NHS Talking Therapies
NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire is a free service provided by Vita Health Group.
Whether you’re depressed, anxious or dealing with any one of a wide range of common psychological and emotional issues, NHS Talking Therapies service is available to help.
Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help if you’re struggling with things like feelings of depression, excessive worry, social anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS.
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP, or a GP or health professional can refer you.
Help is available in person, by video, over the phone or as an online course.
What this service can offer
This service is for anyone aged 16 and over who is registered with a GP in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire. You do not have to see your GP to be referred and can refer yourself.
NHS Talking Therapies offers evidenced based treatments for a range of common mental health problems, including:
- depression
- excessive worry and difficulties controlling worry
- social anxiety
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- phobias
- panic attacks
- health anxiety (worry about having a serious health problem)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
- long-term physical health conditions within the context of depression and anxiety.
How the service works
After registering with the service, you will first have a telephone assessment. This appointment is used to understand the nature of your difficulties and whether NHS Talking Therapies are appropriate for meeting your needs.
If the service is suitable, different treatment options will be discussed with you. In the first instance, you will typically be offered the least intrusive treatment that is appropriate for your needs. Often, this will mean accessing “low intensity treatment” which is a short, 4-6 week therapy that will be reasonable and proportionate to the problem. If this treatment is not sufficient, then you may be offered something more intensive, termed “high intensity” treatment, which averages 8 sessions with a trained psychotherapist.
NHS Talking Therapies offers a range of group, online and 1:1 therapies at both low and high intensity.
Please be aware that there are waiting lists for the treatments offered.
Alongside psychological therapy, NHS Talking Therapies can also offer a range of other interventions to complement your treatment, including:
- employment Support for those who want to find work, remain in work or return to work
- health and Wellbeing Coaches to support with diet and exercise
- signposting/referral to other relevant services in the local area.