Online Counselling Recommendations

[Breeks]

Hi,

I've been struggling a lot lately - I'm a single dad with a fulltime job and zero breathing / thinking space. Tending to really let things get on top of me and I feel frustrated and angry a lot of the time, I'm finding myself unreasonably barking at the kids recently which isn't on.

Anyway - to my point - can anyone suggest or recommend some online counselling service? I figure if I can do something via phone, zoom or email I can make it work. I've picked through some sites but it's all just a list of faces and bios. Also I'm not sure really where the difference is between a counsellor, a psychotherapist and a psychologist...

Thanks for reading.

[bunchofkeys]

Breeks said:

Hi,

I've been struggling a lot lately - I'm a single dad with a fulltime job and zero breathing / thinking space. Tending to really let things get on top of me and I feel frustrated and angry a lot of the time, I'm finding myself unreasonably barking at the kids recently which isn't on.

Anyway - to my point - can anyone suggest or recommend some online counselling service? I figure if I can do something via phone, zoom or email I can make it work. I've picked through some sites but it's all just a list of faces and bios. Also I'm not sure really where the difference is between a counsellor, a psychotherapist and a psychologist...

Thanks for reading.

From what i've learnt, a counsellor is someone that you can talk to about the immediate situation at hand (a bit like a mate). A Psychotherapist is someone that you can talk to, about the situation and they can form a plan and give you the tools you need to resolve the matter(s) (exams to be passed at this level, but they know their stuff).
A Psychologist is someone that's been studying the subject, degrees etc and can prescribe medicine if required. The other two cannot.
The latter being the most expensive per session and i've found the counsellors to be the cheapest.

When i needed to talk, i started with a Psychotherapist and found that they provided a lot of what i needed to help with my matter.
Due to a house move, they were too far away for me to visit on a regular basis and the Zoom meetings were not doing it for me, i needed to end the sessions and start with someone new.

I was able to find a local counsellor that was able to give me support, but i found i only needed them for a bit of venting and clearing stuff out of my head once in a while. So i speak to them face to face once a month.

This was in comparison to the once a week visits with the Psychotherapist.

There are a couple of directories online that will list them, this was the place where i first started.
https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/find-a-therapist/...

In terms of recommending someone, i spoke to a number of them before settling on the one that i did.
Don't be afraid to tell them that it's not working, you need to feel happy with the person that it supporting you; when i found the right one, i knew within the first session with them.

Hope it helps

Edited by bunchofkeys on Sunday 17th April 12:50

[parabolica]

No direct experience I'm afraid but betterhelp.com went hard on sponsoring a lot of large-audience podcasts last year and their reviews seem to back up their credentials.

[popeyewhite]

Breeks said:

Hi,

.....Also I'm not sure really where the difference is between a counsellor, a psychotherapist and a psychologist...

Thanks for reading.

Very briefly, and there are exceptions - counselling/psychotherapy are pretty near interchangeable terms, and utilise 'listening' skills and are generally fairly non-directive. A psychologist differs in that approach, ie that theory informs their opinions and guides their interventions.

Regarding making an appointment OP, if you just want to talk and have someone's undivided attention for 50 minutes then counselling/psychotherapy is the better route. It is awkward to pick someone from a website, I'm afraid I have no advice on the subject other than pick someone who you think you might like!

[vulture1]

Ask your work if they have any links or resources. Ours now pay for occupational health, employee assistance and mind.

[mr mac i]

I can't offer any suggestions for online, though do as mentioned above check what your employer offers.

If you can somehow get someone to look after the kids on a Monday try Andy's Man Club if there's one near you. I know from friends and colleagues that it's a brilliant support, and also gives you some time for you which can only be good!

https://andysmanclub.co.uk/about/

[Cudd Wudd]

bunchofkeys said:

...A Psychologist is someone that's been studying the subject, degrees etc and can prescribe medicine if required. The other two cannot...

Hello, I am NOT a health professional, but I think you mean psychiatrist rather than psychologist here regarding prescribing medicine as a right (though you do say "can" implying not all so apologies if the following is what you meant).

From the NHS:

A doctor who works in psychiatry is called a psychiatrist. Unlike other mental health professionals, such as psychologists and counsellors, psychiatrists must be medically qualified doctors who have chosen to specialise in psychiatry. This means they can prescribe medication as well as recommend other forms of treatment.

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies...

OP, this website may be helpful in explaining the differences between counselling, psychology and psychotherapy (the latter of which can be done by psychiatrists):

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psy...

Psychologists (and some other health professionals) can have prescribing rights but need to undergo specific training.

https://www.bps.org.uk/who-we-are/practice-board/p...

Hope you find the right support and help

[Breeks]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and reply. I'm clearer with regards to the type of person I need to talk to now - just need to find the right person. Unfortunately, there's no localish Andy's Man Club meetings I could attend, but thanks for the pointer it maybe something for later on.

[bitchstewie]

If you haven't done so already it might be worth speaking to your GP.

Not saying you're doing this but there can be a bit of a pride thing with men where they think they're taking up a doctors time unnecessarily etc. but that's exactly what they're there for and they should be able to put you in contact with the resources in your area.

[Vasco]

You really need to see your doctor before trying any of these other options. You're running before you can walk.

[Animal]

Breeks said:

Thanks everyone for taking the time to read and reply. I'm clearer with regards to the type of person I need to talk to now - just need to find the right person. Unfortunately, there's no localish Andy's Man Club meetings I could attend, but thanks for the pointer it maybe something for later on.

Hi - your local IAPT service might be able to help (depending on their current availability because they don't have loads of resources). Having done plenty of different types of talking therapy (including being married to a psychotherapist) my take is:

- a therapist (aka psychotherapist/counsellor) is someone you can talk to on a regular basis and work through issues/behaviours to identify causes and patterns. It's a long-term and sometimes slow process. a therapist will not give you a straight answer; their job is to help you find the answers within. Private psychotherapy is generally about £60/hour.
- a psychiatrist is a medically-trained doctor and can therefore prescribe medication if necessary. Maybe I got lucky, but the psychiatrist I saw would just give me the answers and make suggestions/tell me what to do! Psychiatrists charge a lot - maybe £300/hour or more. Plenty of them offer 30-minute slots.

Bear in mind that whichever one you go to an 'hour' is always 50 minutes so don't feel like you're being short changed. They all do that sir!

I don't know how old your kids are, but could you talk through some of this with them? You needn't go into specifics, but could you tell them when you're feeling stressed or anxious or frustrated etc? As parents we do our utmost to model empathy to our kids.

[StevieBee]

Breeks said:

Also I'm not sure really where the difference is between a counsellor, a psychotherapist and a psychologist.

A Psychologist examines and determines the reason for certain behaviours, reactions, etc.
A Psychotherapist administers treatment to help
A Counsellor is similar to a Psychotherapist but focuses more upon the here, now and future rather than what has gone before to determine reason.

Academically speaking the above is in rank order. So a Psychologist can also practice as a Psychotherapist and Counsellor, but the reverse is not possible.

What you need is first determined by your GP.

Counselling is a woefully under regulated discipline and whilst there are many very good ones, not all are. You need your GP to point you in the right direction as the wrong one can do far more harm than good.

HTH and good luck.

[z4RRSchris]

hello self, all online and if you have work insurance very easy to get approved. think we get 6 sessions a year no questions asked with Axa