"steps2change Lincolnshire complaint"

I was given a weekly telephone apt after referal from the GP.

They gave me an over-simplified service which offered nothing more than goal setting over the phone rather than in your journal. They know you're self-aware enough to set your own goals, because you have decided to seek help, this is a very patronising service which did not support me.

After a 13 week wait for an appointment, I cannot believe how poor this service is. Appointments are only 20 minutes long and they tried to avoid listening to my personal situation as much as possible and instead try to set minute goals for the week (something I've undoubtedly tried in the 3 months waiting for an appointment, let alone before). It is so incredibly difficult opening up to somebody and facing your struggles head on, and when that is met with a deaf ear and a rushed 20 minute appointment trying to pigeon hole you into one of the 2 CBT courses they offer (either setting goals to get you out of the house if you have anxiety or setting small goals to get you doing things you cannot do because of depression) this understandably compounds your belief that nobody wants to or is able to help you. Shocking.

When I expressed that I was feeling rushed and unheard, I was told "I don't think so". Incredibly unprofessional. Furthermore, the therapist spending a large proportion of the 20 minute appointment talking about themselves. The therapist was repeatedly 5 minutes late to this already short slot - who on earth is going to understand the complexity and desperation of your situation after three 15 minute phone calls (especially when they talk about themselves more than listening to you). The scores that you have to fill in each week to assess your current state were checked at the very end of the appointment when there is no time remaining to discuss your thoughts or feelings.

I politely raised all of my concerns with the therapist who gave me a lot of attitude and was extremely defensive and asked me "what would you like us to do?". I am shocked, I was just looking for some help.

This service was far far too simplified to offer actual mental health support for me as person who has been suffering for more than 2 weeks. Which is everyone trying to access the service, given that the wait time is at least 12 weeks.