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"No clear direction in my treatment"

About: General practices in Forth Valley Psychological therapies / Pain Management Psychology Programme

(as a service user),

I started having back pain when I was younger, this has progressed to chronic pain in other areas of my body and still progressing, I developed depression and anxiety as a result. Over the years I have found a way to recover but needed support with mental health to get there - I was referred to pain clinic's phycology department.

I have been here for years with no clear direction in my treatment or any resolution. I feel the length of treatment and how long in between sessions from pain clinic have been unsuccessful and there has been no projection or goals or clear structure for my treatment. I believe a transfer is now necessary to psychological therapist and cbt rather than clinic psychology in the pain clinic as it has been unhelpful. I’m now paying private but cannot afford to- I have often attended my gp surgery for help for more mental health services such as cbt and anxiety treatment to but have been told because I’m already in a service I can’t access these. I also think I have adhd or a neurodivergent aspect that also was told can’t be assessed.

I have also had a fight with my own gp surgeries after being ignored on several occasions of new symptoms that were dismissed as anxiety or chronic pain when they in fact were not, and I have had wrong diagnosis written on my medical notes which now means I cannot be insured.

I would appreciate a stand in to help advocate for me on this difficult journey from a proactive patient that is willing to do her own work and treatment but deserves to have the cbt and axniety treatment she needs on that journey. 

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Responses

Response from Rachel Vickers, Consultant Clinical Psychologist/Head of Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology, NHS Forth Valley 3 hours ago
Rachel Vickers
Consultant Clinical Psychologist/Head of Clinical Health Psychology, Clinical Psychology,
NHS Forth Valley
Submitted on 01/07/2025 at 10:50
Published on Care Opinion at 10:50


picture of Rachel Vickers

Dear magpierj44

Thank you for highlighting the difficulties you have had accessing services that fit your needs, I am so sorry that you have had this experience. As the Care Partner platform is anonymous, I cannot accurately explore your journey with pain psychology services to review what has happened.

To assist my review, would you please email fv.psymailbox@nhs.scot with your full name, date of birth and preferred contact details? Please use the subject heading "FAO Dr Rachel Vickers" to ensure the message gets passed onto me.

With thanks

Rachel

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