Waiting List for talking therapies on the NHS

I think you certainly do have grounds for a complaint but in all honesty I wonder if it is worth it. I referred to healthy minds in our area as we dont have talking therapies, its like the equivalent here and it was completely useless. They put me on a CBT course, dont know if youve ever tried that?

It was very much one size fits all therapy and if that thing didnt work for you they wernt interested . It was a case of do this or nothing and when I tried to tell them the things they were suggesting wouldnt work for an autistic person they were just like well this is CBT, do it anyway. Some of the stuff they suggested was unbelievably unhelpful and triggering.

Maybe Talking Therapies would be different and better but if they suggest CBT run for the hills

I too found h.m. not helpful in the slightest. They made me worse...until I pushed for further treatment saying what I'd done previously wasn't helping. I also complained to the manager because of how one of the therapists talked to me. I figured if more people did the same perhaps they might listen. These places are supposed to help but 9/10  make it worse. Then the organisation for autistic individuals in my area is even worse so I've just avoided.

The most helpful thing really has been talking to a private counsellor who was autistic themselves. If you can afford it and can find one it's really worth it. This has been far more helpful in understanding autism from a non-deficit point of view, understanding how my brain works and acceptance. This was better than trying to mould my brain everytime I got anxiety. I understood the CBT and went through the motions but I don't think it was very effective just because I'm wired differently. They are putting autistic people through treatment which isn't effective and this is a waste of resources and time for everyone involved. Ive heard ACT, CAT & DBT are more suitable.

I'm saying if things aren't right for you then speak up.

I too found h.m. not helpful in the slightest. They made me worse...until I pushed for further treatment saying what I'd done previously wasn't helping. I also complained to the manager because of how one of the therapists talked to me. I figured if more people did the same perhaps they might listen. These places are supposed to help but 9/10  make it worse. Then the organisation for autistic individuals in my area is even worse so I've just avoided.

The most helpful thing really has been talking to a private counsellor who was autistic themselves. If you can afford it and can find one it's really worth it. This has been far more helpful in understanding autism from a non-deficit point of view, understanding how my brain works and acceptance. This was better than trying to mould my brain everytime I got anxiety. I understood the CBT and went through the motions but I don't think it was very effective just because I'm wired differently. They are putting autistic people through treatment which isn't effective and this is a waste of resources and time for everyone involved. Ive heard ACT, CAT & DBT are more suitable.

I'm saying if things aren't right for you then speak up.

I think you’re right - we need people who understand autism - otherwise it’s much less likely to be helpful. And you’re right - in principle it’s important to speak up if things aren’t right. It’s difficult though if you’re already feeling so vulnerable and exhausted. But yes - if we don’t nothing will change.