I have been waiting since January for an appointment. I was told the waiting list was 6 months but when I phoned again in July to find out when my appointment was due, they said it could be up to a YEAR to get seen!!! It's ridiculous, and at £30 per session I can't afford to go private either. :( It's about time mental health was taken more seriously. I decided to take control of the situation myself by reading lots of self-help books and doing the exercises. So far it is working, but I'm too scared to try to come off the Seroxat until I've been seen by a counsellor. (My problem is anxiety attacks and agoraphobia, which can lead to depression too. I've had it on/off for about 7 years, but the relapse this time was due to the break up with my boyfriend).
Sorry to rant. I just wanted you to know that you're not alone in your situation. I'm glad you got your appointment and that the counselling was productive. I went to counselling about 5 years ago (I think I only went 4 times) and I did not find it useful, but I think that's due to the woman I got. She was very unresponsive to anything I said, and at the time I was looking for a quick fix. Now I know it doesn't work like that.
I, too, put WAY too much pressure on myself. It's a rare art, having a 'who gives a fuck' attitude and still achieving something in life. I can only assume that like any other illnesses, we will eventually be cured.

Till then: chin up, doll! *hugs*