STEPHEN FRY

Yes there are things that can help you in your first meeting with the student counsellor. Let me have some time to look back at what we have said before and i will reply later today or latest tomorrow. Take care Fryfan. well done.

i'm afraid i probably don't have much good advice for you, fryfan. the only thing i can think of is: (especially if you don't talk a lot) your school psychologist might guess things about you or assume things because she isn't getting much information from you voluntarily. so if she assumes wrong, don't just keep quiet. if you do, she will end up with a completely different idea of who you are. if that makes sense at all.(?) but good luck

and on another note, not strictly in keeping with the title of this thread: i have an appointment with a psychiatrist in a week or two. not sure how to feel about this. i think my parents just want me on drugs to make me go back to college!

hi there is a lot of people meeting counsellors and psychiatrists next week! there was a discussion round the lazy afternoon fire about first sessions with counsellors between the Cat and the Badger if yous interested, geezers --- ooh gone all Geordie!!!!

C

There is a discussion about this on pages 1 - 3 of the Whimsey of the NHS thread, particularly Post 6, Page 1.

Quite a few people have been engaging in counselling help in the last weeks on that thread, you may be able to get impressions of what went well/didn't go so well in the conversation ariound the fire there.

Or i guess we could have a conversation here equally as well, though possibly without coffee, cos this page isn't in the Clearing but actually in a server in Stoke on trent, which is an okay place but doesn't have quite the same ambience due to all the circuit boards and solid state memories surrounding us in this grey cabinet in a building in Stoke on Trent.


Sorry GGG, must sound a bit flippant, you know i'm not really, and happy to try with you to make sense of your wishes/needs about how your feeling.

Chris

Chris.

green words, blue music - whats the difference its all words and music!

Chris

And it is good you feel you can speak a little of these things, here in the environment Stephen Fry has created. I amsure most people feel that it is difficlt ot start talking about our feelings, especially if we have not been encouraged to in our upbringing.

Always listening

Chris

Never turn down the opportunity to seek psychiatric help if you need it. But find a self-help group as well, which can offer you the support and mutual aid that psychiatric services usually fails to offer.

Hi Everyone,
Thought I'd start a thread that provides information for those who are seeking the services of either a Psychiatrist or Psychologist.
Please feel free to add information in order to help others with the processes involved and experiences gained.

I'll start by providing information with regards to South Australia.

How do you see a Psychiatrist: You first need a referral from a GP.
How much did it cost: Nothing (Medicare paid for it, despite income level)
How long was the initial waiting period: About 2 months.
How long does each visit go for: Initially an hour per visit, with each visit decreasing in time, depending on how you are progressing of course.
What to expect: Initially a diagnosis needs to reached. This may take several visits. After this, options should be put forward for you for consideration, ranging from medication to advise and support. Visits should continue until you are both comfortable that you are coping better.

How do you see a Psychologist: Find a Psychologist in the Yellow Pages, and call for an appointment. No GP referral required.
How much did it cost: Depends on the Psychologist. I was quoted ~$110/hour, but I'm guessing this varies. Private extras cover will cover some of the gap. I was told Medicare does not provide any coverage with Psychologists who consult privately. But please check upon making initial contact though.
How long is the initial waiting period: About 2 weeks depending on heavily booked the Psychologist is..
How long does each visit go for: Probably the same as for a Psychiatrist. But unknown.

Hope this helps,
Take care,
Pete