Maybe the IAPT wheel will stop at counselling, or perhaps low intensity CBT or maybe high intensity CBT! I have just had a client who was within 6 weeks of a road traffic accident given an IAPT telephone assessment and deemed in need of low intensity CBT, but didn’t attend the scheduled treatment appointment and therefore discharged. 14 weeks post rta he underwent a further telephone assessment and was now deemed in need of high intensity CBT, unsurprisingly he DNA’d the first treatment appointment. The GP was provided with no explanation of the rationale followed by IAPT nor was he furnished with any psychometric test data. Accountability?
It is difficult to see the logic of IAPT’s position, other than to be seen to offer a speedy service, it could be argued that some distress post rta is normal and in the interests of ‘saving normal’ (and resources) waiting and seeing a little longer would have been helpful . Perhaps a case for counselling could be made but on what basis?
Dr Mike Scott