Gonna throw is out there because I found a lot of people relate to this feeling of being weak if they would go to therapy. Going to therapy is NOT a weakness. Seeking help is being strong.
Therapy (and even all sorts of meds) never helped me, unfortunately... but not everyone is the same so my bad experience or Lucy's good experience talks only about themselves and I actually encourage everyone to at least TRY some sort of mental health treatment
the reality is that sometimes the therapist and client just aren't compatible. Also, there are so many different types of therapy and different positions that therapists have, which affect even the way the therapist will act around you. Sometimes it's really difficult to find something & someone that suits your needs, but I wouldn't lose hope. I hope you eventually find something that helps you, whether it's therapy or anything else :)
I've had NHS therapy and had to wait 9 months before I saw someone, which is too long for most people! I would recommend private if you can afford it, but if you can't, and you're not very unwell, I would say the NHS one has been helpful for me. You get about 12 sessions, but if you need more (like I did), you have to wait six months (to let others access the service), and reapply again, and wait 3-12 months again. I wasn't working so had no other option, but private is available much, much quicker! Just thought I'd share my experience!
It can be worth looking into charities in your area who offer free or pay what you can therapy. They tend to have shorter waiting lists than NHS services in my experience.
I am considering going back to therapy again now that I've gotten to a place where I've come to terms with a few more of my issues. I had a great experience last time I went and I think I'm ready to go back again.
Who would also love just the audio files of this series as a podcast? 😮 Because, it's this long (Sunday Social is even longer) that would be an awesome addition.
I'm in therapy now and my first session was great, surely it can't have been great on my counsellors end because as soon as she closed the door I just let out a vent that had been building up for 2-3 years! (Yes that's how long I was on the waiting list) I've been in counselling many times and I never really found a counsellor that was a match for me which admittedly, put me off getting mental help for a while. On my first *real* session with my new counsellor (we'd had the introductions prior) she picked up on my biggest anxiety problem instantly and gave me homework to do before my next session. I would recommend it completely but I wouldn't go through the NHS again.
As someone training to become a therapist, it's so helpful to hear your account. Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you benefitted from therapy and are doing better now!!
Lucy, you are one of the most genuine people on here and I truly appreciate hearing your view on things. I absolutely love your videos and I wish we could be friends x
I started therapy 18 months ago and it has been the best decision I have ever made in my life. I love my therapist and I learned so much about myself and how to cope with things, it has been an amazing journey. Don't be afraid to try it can really change your life!
Thank you for using your platform to talk about this necessary topic. I am a music therapist and the arts are a great way to complement and explore talk therapy as well.
as someone who wants to become a therapist i've been told quite a few times that 'its just talking, it's not good for anything' of course I know that isn't true but it was really inspiring to hear you talk about how 'just talking' actually really helps sometimes, thank you x
hi lucy, i adored this video and really admire the way you are using this platform! one thing i wish you had mentioned was that one does not have to feel as though though are suffering from mental health issues to go into therapy. i think that - if they can afford it - talk therapy is beneficial for everyone since it helps them navigate their inner worlds and relationships. just something i thought i should share!
I'm so happy that you feel like you're finding a balance of sharing without oversharing, and that you could take the time you needed away from that to think about things! This is such a beautiful idea, and this video was really lovely. I started therapy a couple months after you (I think) and just had to say goodbye to my therapist because of logistical reasons, and watching this was a really lovely way to reflect on this most recent stint in therapy. I really loved how you spoke about the possibility of going back to therapy in the future, because it leaves open the option and makes leaving seem less scary and final. I'm so glad it was helpful for you, and thank you for all of your tips and sharing your experiences!!
I've had therapy on and off since I was 8, but regularly since I was 14 when I was close to giving up. Therapy has helped me immensely and I'm so lucky to have had good therapists/counsellors. I'm very open about my mental health and the fact that I've had therapy and I encourage all of my friends to try therapy. It's so good for you to have someone you can talk to and someone you know won't judge you or belittle your problems. Before the therapist I have now I also went on a trial session with this one therapist, who was so closed off and just sat there silently. I felt like I was talking to a wall. Not for me (but someone else might like a more quiet therapist and that's okay too!). Then I had a trial session with my current therapist and I immediately knew that she was the one for me. She's now been my therapist for 4 years so she knows everything about me. There's nothing we haven't discussed and she's been great and shared her wisdom and her life with me as well. Now that I'm moving to England in September my therapy is coming to an end, but wow has she been amazing. Everyone should try therapy. It might not be for everyone, but it's worth giving it a shot.
Therapy honestly saved my life. If it hadn't been for my therapist and our weekly sessions I don't know where my depression and anxiety would have taken me. That is why I talk about and recommend it to everyone and anyone.
Thank you for talking about this and contributing to the normalization of seeking help for mental issues. A big thing that helped me was telling my therapist at the start what I wanted from the sessions and what I needed from her - ie I need a therapist who doesn't only sit and listen but also asks questions that make me think/reflect. Also, because you mentioned medication briefly- I think it's important to say that finding the right one can be trial and error just like finding the right therapist. There's no shame in needing medication and there's no shame in deciding it's not right for you.
Lucy, not only are you my go-to for when I need to seek solace and unwind after a long day, you're honestly such a great down to earth human! I'm so glad that you made this video because I wanted to go for therapy but I really wasn't sure; Your video kind of gave me an insight into therapy! Please do keep this series up, I can't wait for more! xx
you can also check out online articles or get books about psychology.. it's a vital subject for everyone to know, not only the therapists or people who went to uni to study it. there are many resources to learn these things for ourselves and be able to manipulate our own healing and coping mechanisms or help friends and others through talk and it doesn't have to always be a doctor-patient 'deadend' [unless one has really big perceptive probs or like a mental block for different reasons that hinders their normal daily lives or something]
Wow, the timing of this video was impecable Lucy! This tuesday I am starting therapy for the first time and I having my doubts and worries so I will really benefit from this video. Thank you so much!
I've had so many therapists, it's been 7 different outpatient therapists plus 6 mental health inpatient stays. I've made different experiences, some of the therapists didn't work for me, I wouldn't get anywhere, but some were (and still are) incredible! I can only speak for myself and different countries did have a vastly different system. I am currently in Germany (although I have had therapy in Austria and Australia as well). In Germany, you do get 5 trial sessions, but still waiting lists can be long! A thing I can totally recommend is therapists in training! When you're training to become a licensed therapist you have to gather like 3000 hours of therapy. And there are centers where this is done. You do get into it a lot quicker and it is still covered by insurance. And in my experience, those therapists were the best! Still super motivated, up to date with research, and still supervised.
I am training to be a counsellor and this video is literally life. We need more people to talk about there experiences. Sounds like you did humanistic which is a person centred therapy. They base sessions around you as a person. The hitting the pillow is a techquie used to make you feel stronger as a person and let frustrations out (it can be normal it certain sessions depending on the person) so happy you shared your experience and put it on the internet. We need more people like you ❤
I am so glad you made this. I was really nervous about starting therapy about a year and a half ago, but Dodie and Tessa Violet made a video about it and really helped me make a decision and make me less scared, but it is so encouraging to hear people talking about it normally. Really helps the relating anxiety
I recently started therapy in school and tbh I’m still struggling. I do think that it’s a two steps forward one step back kinda thing, and I need to take my time x
First of all, love this video and new series! Second of all, I’m really glad that this is making the topic of therapy less daunting and unknown to many people. I went through three therapists until I finally found the one that really works for me and is very effective at understanding what I needed. If you have tried therapy but found that it “didn’t work for you”, I urge you to try again with another therapist! The right fit is so important!
I'm SO excited for this series! I loved the sleepover club books too and the show! Therapy is such a taboo topic because everyone assumes you go to therapy because youre 'crazy' which is so not how it is. I've been there throughout my years at college and uni and it really helped me!
I found therapy very helpful. I think it is something everyone should take at their own pace. For example I started going once every week, then once every two weeks and so on until it was almost once a month. It was scary at first but she was one of the very few people I really opened up to.
I love the idea for this new series! I really like it when Lucy picks up such important topic- she has really insightful things to say aaaaand it's just calming to hear her talk.
I loved this video and this series idea. I'm currently seeing a therapist every 2 weeks or once a month and it's been very helpful as I've struggled for the past few months. I see her for free through my university, but I do have a limited number of sessions, however I have been seeing her for about 6 months.
I’m been in and out of therapy public and private therapy for many different reasons over about 4 years. I’ve been with my current private therapist for around 8 months and I value my one hour blocks of time I spend with her so much. She just lets me talk with her until I figure out my own problems almost. I have come so far with her help that I would recommend therapy to so many people even if it’s only a few sessions! So proud of you for taking up therapy and now making it to a point where you can manage life without it! ❤️❤️❤️
I would love a video about what to do when your goals change and you're not necessarily unhappy about it. Kind of related to maturity, finding out things about yourself, etc!
The moment you started talking in this video I related so much and its made me so much less scared to try therapy again (my first experience wasn't that great!) so thank you. I am glad you're doing so well!!
I find it amazing that in the Uk it’s actually possible to have your therapy be sponsored through the healthcare system. Where I live that’s practically impossible. All my therapy has been paid privately which is extremely costly, but I’ve needed it. People in the UK are super lucky
I've had my first therapy session about two weeks ago through my uni and they offered free services for students which was so helpful! It helped me a lot, and it's one of the best choice I've made in life. I think I'm going back this week so the timing of the video is so perfect!
Just want to mention, that many UK universities offer a counselling service for free. So if you're in education check which services may be available to you! Thank you for sharing Lucy!
This is why I love you like the fact that your channel is so relaxed and genuine like your just sitting and drinking tea and being real. I can just come watch your videos to feel good about myself and everything. I love this serious already
No need to go through your GP, self-refer to talking therapies which do include CBT amongst other models but its all a matter of luck and postcode - who you get and what model will be used and how long you will need to wait. For NHS Google talking therapies and the name of the borough, you live in for info on self-referring. I have used both private and NHS and had good experience for both . One main difference is as you mentioned is that NHS will be time-limited usually no more than 12 weeks which for most is not enough also you get the therapist you are given- there is little choice.
I've just now started "proper" therapy even though I went to my health center in Oktober last year (although that wasn't because of waiting lists). I'm doing CBT for my social anxiety, but I've also met a different therapist who diagnosed me and met me maybe once a month or so (whilst also seeing my school counselor). What's really been helping me during all this time, however, was taking meds. I'm much much better to what I was six months ago thanks to them. Really important to keep in mind that different treatments work differently for everyone. Great vid!
thank you for being open about your experience and im glad you feel comfortable with sharing your thoughts on youtube again. definitely loved this so i look forward to it being a series! it was very calming to listen to and it made me sit with myself and think about what was said. all the best
love the new series, thanks for sharing. Honestly, it's so discouraging when you have mental health problems but you can't afford therapy. As you said, I'm making it work for me for now, I stay informed and seek other forms of help through books, videos, articles, etc, but I can't wait until I can afford it cause I still have a lot of set backs and issues with my anxiety and hypochondria. it'll get better, I know.
I am an avid #MentalHealthAwareness advocate and performer, and I love this so much. I travel the country trying to bring that awareness on stages, in classrooms, hospitals, and on my UA-cam channel, so I get excited when I see other advocates. 💙❤
Its so interesting seeing how the systems differ in other countries. I'm from Australia and have been to a psychologist both privately and publicly. Going private normally means you can get in pretty quickly but the sessions I had were over $200 (around 110 pounds) a pop and even with private health insurance (which i'm lucky my parents still pay for) it didn't make it that much cheaper. You often also still need to be referred from a doctor and get a mental health care plan which gives you a small discount. The second time I got therapy I went though my GP again, got another mental healthcare plan and went to this place called headspace which is specifically for young people. Most of my appointment cost was covered by medicare but I had to pay a $25 gap which wasn't covered. I was also very lucky I got in quickly because most of the time there is a very long waitlist. Just thought I would give a different perspective from another country for any Aussie viewers out there that are thinking about therapy. I will say even though the cost is high it is worth it if you can afford it, it truely changed my life.
After going through something similar, it is so helpful to know I am not the only one. This video was so awesome, thank you so much! You're amazing, keep on being awesome!
so so pleased you've started doing vids where you talk about important stuff again, have really really missed listening to you chat about important topics
As far as I'm concerned, therapy didn't help because it was endless and frustrating, that was not what I needed as I kinda knew where would my problems come from, I knew that talking about it didn't help, I wanted to SOLVE And I found what I needed, which is hypnosis, hypno-therapy (that's how we call it in French) which is really based on SOLVING the problems, and in 6 sessions it was over. All my problems linked with femininity, parents, sex, relationships to others, self confidence... I would recommend this to everybody.
LOVE this series idea and just love YOU Lucy, you're such a huge inspiration and are just killin' it on youtube! Fave gal to watch and these kind of videos are a breath of fresh air xo
I’ve only just started watching your videos and it’s legit changed my life, idk why but you post ALL the things I didn’t know that I needed but now hat I do I can’t stop watching you😂💕
Love the vid. I don't know about the uk, but in serbia there are also free options for students. Usually, the people who volunteer in various organisations. For example, my therapist volunteers in the lgbtq+ organisation. And since I've started going, i felt so much better. I would recommend therapy to everyone. There is a huge stigma around therapy in serbia, especially among the middle aged people, but I'm glad that many people from my generation have no problem with therapy
I like how she does her makeup, how she tells stories, and what she does with her hands. :)) She makes stories more interesting, and reminds me of my aunt
I've been seeing a CBT therapist for my chronic fatigue / chronic pain / anxiety since November!! Her name is Lucy actually lmfao but I rlly don't know what I'd do without her bc I've basically had to rewire the way I think ?? I've taken a 6 week break to see if the techniques help but I rlly do feel so much better in myself !! I really would recommend therapy to everyone if I could xx
Just to add some charities also offer free or pay what you can therapy so I would recommend researching in your local area. They do have waiting lists but they're often shorter than NHS waiting lists.
The whole offering a certain price you can afford is called a sliding scale fee usually I think. I know, at least in Canada, that a lot of community centres offer those kinds of services with a sliding scale fee as well as drop-in sessions. Also a lot of religious community type establishments offer it and its open to people of all faiths, but they're usually like spiritual counsellors, so you can talk about faith if you wanted to. Also if you're looking to save money and you think a group setting might be helpful group therapy is a really great option. :)
I love this video and can’t wait for the rest of the series ! Just as I graduated high school at the beginning of this month I lost my best friend, and hearing about your struggle with that really helps me feel normal about losing friends even if it’s absolutely awful.
around 2 years ago, i was suffering from extreme anxiety/suicidal thoughts and anxiety-dependent depression and it was so bad that it was ruining my life, relationships and ambitions. i struggled to make it into educational facilities (i'd go in late or not at all), meaning my grades suffered, and my friendships were futile and fake. i was prescribed CBT therapy which i found utterly ridiculous as it essentially meant i had to discuss all my trauma which was incredibly difficult and the therapist had this weird mindset that my mum couldn't be in the room with me (which in turn made me feel very unsafe and uncomfortable). so i threw the towel in with that pretty early on. when i was feeling extremely suicidal and self destructive (albeit not physically, but deliberately taking actions that would damage me such as arguing with parents etc), i was sent to a 'severe' institution where the assessor essentially told me i 'wasn't bad enough' for therapy at their establishment and actually laughed when i confessed that i had been considering suicide but wasn't gutsy enough to go through with it. after that, i was referred to a children's hospital where luckily i really clicked with the paediatrician who specialised in mental health and enjoyed around six months of discussion with her. however, again you are only permitted a certain period of treatment before you are forced to reapply and i mistakenly believed i did not need to reapply, so over the period i was without help, i became bulimic and lost around 2 stone in 6 weeks. at my high school, i met a counsellor weekly who i got on with but oddly i always felt that i was stalling for time/waffling if that makes sense at all. strangely i went to college in 2016 and became much better as my friendships were much improved and the friends i made were incredibly supportive. i still suffer panic attacks and extremely anxious periods but on the whole i would say my conditions have become far more manageable rather than overwhelming/all consuming as they originally were. just wanted to share my experience with everyone, ive seen many online presences portraying therapy as a saving service but there are many people for whom it a) doesn't work at all or b) makes conditions worse. hope this provides an insight for other commenters xx
This is super interesting, I personally don’t suffer from any sort of mental health issue, and so I find it really difficult to empathise with people who have anxiety. I find this video really informative and interesting so thanks Lucy. It gives a new perspective on life and although I’ve not always had my physical health, I’m so glad I have never had any mental health problem. Previously I’ve thought this, and I’d love if someone could answer it. Ever considered just not thinking about it?, just not thinking?, just thinking about nothing but your breathing, slowing your life right down to a speed you can control. Just stop caring what people think of you. Is that not just that simple? Surely anxiety is just all in your head and by the very definition you can just control your own thinking. “A really cute kitten” there, you can make your mind think about one thought like that so why can’t you just stop your mind thinking another? This is just what I’ve previously thought and I’m now trying to better myself by trying to understand others
I know you likely wont see this but I'll comment incase anyone else sees it, it's simply not that easy. Anxiety is physical too, it can cause rapid heart rate, nausea, lightheadedness, chest pain, choking sensations etc and they are automatic reactions to thoughts you have. Once you've had the thought the reaction is automatic so while changing the thought is good, it wont stop these reactions. Tbh theres too much to explain so have a look at websites like Young Minds and NHS info on anxiety.
I loved this and i'm really excited for this series! I loved your video with Arden and maybe you could do something similar with her for this series? Love you! x
This is a fantastic idea. I remember reading the sleepover books and this feels like a great development of the idea. Thank you so much for being so genuine and earnest in this video, Lucy x
so so excited for this series!! I've always loved your more personal/issue related vids the most ;) Also just have to say, you look absolutely stunning in this video!
Good for you for getting the help you needed! I saw a therapist for a couple of years for anxiety and I stopped a few years back. I don't have the same kind of anxiety anymore (not that I don't still get anxious sometimes!) but sometimes I want to go back just for mental health fitness. I'm surprised to hear that you had to pay out of pocket! I though the NHS payed for that in England?
So excited for this series! Also I’ve thought about taking up therapy again since my anxiety got worse and this really gave me a push to finally book an appointment ❤️
Could you talk more about the phobias and anxiety you mentioned? I find that often general anxiety is talked about a lot, but phobias are less spoken about so it would be really interesting to hear your thoughts and experiences. This was great!
Absolutely great video and serie idea! I have done a few therapy sessions through my university and they have helped me a lot. I had to pay, but it was cheaper than going private and there was no need to go to my GP first. So for anyone in university, maybe check whether there are services available at your university!
ferrentes my university (Edinburgh) provide 3 free therapy sessions (not sure how good seeing as I haven’t accessed myself) to students so if you go here and are in need check it out
ferrentes Sadly getting mental health services at a lot of universities is not easy. For the most part unless you are a danger to yourself or others you have to wait a very long time to receive any kind of service even though it’s free. I got to an American university so maybe that’s why services are not great, but for people in the same situation I would recommend whatever private therapy your insurance covers instead of waiting forever
Sarah Mowrey Most people in the UK don't have health insurance because the NHS is publicly funded. So either they wait for NHS services (or other third sector services) or cover the cost themselves.
Jessica Oldridge I tried to access the counselling sessions at uni (Edinburgh too!) took about a month until I heard back from them, then had an appointment with them during which they told me I would have to wait for another month before therapy could start. Kinda long when you're at your lowest! But at least it's not 11 months like the NHS I guess
Not finished this video yet, but just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to the rest of this series! These are why I subscribed to you as I'm not really interested in fashion etc.
Because there is a lot at the moment being promoted about mental health, it would be a good topic to explore in depth. You could, if they are willing (and are cheap enough), get a therapist in and explain what it is they do and remove any stigmas people may have about approac ing them. I may have suggested getting people to send their questions in beforehand... but you'll probably get charged for that lol
LOVED this and bloody love this series idea !
LOVE U
"I had to start seeing mental health as being as financially important as me buying my fruit and vegetables every week." YES
Adored this talk & also - reeeally love the series name, so much nostalgia! xxx
Thanks bby!
lucy you are GLOWING in this video! your skin looks soooo good
A little bit of Monika does it have to be all capitalized on “glowing?”
Gonna throw is out there because I found a lot of people relate to this feeling of being weak if they would go to therapy. Going to therapy is NOT a weakness. Seeking help is being strong.
This series sounds so good. Can't wait for more
Therapy (and even all sorts of meds) never helped me, unfortunately... but not everyone is the same so my bad experience or Lucy's good experience talks only about themselves and I actually encourage everyone to at least TRY some sort of mental health treatment
the reality is that sometimes the therapist and client just aren't compatible. Also, there are so many different types of therapy and different positions that therapists have, which affect even the way the therapist will act around you. Sometimes it's really difficult to find something & someone that suits your needs, but I wouldn't lose hope. I hope you eventually find something that helps you, whether it's therapy or anything else :)
I've had NHS therapy and had to wait 9 months before I saw someone, which is too long for most people! I would recommend private if you can afford it, but if you can't, and you're not very unwell, I would say the NHS one has been helpful for me. You get about 12 sessions, but if you need more (like I did), you have to wait six months (to let others access the service), and reapply again, and wait 3-12 months again. I wasn't working so had no other option, but private is available much, much quicker! Just thought I'd share my experience!
Leila Peach I would just point out that it's different in different areas on the NHS.
Yes, which is why I said "I" had to wait that amount of time. I understand different places have different waiting times.
Oh gosh I'm sorry for your long wait! I hope your partner gets treatment soon!
It can be worth looking into charities in your area who offer free or pay what you can therapy. They tend to have shorter waiting lists than NHS services in my experience.
I am considering going back to therapy again now that I've gotten to a place where I've come to terms with a few more of my issues. I had a great experience last time I went and I think I'm ready to go back again.
Who would also love just the audio files of this series as a podcast? 😮 Because, it's this long (Sunday Social is even longer) that would be an awesome addition.
I'm in therapy now and my first session was great, surely it can't have been great on my counsellors end because as soon as she closed the door I just let out a vent that had been building up for 2-3 years! (Yes that's how long I was on the waiting list) I've been in counselling many times and I never really found a counsellor that was a match for me which admittedly, put me off getting mental help for a while. On my first *real* session with my new counsellor (we'd had the introductions prior) she picked up on my biggest anxiety problem instantly and gave me homework to do before my next session. I would recommend it completely but I wouldn't go through the NHS again.
As someone training to become a therapist, it's so helpful to hear your account. Thank you for sharing. I'm so glad you benefitted from therapy and are doing better now!!
Lucy, you are one of the most genuine people on here and I truly appreciate hearing your view on things. I absolutely love your videos and I wish we could be friends x
I started therapy 18 months ago and it has been the best decision I have ever made in my life. I love my therapist and I learned so much about myself and how to cope with things, it has been an amazing journey. Don't be afraid to try it can really change your life!
Thank you for using your platform to talk about this necessary topic. I am a music therapist and the arts are a great way to complement and explore talk therapy as well.
as someone who wants to become a therapist i've been told quite a few times that 'its just talking, it's not good for anything' of course I know that isn't true but it was really inspiring to hear you talk about how 'just talking' actually really helps sometimes, thank you x
hi lucy, i adored this video and really admire the way you are using this platform! one thing i wish you had mentioned was that one does not have to feel as though though are suffering from mental health issues to go into therapy. i think that - if they can afford it - talk therapy is beneficial for everyone since it helps them navigate their inner worlds and relationships. just something i thought i should share!
This hair color is beautiful on you cutiepie! Thanks a bunch for always being so open and willing to discuss your mental health. xx
I'm so happy that you feel like you're finding a balance of sharing without oversharing, and that you could take the time you needed away from that to think about things! This is such a beautiful idea, and this video was really lovely. I started therapy a couple months after you (I think) and just had to say goodbye to my therapist because of logistical reasons, and watching this was a really lovely way to reflect on this most recent stint in therapy. I really loved how you spoke about the possibility of going back to therapy in the future, because it leaves open the option and makes leaving seem less scary and final. I'm so glad it was helpful for you, and thank you for all of your tips and sharing your experiences!!
I've had therapy on and off since I was 8, but regularly since I was 14 when I was close to giving up. Therapy has helped me immensely and I'm so lucky to have had good therapists/counsellors. I'm very open about my mental health and the fact that I've had therapy and I encourage all of my friends to try therapy. It's so good for you to have someone you can talk to and someone you know won't judge you or belittle your problems.
Before the therapist I have now I also went on a trial session with this one therapist, who was so closed off and just sat there silently. I felt like I was talking to a wall. Not for me (but someone else might like a more quiet therapist and that's okay too!). Then I had a trial session with my current therapist and I immediately knew that she was the one for me. She's now been my therapist for 4 years so she knows everything about me. There's nothing we haven't discussed and she's been great and shared her wisdom and her life with me as well. Now that I'm moving to England in September my therapy is coming to an end, but wow has she been amazing.
Everyone should try therapy. It might not be for everyone, but it's worth giving it a shot.
Therapy honestly saved my life. If it hadn't been for my therapist and our weekly sessions I don't know where my depression and anxiety would have taken me.
That is why I talk about and recommend it to everyone and anyone.
Thank you for talking about this and contributing to the normalization of seeking help for mental issues. A big thing that helped me was telling my therapist at the start what I wanted from the sessions and what I needed from her - ie I need a therapist who doesn't only sit and listen but also asks questions that make me think/reflect. Also, because you mentioned medication briefly- I think it's important to say that finding the right one can be trial and error just like finding the right therapist. There's no shame in needing medication and there's no shame in deciding it's not right for you.
Lucy, not only are you my go-to for when I need to seek solace and unwind after a long day, you're honestly such a great down to earth human! I'm so glad that you made this video because I wanted to go for therapy but I really wasn't sure; Your video kind of gave me an insight into therapy! Please do keep this series up, I can't wait for more!
xx
you can also check out online articles or get books about psychology.. it's a vital subject for everyone to know, not only the therapists or people who went to uni to study it. there are many resources to learn these things for ourselves and be able to manipulate our own healing and coping mechanisms or help friends and others through talk and it doesn't have to always be a doctor-patient 'deadend' [unless one has really big perceptive probs or like a mental block for different reasons that hinders their normal daily lives or something]
Wow, the timing of this video was impecable Lucy! This tuesday I am starting therapy for the first time and I having my doubts and worries so I will really benefit from this video. Thank you so much!
I've had so many therapists, it's been 7 different outpatient therapists plus 6 mental health inpatient stays. I've made different experiences, some of the therapists didn't work for me, I wouldn't get anywhere, but some were (and still are) incredible!
I can only speak for myself and different countries did have a vastly different system. I am currently in Germany (although I have had therapy in Austria and Australia as well). In Germany, you do get 5 trial sessions, but still waiting lists can be long!
A thing I can totally recommend is therapists in training! When you're training to become a licensed therapist you have to gather like 3000 hours of therapy. And there are centers where this is done. You do get into it a lot quicker and it is still covered by insurance. And in my experience, those therapists were the best! Still super motivated, up to date with research, and still supervised.
I am training to be a counsellor and this video is literally life. We need more people to talk about there experiences. Sounds like you did humanistic which is a person centred therapy. They base sessions around you as a person. The hitting the pillow is a techquie used to make you feel stronger as a person and let frustrations out (it can be normal it certain sessions depending on the person) so happy you shared your experience and put it on the internet. We need more people like you ❤
I am so glad you made this. I was really nervous about starting therapy about a year and a half ago, but Dodie and Tessa Violet made a video about it and really helped me make a decision and make me less scared, but it is so encouraging to hear people talking about it normally. Really helps the relating anxiety
I recently started therapy in school and tbh I’m still struggling. I do think that it’s a two steps forward one step back kinda thing, and I need to take my time x
First of all, love this video and new series! Second of all, I’m really glad that this is making the topic of therapy less daunting and unknown to many people. I went through three therapists until I finally found the one that really works for me and is very effective at understanding what I needed. If you have tried therapy but found that it “didn’t work for you”, I urge you to try again with another therapist! The right fit is so important!
I'm SO excited for this series! I loved the sleepover club books too and the show! Therapy is such a taboo topic because everyone assumes you go to therapy because youre 'crazy' which is so not how it is. I've been there throughout my years at college and uni and it really helped me!
Love this!!! It's nice to hear other people's experiences and know there is other people going through what you're going through. Thanks Lucy xx
I found therapy very helpful. I think it is something everyone should take at their own pace. For example I started going once every week, then once every two weeks and so on until it was almost once a month. It was scary at first but she was one of the very few people I really opened up to.
I love the idea for this new series! I really like it when Lucy picks up such important topic- she has really insightful things to say aaaaand it's just calming to hear her talk.
I loved this video and this series idea. I'm currently seeing a therapist every 2 weeks or once a month and it's been very helpful as I've struggled for the past few months. I see her for free through my university, but I do have a limited number of sessions, however I have been seeing her for about 6 months.
I’m been in and out of therapy public and private therapy for many different reasons over about 4 years. I’ve been with my current private therapist for around 8 months and I value my one hour blocks of time I spend with her so much. She just lets me talk with her until I figure out my own problems almost. I have come so far with her help that I would recommend therapy to so many people even if it’s only a few sessions! So proud of you for taking up therapy and now making it to a point where you can manage life without it! ❤️❤️❤️
I would love a video about what to do when your goals change and you're not necessarily unhappy about it. Kind of related to maturity, finding out things about yourself, etc!
The moment you started talking in this video I related so much and its made me so much less scared to try therapy again (my first experience wasn't that great!) so thank you. I am glad you're doing so well!!
I love your videos, it’s like having a comforting big sister
I find it amazing that in the Uk it’s actually possible to have your therapy be sponsored through the healthcare system. Where I live that’s practically impossible. All my therapy has been paid privately which is extremely costly, but I’ve needed it. People in the UK are super lucky
I've had my first therapy session about two weeks ago through my uni and they offered free services for students which was so helpful! It helped me a lot, and it's one of the best choice I've made in life. I think I'm going back this week so the timing of the video is so perfect!
I just applied for talking therapy through that website and i’ve never had therapy before and really need it so thank you
this is an amazing video lucy!
Just want to mention, that many UK universities offer a counselling service for free. So if you're in education check which services may be available to you! Thank you for sharing Lucy!
This is why I love you like the fact that your channel is so relaxed and genuine like your just sitting and drinking tea and being real. I can just come watch your videos to feel good about myself and everything. I love this serious already
No need to go through your GP, self-refer to talking therapies which do include CBT amongst other models but its all a matter of luck and postcode - who you get and what model will be used and how long you will need to wait. For NHS Google talking therapies and the name of the borough, you live in for info on self-referring. I have used both private and NHS and had good experience for both . One main difference is as you mentioned is that NHS will be time-limited usually no more than 12 weeks which for most is not enough also you get the therapist you are given- there is little choice.
I've just now started "proper" therapy even though I went to my health center in Oktober last year (although that wasn't because of waiting lists). I'm doing CBT for my social anxiety, but I've also met a different therapist who diagnosed me and met me maybe once a month or so (whilst also seeing my school counselor). What's really been helping me during all this time, however, was taking meds. I'm much much better to what I was six months ago thanks to them. Really important to keep in mind that different treatments work differently for everyone. Great vid!
I've also been on a waiting list for CBT since I was 17, i'm now 20
thank you for being open about your experience and im glad you feel comfortable with sharing your thoughts on youtube again. definitely loved this so i look forward to it being a series! it was very calming to listen to and it made me sit with myself and think about what was said. all the best
love the new series, thanks for sharing. Honestly, it's so discouraging when you have mental health problems but you can't afford therapy. As you said, I'm making it work for me for now, I stay informed and seek other forms of help through books, videos, articles, etc, but I can't wait until I can afford it cause I still have a lot of set backs and issues with my anxiety and hypochondria. it'll get better, I know.
I am an avid #MentalHealthAwareness advocate and performer, and I love this so much. I travel the country trying to bring that awareness on stages, in classrooms, hospitals, and on my UA-cam channel, so I get excited when I see other advocates. 💙❤
Lucy you inspire me so much. You are so intelligent, well-spoken, and eloquent. And I love your videos. I'm so glad you're on UA-cam.
Its so interesting seeing how the systems differ in other countries. I'm from Australia and have been to a psychologist both privately and publicly. Going private normally means you can get in pretty quickly but the sessions I had were over $200 (around 110 pounds) a pop and even with private health insurance (which i'm lucky my parents still pay for) it didn't make it that much cheaper. You often also still need to be referred from a doctor and get a mental health care plan which gives you a small discount. The second time I got therapy I went though my GP again, got another mental healthcare plan and went to this place called headspace which is specifically for young people. Most of my appointment cost was covered by medicare but I had to pay a $25 gap which wasn't covered. I was also very lucky I got in quickly because most of the time there is a very long waitlist.
Just thought I would give a different perspective from another country for any Aussie viewers out there that are thinking about therapy. I will say even though the cost is high it is worth it if you can afford it, it truely changed my life.
Idk what's with you but your voice is so soothing, and i've been binge watching your videos for 3 days straight. Amazing work.
a side note : you would be perfect as a therapist
After going through something similar, it is so helpful to know I am not the only one. This video was so awesome, thank you so much! You're amazing, keep on being awesome!
this is so helpful, I feel like a lot of people don't hear enough experiences about therapy and im so glad you're talking about this!
so so pleased you've started doing vids where you talk about important stuff again, have really really missed listening to you chat about important topics
As far as I'm concerned, therapy didn't help because it was endless and frustrating, that was not what I needed as I kinda knew where would my problems come from, I knew that talking about it didn't help, I wanted to SOLVE
And I found what I needed, which is hypnosis, hypno-therapy (that's how we call it in French) which is really based on SOLVING the problems, and in 6 sessions it was over. All my problems linked with femininity, parents, sex, relationships to others, self confidence... I would recommend this to everybody.
LOVE this series idea and just love YOU Lucy, you're such a huge inspiration and are just killin' it on youtube! Fave gal to watch and these kind of videos are a breath of fresh air xo
I’ve only just started watching your videos and it’s legit changed my life, idk why but you post ALL the things I didn’t know that I needed but now hat I do I can’t stop watching you😂💕
Love the vid. I don't know about the uk, but in serbia there are also free options for students. Usually, the people who volunteer in various organisations. For example, my therapist volunteers in the lgbtq+ organisation. And since I've started going, i felt so much better. I would recommend therapy to everyone.
There is a huge stigma around therapy in serbia, especially among the middle aged people, but I'm glad that many people from my generation have no problem with therapy
this video couldn't have come at a better time honestly.
I like how she does her makeup, how she tells stories, and what she does with her hands. :)) She makes stories more interesting, and reminds me of my aunt
loving this series already, so happy you're talking about your experiences with therapy as it is so important xx
I've been seeing a CBT therapist for my chronic fatigue / chronic pain / anxiety since November!! Her name is Lucy actually lmfao but I rlly don't know what I'd do without her bc I've basically had to rewire the way I think ?? I've taken a 6 week break to see if the techniques help but I rlly do feel so much better in myself !! I really would recommend therapy to everyone if I could xx
I literally love hearing you talk..please do a podcast!
The word you're looking for is Sliding Scale billing and it's very helpful! great video
Just to add some charities also offer free or pay what you can therapy so I would recommend researching in your local area. They do have waiting lists but they're often shorter than NHS waiting lists.
The whole offering a certain price you can afford is called a sliding scale fee usually I think. I know, at least in Canada, that a lot of community centres offer those kinds of services with a sliding scale fee as well as drop-in sessions. Also a lot of religious community type establishments offer it and its open to people of all faiths, but they're usually like spiritual counsellors, so you can talk about faith if you wanted to. Also if you're looking to save money and you think a group setting might be helpful group therapy is a really great option. :)
your voice is so soothing, i could listen to you talk about anything
I love this video and can’t wait for the rest of the series ! Just as I graduated high school at the beginning of this month I lost my best friend, and hearing about your struggle with that really helps me feel normal about losing friends even if it’s absolutely awful.
Oh Lucy I am so glad you put out this video now. I have my first session next week and I am so nervous. Wish me luck, I really need to get better.
around 2 years ago, i was suffering from extreme anxiety/suicidal thoughts and anxiety-dependent depression and it was so bad that it was ruining my life, relationships and ambitions. i struggled to make it into educational facilities (i'd go in late or not at all), meaning my grades suffered, and my friendships were futile and fake. i was prescribed CBT therapy which i found utterly ridiculous as it essentially meant i had to discuss all my trauma which was incredibly difficult and the therapist had this weird mindset that my mum couldn't be in the room with me (which in turn made me feel very unsafe and uncomfortable). so i threw the towel in with that pretty early on. when i was feeling extremely suicidal and self destructive (albeit not physically, but deliberately taking actions that would damage me such as arguing with parents etc), i was sent to a 'severe' institution where the assessor essentially told me i 'wasn't bad enough' for therapy at their establishment and actually laughed when i confessed that i had been considering suicide but wasn't gutsy enough to go through with it. after that, i was referred to a children's hospital where luckily i really clicked with the paediatrician who specialised in mental health and enjoyed around six months of discussion with her. however, again you are only permitted a certain period of treatment before you are forced to reapply and i mistakenly believed i did not need to reapply, so over the period i was without help, i became bulimic and lost around 2 stone in 6 weeks. at my high school, i met a counsellor weekly who i got on with but oddly i always felt that i was stalling for time/waffling if that makes sense at all. strangely i went to college in 2016 and became much better as my friendships were much improved and the friends i made were incredibly supportive. i still suffer panic attacks and extremely anxious periods but on the whole i would say my conditions have become far more manageable rather than overwhelming/all consuming as they originally were. just wanted to share my experience with everyone, ive seen many online presences portraying therapy as a saving service but there are many people for whom it a) doesn't work at all or b) makes conditions worse. hope this provides an insight for other commenters xx
This is super interesting, I personally don’t suffer from any sort of mental health issue, and so I find it really difficult to empathise with people who have anxiety. I find this video really informative and interesting so thanks Lucy. It gives a new perspective on life and although I’ve not always had my physical health, I’m so glad I have never had any mental health problem.
Previously I’ve thought this, and I’d love if someone could answer it.
Ever considered just not thinking about it?, just not thinking?, just thinking about nothing but your breathing, slowing your life right down to a speed you can control. Just stop caring what people think of you. Is that not just that simple? Surely anxiety is just all in your head and by the very definition you can just control your own thinking. “A really cute kitten” there, you can make your mind think about one thought like that so why can’t you just stop your mind thinking another?
This is just what I’ve previously thought and I’m now trying to better myself by trying to understand others
I know you likely wont see this but I'll comment incase anyone else sees it, it's simply not that easy. Anxiety is physical too, it can cause rapid heart rate, nausea, lightheadedness, chest pain, choking sensations etc and they are automatic reactions to thoughts you have. Once you've had the thought the reaction is automatic so while changing the thought is good, it wont stop these reactions. Tbh theres too much to explain so have a look at websites like Young Minds and NHS info on anxiety.
I loved this and i'm really excited for this series! I loved your video with Arden and maybe you could do something similar with her for this series? Love you! x
This is a fantastic idea. I remember reading the sleepover books and this feels like a great development of the idea. Thank you so much for being so genuine and earnest in this video, Lucy x
I absolutely adore the idea of more intimate feel videos that are talking about such important subjects! You look beaut! xx
This is really insightful and helpful!!! Thank you for talking about this so openly - and it's a great series concept, excited for more!!
I loved this video and am looking forward to what this series brings!
so so excited for this series!! I've always loved your more personal/issue related vids the most ;) Also just have to say, you look absolutely stunning in this video!
Good for you for getting the help you needed! I saw a therapist for a couple of years for anxiety and I stopped a few years back. I don't have the same kind of anxiety anymore (not that I don't still get anxious sometimes!) but sometimes I want to go back just for mental health fitness. I'm surprised to hear that you had to pay out of pocket! I though the NHS payed for that in England?
So excited for this series! Also I’ve thought about taking up therapy again since my anxiety got worse and this really gave me a push to finally book an appointment ❤️
I love this series.
The Sleepover Club! I loved those books when I was a kid!
yasss lucy yassss!!!!! These kind of deep talks was what I fell in love with your channel so I'm so happy you're ready to be open again :)
This is an absolutely wonderful series idea!!! Looking forward to more of this series and loved this video!
Yay loved this idea!!! Missed your videos like this, glad to have you back
amazing series! I'm v excited about it
i love this series idea!!
HERE FOR THIS. Hope you keep doing Sleepover Club episodes
omg Lucy you look so GOOD with blonde hair (off the topic)
I’m not feeling well at all rn, been sick a ton of times and bed bound but this is so lovely! I’m gonna love this series.
Love this series idea! I’d love to see dodie and Tessa on, and maybe zannah?
Could you talk more about the phobias and anxiety you mentioned? I find that often general anxiety is talked about a lot, but phobias are less spoken about so it would be really interesting to hear your thoughts and experiences. This was great!
My god, you are absolutely glowing. That hair looks amazing!
Absolutely great video and serie idea! I have done a few therapy sessions through my university and they have helped me a lot. I had to pay, but it was cheaper than going private and there was no need to go to my GP first. So for anyone in university, maybe check whether there are services available at your university!
ferrentes my university (Edinburgh) provide 3 free therapy sessions (not sure how good seeing as I haven’t accessed myself) to students so if you go here and are in need check it out
ferrentes Sadly getting mental health services at a lot of universities is not easy. For the most part unless you are a danger to yourself or others you have to wait a very long time to receive any kind of service even though it’s free. I got to an American university so maybe that’s why services are not great, but for people in the same situation I would recommend whatever private therapy your insurance covers instead of waiting forever
Doing the same thing right know!
Sarah Mowrey Most people in the UK don't have health insurance because the NHS is publicly funded. So either they wait for NHS services (or other third sector services) or cover the cost themselves.
Jessica Oldridge I tried to access the counselling sessions at uni (Edinburgh too!) took about a month until I heard back from them, then had an appointment with them during which they told me I would have to wait for another month before therapy could start. Kinda long when you're at your lowest! But at least it's not 11 months like the NHS I guess
Not finished this video yet, but just wanted to say that I'm looking forward to the rest of this series! These are why I subscribed to you as I'm not really interested in fashion etc.
pleaseeeee make a podcast like a
downloadable one 💕
Because there is a lot at the moment being promoted about mental health, it would be a good topic to explore in depth. You could, if they are willing (and are cheap enough), get a therapist in and explain what it is they do and remove any stigmas people may have about approac ing them. I may have suggested getting people to send their questions in beforehand... but you'll probably get charged for that lol
imarco75 awesome idea!!! I would be so interested in watching that!!!
Kati morton is an amazing therapist who makes UA-cam videos about all things mental health and therapy if you're interested in that kind of thing :)
i missed these kinda videos from you! so happy about this. thanks for talking about such an important topic