mica	Counselling is now offered to anybody after any sudden change. In any anxiety it is helpful for there to be a reliable companion. What it is, is rarely defined - or supervised .... or evaluated. The basic assessment for testing this sort of care is the Hans Eysenck examination of the effectiveness of psychotherapy Those who could not get out of the waitng list - very long - were compared in outcome with those that did get appointments Result - the two groups were the same in outcome. There are gains in seeing a therapist. 1. I am seeing a counsellor/doctor - lay off me, for now. I have a professional companion, in reserve, with whom I can take up things, and put off making decisions under this protection, until I am ready. 2. It is easier to do things for, and with, other people, and to say that, than by oneself. 3. I don't want any other relationship just yet. Other sorts of psychotherapy should be addressed in the same way - cognitive behaviour therapy etc The professional contact is protective insurance for while against other pressures, other advice and interference which might be difficult to deal with, , whilst the natural resolution of time and ordinariness resumes. It provides some ongoing structure with some personal time. The therapist are probably going to be showing some meaningful interest in the personal situation, rather than what can be the off-putting mechanical routine of a busy doctor. Illnesses like the Affective illnesses are going to be self limiting anyway. So whatever is being offered at the time will be the successful agent of recovery. Illnesses like schizophrenia need some sort of outside structure. . back to Home Page " It passed the time ...... ...... it would have passed anyway " .... Waiting for Godot:Samuel Beckett