@Loz_3647 I know how you feel.. These services are like first aid mental health services, sometimes you get experienced counsellor, but sometimes the inexperienced one made you feel worse. I remembered once or twice I needed to give very blunt feedback. They asked me how I was feeling before speaking to them and after speaking to them? I told them: thanks for your time listening to me. But honestly, I don't feel better after speaking to you. I suggest you may need to have more training and equipped with enough knowledge in mental health area before you can really help people instead making them feel worse.
Some experienced counsellors are great, who can give you some techniques to ease your anxiety when you feel intense- ie. have a hot bath, deep inhale, breath holding and deep exhale.. etc. But in the end of the day, I know I am the one who can help myself. So I go online to find useful resources to assist changing my unwanted thoughts, reading books that help improve my issues and conditions. If you have religious belief, I think prayers will also make you feel better,
I am currently caught up fighting with public mental health system. And I am very surprised that these people have very minimal skills to deal with vulnerable patients. My GP referred me for medication review as I don't have suitable med if I caught up in episodes. I have been seen the same public mental health service few times before. My GP spoke to their psychiatrist and was promised to give me appointment. The manager from the same org declined the request and insisted that I am not sick enough so they affirm their original decision asking me to see private psychiatrist (I have lodged official complaint about the staff and spoke to the same manager just few days ago).
I am asking myself: Is it worth to fight with them? It brought more stress into my life while I have had enough in my plate... In the end of the day, if the manager is the one who can make final decision and the case was taken it personal due to my complaint, there is little I can do.. Although I really feel unfair. I will probably focus on my own wellbeing and change my mindset not to have too much hope to overturn their decision. If my condition deteriorates, the only option I can have probably will be emergency services in the hospital. However, I will try my best to make myself feel better. In the end of the day, they are not important, but myself, my families and those who care about me are important.