"talking mental health"

I referred myself as suggested by my GP who said I needed CBT. I had a telephone assessment where the assessor said I needed counselling - I requested CBT - told no needed counselling. Despite being a health professional myself I felt this person must know what they were doing so agreed. Asked to be seen in Matlock or Bakewell as was advertised on the website and this would be more convenient for getting to from work - told no must be seen at or near GP surgery. 8 weeks later I get a phone call offering me an appointment at RELATE in Chesterfield - 7 miles from my home and GP. I was then told oh yes you can be seen in Matlock but will need to go to the bottom of the waiting list again. So I agreed to go to RELATE. This meant me having to take a large portion out of my working day but my boss was understanding and said I could go.

I attended the sessions and was surprised that the person I saw said amost nothing to me, no goals were set and no explanation of assessment or treatment process given. I talked they sat and looked at me and I felt worse after the session than when I went in. The assessment I filled in at each session was disregarded as was my admission of a suicide attempt.

With encouragement from my GP I phoned and requested CBT and explained counselling not working - told I needed to go back to discuss with counsellor but I could not face going again. They said they would at least need to discuss with counsellor. In desperation I called Dales Rural Counselling who listened to me and said to leave it with them they would sort it out. Then within and hour i got a call saying I would be contacted to start CBT in Matlock! So 6 months after my first contact I finally began CBT in the setting I requested.

My questions

1. Why was I given wrong information re venues

2. Why did assessor not listen when I explained my issues and why I needed CBT - I have had cancer and think they just heard that and made a snap decision.

3.How do you monitor the competencies of the 'counsellors' who you contract out to ?

Thankfully after 6 CBT sessions I am now improving.