..." (I was doing some checking, but justified it brilliantly!). So she signed me off. WHAT A TWERP!!! (me not her). 

I hope it goes really well for you an you get what you need. I meant to respond to your other post. I got a book of CBT worksheets and the Heal you OCD Workbook. It doesn't say much about relationship OCD which is my latest variant, but it is straight forward and structured, which is what I respond best to. I haven't done the CBT sheets yet. I have had GREAT success lately with 'letting thoughts go'. Not 'looking' for things and using my app to tick off each day that I have managed not to act on a compulsion. It has helped me a LOT. I am also always ready with a distraction for when my brain is telling me to ruminate! 

Hope you are well - :-)   

Thank you so much for your reply. I'm so sorry it didn't work out for you, would you try cbt again with a therapist? I'm a bit worried too that they'll offer me something online but I'm going to try and insist on face to face meetings. 

Thank you, I hope I get what I need too, I think I know enough now to insist and to stand my ground if they try and offer me other things. 

Thats such great news that you've been having great successes, well done! Be very proud. It all sounds so positive. 

I'm ok thank you, up and down to be honest, but hopeful. X

Edited July 20, 2017 by Emsie

[Buttercup]

Hi Emsie

Its worth remembering that support through IAPT Wellbeing service, is for those suffering with mild to moderate symptoms. If they consider your symptoms to be more severe, they should refer you on to Secondary care and more intensive support with an experience psychologist.

Different counties across England all vary slightly, but you can be offered either, computerised guided CBT, telephone CBT, Group CBT or face to face 1-2-1 CBT.  You have the right to ask for face to face 1-2-1 CBT if this is your preference. 

I would make it very clear that you had already accessed CBT privately and the amount of sessions you had, as you may already have exhausted the level of support and knowledge offered through the Wellbeing team, and need more intensive support. They may need to step your care up to secondary care.

Take a look at the NICE Guidelines and the stepped care approach for OCD

https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/CG31/chapter/1-Guidance#stepped-care-for-adults-young-people-and-children-with-ocd-or-bdd

Remember that your care should be stepped up if you do not achieve significant reduction in your symptoms at the end of your sessions.

Good luck, and well done for referring yourself. 

[Emsie]

Hi Buttercup, 

Thank you so much for your reply. Everything you said is so useful and to be honest I didn't know about most of it so you have really helped me. I have such a better understanding now. 

I was aware that they can offer a variety of things such as online CBT, group CBT etc, which has concerned me because I know I need a lot more than that. I only want 1-2-1 face to face CBT and when I spoke to the administrator on the phone I explained that I wanted to have CBT with a therapist that had a lot of experience with OCD. I just really hope that they can give me what I need. I will make it very clear about the CBT I accessed privately a few years ago. When I had private CBT, she was a clinical psychologist and very good but very expensive. I'm a full time mum right now so I can't afford it, but if I could I'd go back to her as we got on really well and you don't have the waiting times.

Thank you again for all of your advice and good luck wishes. 

Edited July 20, 2017 by Emsie