Well, I've had the experience of getting diagnosed and starting medications but it was pretty much all done whilst I was inpatient in a psychiatric hospital.
In the community I had a CMHT and saw a psychiatrist there who would assess me.
Basically, you see a psychiatrist (or your GP who would probably refer you to a psychiatrist) and they ask you what problems you are experiencing. You talk about it in depth, they may ask you to fill out some questionnaires. This might go on for a few sessions, and then they will tell you what they think is wrong and how best to treat it, be it with medication or therapy or whatever. You have the right to refuse treatment as far as I am aware. Your psychiatrist will be the best person to talk through any concerns you have about what it's like to have a diagnosis, what medication means for you, what therapy involves etc.
You would most likely be referred to your local CMHT and assigned a team. You would have a keyworker (who could be a Community Psychiatric Nurse, Social Worker, Occupational Therapist or someone similar) who works closely with your psychiatrist. Your keyworker would visit you at home (or see you at the CMHT) and they would talk things through with you and find out how best to support you. They can also refer you for counselling and other occupational therapy groups.
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