"DIT"

Following an initially very negative experience with Ealing IAPT ('Mandatory' CBT - leading to a formal complaint on my behalf upon the end of the project), I was contacted by their Clinical Lead who discussed things through and offered me DIT instead. Despite what had happened previously (the horrendous CBT fiasco), I decided to enter the new process with an open mind, and I am glad that I did so.

Unlike my previous therapist (who shall be unnamed), my new therapist proved consistently to be focused, disciplined and shrewd. They showed no hesitation to challenge my thought contradictions every time, while remaining empathetic and non-judgemental towards the very many tragedies of my past life. After multiple years of being either ignored or at best 'managed' by largely clueless GPs and psychiatric nurses, I can finally say that I have made some meaningful progress in the realm of talking therapy.

Although I do not consider myself at this point of time to be depression/anxiety-free, I feel the urge to highlight to IAPT the significance of considering a flexible, tailored treatment (such as the one I was offered as 'a last resort') right from the outset, as opposed to one which is rigid in approach and seems predominantly aimed at 'moving the patient along' without necessarily helping them feel any better in the long run!