First session at psychologist/cost

feline21

I would appreciate any advice on this matter. quite upset.
Is this common procedure on a first session??

Today was my first ever session at a registered psychologist,
When i booked my appointment i was informed that the first session costs £90.
I arrived and the session only lasted 20mins.
I was asked the basics (like a form you fill at a doctors) Name,DOB, Family history, medical history, next of kin, occupation etc.
After a general chat about my symptoms and details of my family and history.
I was given a list 4 to 5 pages of questionnaires and charts to complete for next weeks session,
baring in mind These questionnaires can easily be found online.
So for a 20mins session and a few photocopied questionnaires. charged £90.
Is this normal for a first session or have i been ripped off???

WalterMitty

feline21 wrote: »

I would appreciate any advice on this matter. quite upset.
Is this common procedure on a first session??

Today was my first ever session at a registered psychologist,
When i booked my appointment i was informed that the first session costs £90.
I arrived and the session only lasted 20mins.
I was asked the basics (like a form you fill at a doctors) Name,DOB, Family history, medical history, next of kin, occupation etc.
After a general chat about my symptoms and details of my family and history.
I was given a list 4 to 5 pages of questionnaires and charts to complete for next weeks session,
baring in mind These questionnaires can easily be found online.
So for a 20mins session and a few photocopied questionnaires. charged £90.
Is this normal for a first session or have i been ripped off???

Does seem a bit of a rip off. Most of that work could have been done over phone or email by psychologist or secretary. Psychologist could have left it at 50 eur for that session given amount work done but who knows what overheads he/she has. Psychologists are like everyone else, many are just in it for the money. Was this person well recommended?

collymcd

Go see a Psychoanalyst

Velvety

Your doctor can refer you to your local mental health service within the HSE.

It's free.

Velvety

Velvety wrote: »

Your doctor can refer you to your local mental health service within the HSE.

It's free.

Really? What about the year long wait time for an assessment or appointment? Mental Health services in this country are rediculous. If you dont have money to fund it yourself, you may as wel forget about it. I could go on a really long rant here but I will restrain myself. Suffice to say that the suicide rate in this country is a direct reflection of the investment (Lack of) that the government puts into its mental health services.

feline21

WalterMitty wrote: »

Does seem a bit of a rip off. Most of that work could have been done over phone or email by psychologist or secretary. Psychologist could have left it at 50 eur for that session given amount work done but who knows what overheads he/she has. Psychologists are like everyone else, many are just in it for the money. Was this person well recommended?

This psychologist was recommended through a GP.
Angers me how someone can charge 90£ for someone that NEEDS help. and rip them off.
Im young, don't avail of a medical card and have a low income.
I don't even know what to do next , or even where to go next.

WalterMitty

feline21 wrote: »

This psychologist was recommended through a GP.
Angers me how someone can charge 90£ for someone that NEEDS help. and rip them off.
Im young, don't avail of a medical card and have a low income.
I don't even know what to do next , or even where to go next.

Was it psychotherapy the dcotor sent you for or an assesment? If you are entitled you should get a medkical card. many places use it as eligability for discounted psychological services.



There is a sticky thread for How to Find a Counsellor/Psychologist/Psychotherapist. JC

Velvety

If your GP refers you to the outpatient department of a hospital as a public patient, all mental health services are free. Same as if your GP referred you to a physiotherapist or for an x-ray in a hospital.

As far as I know, waiting times to use mental health services vary around the country but are generally pretty quick compared to some other services. Obviously you will have to pay if attend a private practitioner.

bisset

Waiting lists do vary around the country, however the drive towards Primary care has resulted in more HSE Psychologists being in post. Ring up your local HSE office and ask about asking a psychologist. If it is a counselling type service you are looking for there may be counsellors in a voluntary service who would see you at no or a low charge. Give a rough indication of what county you are in and someone here may be able to advise of a local service.

From reading some of the posts on here I feel very positive about the possibilities of getting psychological care!
However, being a user of the mental health services in Ireland (Dublin/Kildare), i have to say the reality is very different. Money buys services. If you want low cost or free then you could wait months.
As an extreme example.... I had a severe mental health issue a few years ago and needed admitting to a psychiatric unit. I was told I might have to wait several weeks for a bed. My GP tried to get me admitted without success and I could not get an appointment with the HSE psychiatrist as there was a 4 month waiting list. I paid a private psychiatrist (who was also working for the HSE) to see me. On the day he saw me he got me a bed as a private patient and had me admitted the same day.
Thankfully after several weeks of treatment everything was fine but it cost a small fortune.
Why do you think we have such crazy numbers of people commiting suicide in Ireland? Its a direct reflection of the availability of mental health services or lack of!

starviewadams

I was waiting a month before I saw a HSE consultant psychologist,but waiting times vary wildly across the country I suppose.

There's a thread for How to Find a Counsellor/Psychologis/Psychotherapist. JC

JuliusCaesar

feline21 wrote: »

This psychologist was recommended through a GP.
Angers me how someone can charge 90£ for someone that NEEDS help. and rip them off.
Im young, don't avail of a medical card and have a low income.
I don't even know what to do next , or even where to go next.

You really should bring this up with the psychologist. Speak with them about it. Many psychologists have sliding scales, but you might have to ask about this.

Velvety wrote: »

waiting times to use mental health services vary around the country but are generally pretty quick compared to some other services.

bisset wrote: »

Waiting lists do vary around the country, however the drive towards Primary care has resulted in more HSE Psychologists being in post. Ring up your local HSE office and ask about asking a psychologist.

starviewadams wrote: »

I was waiting a month before I saw a HSE consultant psychologist,but waiting times vary wildly across the country I suppose.

Waiting lists vary around the country.


There is generally some sort of prioritisation - urgent cases are seen more urgently.