I had 16-weeks of Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy with Mehnaz through Ealing IATPS.
One of the hardest steps was actually recognising that I needed help, and I was pretty desperate by the time I requested support. IAPTS though made this process feel easier than going through a referal process, and although my current GP is really good, serveral years ago I'd had a dismissive response from my GP when discussing my mental health. The only trouble I had was that initially I was told I couldn't do therapy through IAPTS, as I'd started couples therapy with my partner, and was told I couldn't do both at the same time. So I had to cancel the couples therapy to focus on me first. Both therapists told me though that I should have been allowed to do both.
Appointments
It took about 6-months from first requesting support to getting it. Those 6-months were long and hard, and I had to find additional support before starting the DIT, but in the grand scheme of things this probably wasn't too bad.
Waiting time
The only issue finding the place is that on the second floor is an IAPTS office, while on the third floor is the therapy centre, and the first or second time I went I got confused and buzzed the wrong door, but was quickly directed up the staircase.
Finding your way
Reception was nicely laid out and there were covid measures in place (face masks and handsantiser available), and everything seemed clean. The building is quite old though, and in the summer the therapy room got quite hot.
Reception
Cleanliness
Heating
There were a few sessions that we needed to cancel or re-arrange, and this was generally well communicated by text message or email.
Keeping in touch
I was initially apprehensive about doing therapy, with a feeling that I shouldn't be there or need support, and was wasting the therapist's time when they could be helping others, but I was made to feel welcome and listened to.
Introductions
Being listened to
I felt like my therapist was really good, and challenged a lot of my previous conceptions, while digging deeper into the reasons I was feeling the way I was. For example recognising helping me recongnise when I am being very critical of myself for not achieving something, or even being critical when I do, and how this stems from my experiences as a child. Then how to challenge this voice and state why I shouldn't be so critical. I also felt able to raise some very personal thoughts, that I have never told anyone about before because I felt them to be so bad, and so by proxy I was too. But by discussing the thoughts I felt their power over me shift, and recognise that sometimes it is just better to talk about them.
Staff skills
Seeing the whole me
Overall the therapy has given me tools to cope with some of the negative thoughts and feelings that I have, and be able to recognise and challenge them.
Treatment
I also very much appreciate being given the time to discuss some of my thoughts and feelings and this has got me to a much better place and given me a feeling of self-worth, where I feel more able to ask for help, to reach out, and that me and my problems are worth other people's time. This should stand me in good stead to continue therapy in the future and further my personal development, although I do feel apprehensive given this is again down to me to sort out.
Being given time
Future plans