NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression
NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression
NHS Talking Therapies services provide psychological interventions for adults in England who are struggling with anxiety disorders and/or depression. The services offer a range of NICE recommended talking therapies that are tailored to each individual’s needs. These therapies can be delivered face-to-face, remotely, individually or in groups and are free for patients to access.
Who are NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services for?
NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services provide treatment for adults with the following common mental health problems:
- agoraphobia
- body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
- depression
- generalised anxiety disorder
- health anxiety (hypochondriasis)
- mixed depression and anxiety (the term for sub-syndromal depression and anxiety, rather than both depression and anxiety)
- obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- panic disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- social anxiety disorder
- specific phobias (such as heights, flying, spiders etc.)
Therapies can also be helpful where these difficulties are linked to a long-term physical health condition, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
In addition to evidence-based talking therapies for the mental health problems listed above, NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services also provide employment advice in many areas of England, to support people to reach their employment goals.
How can people access NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services?
Details of local NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services are available on the nhs.uk website: Find an NHS psychological therapies service.
People can refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services or be referred by a healthcare professional. Services can be accessed through:
- self-referral into every service (find an NHS psychological therapies service – www.nhs.uk)
- referral by a community NHS worker or a voluntary organisation
- referral by a GP or other primary care professional
- referral by an NHS professional in a hospital or specialised clinic (including both mental health and physical health secondary care services)