"Not long enough"

The therapist was very friendly and caring. She also seemed quite knowledgeable. I was referred for CBT but didn’t really do much CBT. The sessions lasted between 50 minutes and 1 hour 10 minutes.

You only get 8 sessions in my area, I understand this helps waiting lists but it means the quality of treatment suffers. 8 sessions hasn’t been enough for me with 24 years of social anxiety and also GAD for a number of years. The therapy didn’t really focus on SA but a range of things, low self esteem, relaxation, reducing stress ect. On my 8th session it was a closure session, no therapy involved as to how I proceed now I’m being discharged. I was told I could refer myself back after a 3 month wait but in the meantime to practice some of the strategies, eg relaxation and to have counciling to bridge the gap. So I guess it’s the therapist way of agreeing with me that I still have some way to go and still need help with my mental health but they can’t do it due to their 8 week rule it someone else’s turn. Well if that’s how CAMHS would treat my daughter she would never get back to school. She’s had more than 8 sessions and is actually making progress I’m pleased to say unlike her poor mother who’s been dealing with anxiety since childhood. I don’t know if there’s any other NHS therapies that offer more than 8 weeks for adults? Perhaps there is but a longer wait time. This service seems like it is more suited to people with less severe anxiety issues to me rather than long term, life inpacting ones like my own. I struggled with work because of my anxiety and fortunately for now I don’t need to worry about work as my daughter is poorly and needs her mum. When she’s better I’m not sure what I will do unless I am offered better life changing therapy somewhere.