Self-paid counselling and GP

[Z064life]

Hi All,
I am considering counselling to discuss a few issues, not via GP and not mentally ill or depressed. So self-paid.


I have a counsellor in mind but do I have to put my gp and address details? I'm happy to open about the topics I discuss but prefer the discreteness.


Thanks

[jamiem555]

No, it's fully confidential and you shouldn't divulge anything that you aren't comfortable with.

[meehaja]

There will be a part in the contract that says if you express thoughts of suicide, self harm or plans to harm others they have to escalate. its routine, they may also advise on medication and want to liaise with your dr (probably not relevant to you, but they'll cover all bases.)

[anonymous-user]

The counsellor will need this info just in-case.. They won't use it unless there is a serious problem.

[SantaBarbara]

meehaja said:

There will be a part in the contract that says if you express thoughts of suicide, self harm or plans to harm others they have to escalate. its routine, they may also advise on medication and want to liaise with your dr (probably not relevant to you, but they'll cover all bases.)

Many counsellor are taking therapy only, so do not advise on meds

[Z064life]

My impression is I fill in a form with personal details and this is requested? I can see why it is requested just in case of suicidal thoughts, etc, but that's not the case for me. It's just to discuss some long standing issues such as relationships, etc.


Also, I feel counselling has a stigma attached to it, which makes it hard to feel comfortable doing it?

[hairyben]

Z064life said:

My impression is I fill in a form with personal details and this is requested? I can see why it is requested just in case of suicidal thoughts, etc, but that's not the case for me. It's just to discuss some long standing issues such as relationships, etc.


Also, I feel counselling has a stigma attached to it, which makes it hard to feel comfortable doing it?

A lot of them work on quite informal basis, no need to tell someone anything you dont want to.

I think the vast majority of people at large and society would benefit from a little introspection to be fair.

[GCH]

meehaja said:

There will be a part in the contract that says if you express thoughts of suicide, self harm or plans to harm others they have to escalate. its routine, they may also advise on medication and want to liaise with your dr (probably not relevant to you, but they'll cover all bases.)

This.

If a therapist was to betray your confidence, not only is it unethical, but they wouldn't exactly get many referrals or recommendations from clients or, more importantly, other therapists.
I told my (private, not NHS) therapist in the UK things that no-one else on earth knows and, despite being extremely open about being (genuinely) suicidal, she did not ever breach my trust and contact my GP, nor anyone else.

Z064life said:

Also, I feel counselling has a stigma attached to it, which makes it hard to feel comfortable doing it?

Just Britishness really.... more people could benefit from it, instead of bottling it up. If it helps you, who gives a stuff what anyone thinks?

[Z064life]

hairyben said:

A lot of them work on quite informal basis, no need to tell someone anything you dont want to.

I think the vast majority of people at large and society would benefit from a little introspection to be fair.

Yeah I'd agree. I can see why the gp details are needed. Maybe I will leave blank if there is a form and then explain why and go from there.

[popeyewhite]

Z064life said:

Yeah I'd agree. I can see why the gp details are needed. Maybe I will leave blank if there is a form and then explain why and go from there.

There are different types of counselling. If you just want to talk a Rogerian therapist is a good start. The style is completely non-directive and you will be able to discuss anything you like. GP details are not required.

As already mentioned you will be informed at the beginning of your session (contract) any reasons for potential breach of confidentiality by the councillor, and these include reasonable suspicion of; self-harm, harm to others, contravention of various Acts - money laundering, prevention of terrorism, prevention of cruelty to children and drug trafficking. Once that is out of the way it's over to you...