In the 1990s I was paying £75.00 per hour privately - but the hour became less in that the Clinical Psychologist arrived later and began to leave earlier. So I was no longer getting my hour. By then I had talked myself out so didn't need her any more. Venting helped stabilise my mental health. I walked out and she never contacted me to see how I was. I found the same with the NHS therapists - once I had left none 'phoned to see if the system had suited me or how I was. 1 or 2 follow up calls would have made a difference. I suppose that they think that a client doesn't return so must be better?
The NHS can provide sessions. It was 12 and I really believe that a good therapist will continue if necessary, regardless. However, in late 1990s I waited 18 months after the GP referral letter: then I had a letter from the Mental Health Team asking if I still needed sessions
. So I went. To tell them that I could well have been dead in the time it took!
Let us know how you get on. When I saw the breast surgeon privately in 199?5, it was £100.00 - he examined me, did a needle biopsy and arranged a mammogram B4 offering surgery.