Frequently Asked Questions

NHS Talking Therapies can support a wide range of mental health challenges, including anxiety, depression, stress, low mood, PTSD, OCD, panic attacks, phobias, and social anxiety.

You can self-refer online here or ask your GP or another professional to refer you. For more details, see our How to Refer page.

A variety of treatments are available, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Guided Self-Help, and Counselling for Depression. You can read more on types of treatment here.

Low-intensity treatment usually lasts 4–6 sessions, while high-intensity treatment may last 12–16 sessions. The exact number of sessions will be agreed with your therapist and reviewed regularly.

Therapy can be delivered one-to-one (in person, by video, or by phone) or in groups.

As part of our commitment to providing excellent care and maintaining high professional standards, trainee therapists are involved in our clinical work. Trainee therapists may observe (shadow) qualified clinicians or sit in on appointments to support their professional development and the ongoing quality of the service. This plays an important role in developing skilled, safe, and effective practitioners. All trainee therapists are either employed by the service or undertaking a formal training placement and are bound by the same confidentiality, data protection, and professional standards as our qualified staff. If you do not wish a trainee therapist to be present during your appointment, you may opt out at any time by informing your therapist.

For phone or video sessions, it’s important to be in a quiet, private, and confidential space. Ensure your device has a reliable signal. Appointments cannot be taken while driving or operating heavy machinery. If your home has poor signal, alternative arrangements can be made.

Yes. Your information is kept confidential in line with data protection laws. The only exceptions are if there is a risk of harm to yourself or others, in which case your therapist will discuss this with you. Read more on our Confidentiality page.

If an appointment is missed without notice, the service will try to reschedule. If you miss two appointments, either through cancelling or not attending, your referral may be closed. Read more on attendance and safety.

NHS Talking Therapies does not provide medication or formal diagnoses. If your needs are better met by another service, your therapist will discuss this with you and guide next steps.

You will complete questionnaires at the start and during therapy to track symptoms and progress. Therapists regularly check in with you to ensure treatment is effective.

Yes. NHS Talking Therapies are free for UK residents.

This can be agreed with your therapist on a case-by-case basis, depending on the type of therapy.

If you need an interpreter, please let us know when you self-refer or when you are contacted to book your appointment.

Some therapies include exercises to complete between sessions, often called “home practice.” These activities are an important part of self-guided therapy and help reinforce what you learn during sessions. Evidence shows that patients who engage with home practice often make progress more quickly and benefit more from therapy. Your therapist will discuss any barriers you might have and work with you to overcome hesitations, so you feel confident completing these exercises.

You can share your preference when booking. While the service cannot guarantee a particular therapist, every effort will be made to accommodate your needs.

Please contact our admin team on 01752 435419 or [email protected] who can direct your query to the right person.

With your consent, we can liaise with professionals involved in your care. Your therapist will discuss what you’d like shared.

We can only share information about a patient with their consent, unless there is a safeguarding risk.

We provide confidential support to young people. If there is a risk to your safety or wellbeing, we may need to share information with parents or safeguarding professionals, but this will always be discussed with you first where possible.

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. For ongoing support, the local service is PDAS (provided by Sanctuary Housing). Livewell Southwest also has IDVAs (Independent Domestic Violence Advisors) who can provide guidance and support. Your therapist can help signpost you to these specialist services.

Initial assessments usually take 45–60 minutes and can be by phone or video. If attending in person, click here for information on finding the building.

You have the right to access the personal information NHS Talking Therapies holds about you. To request your data, please contact our admin team at 01752 435419 or [email protected]. They will guide you through the process, which includes completing a Subject Access Request (SAR) form. Requests are handled in line with data protection laws, and you should usually receive a response within one month.