CBT - just listening?!

Has anyone on here had CBT for OCD and anxiety?

my son has been having this on the NHS (on the phone) but so far (after about 5 sessions) all the therapist does is have a chat with him, she listens but she never actually suggests anything - no ideas, no strategies. It doesn’t help my son at all, and the therapists always ends the sessions after about 30 minutes (they’re meant to be an hour). My son isn’t benefitting at all and we don’t know what to do. Is it normal in CBT for the therapist not to suggest anything?! All she does is listen - that’s not CBT surely?
Does anyone have any experience of this? Thanks.

Angel over 3 years ago

Hello Kate Kestrel ,

I am very sorry to hear that your son is not finding his therapist helpful. I can hear how frustrating this must be for him.

I will drop this link about CBT here for you as it explains all about CBT and what happens during a session: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-cbt/overview/

Hopefully it will be of some use for you.

All the very best,

AngelMod.
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Kate Kestrel over 3 years ago in reply to Glitters

Hi Glitters - she phoned and we had the kind of conversation you suggested - and it was helpful. Thanks so much for your advice - it was great advice x
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Glitters over 3 years ago in reply to Kate Kestrel

I can totally understand your sons feelings with this. It's easy for me to say that but If I was in his shoes as well I would be the exact same. But if he can, or you can then definitely talk to her and ask her what's going on or what she intends to do to help. You both deserve to know and can ask anything that's on your minds. It must be so frustrating having waited so long and so far to feel like he hasn't been helped. He deserves to be helped, everyone does and she should be helping him. That's what she's there for. So if you can or her can definitely ask the question.
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Kate Kestrel over 3 years ago in reply to Glitters

Thank you Glitters, that’s helpful. My son is so worried about offending people that he is afraid to raise his concerns with her. I can understand why he feels like this. However this therapy hasn’t helped him at all so I feel we need to try to do something. He waited for months and months on the waiting list to get it.
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Glitters over 3 years ago

Hi Kate, I've not had CBT but I have sat in when in my training. It could be that she is gathering knowledge and getting to know your son first and better before she suggests what's best to help him. She could be building a treatment plan and working out what the best way to help your son is. However if you or your son want to you can ask her why she has only listened to him so far and not actually suggested anything. You are both well within your rights to ask what's going on Kate.
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