Talking therapies are a type of psychological treatment for people experiencing mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression.
There are lots of different types of talking therapy, but they all involve working with a trained NHS therapist.
This may be one-to-one, in a group, online, over the phone, with your family, or with your partner. The therapist helps you understand and cope with the problems you’re having.
For some problems and conditions, one type of talking therapy may be better than another. Different talking therapies also suit different people. After an initial assessment, the therapist will recommend a therapy for you.
You can get some talking therapies, like counselling for depression and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), on the NHS.
You do not need to have a diagnosed mental health problem to refer yourself to an NHS talking therapies service.
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.
A talking therapies service may be able to help you if you are:
Other things that talking therapies can help with include:
Talking therapies can also help if you have mental health problems resulting from other conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, long-term pain or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP.
You can find details of your local Talking Therapies and how to contact them below. You can also find local talking therapy services on the Talking Therapy finder site.
| Location | Contact details |
|---|---|
|
Barking and Dagenham |
Call Talking Therapies on 0300 300 1554 (option 3) or visit talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk. |
|
City and Hackney |
Call Talk Changes on 020 7683 4278 or visit https://cityandhackneytalkingtherapies.homerton.nhs.uk/ |
|
Havering |
Call Talking Therapies on 0300 300 1554 (option 2) or visit talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk. |
|
Newham |
Call Talking Therapies on 020 8175 1770 or visit newhamtalkingtherapies.nhs.uk. |
|
Redbridge |
Call Talking Therapies on 0300 300 1554 (option 1) or visit talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk. |
|
Tower Hamlets |
Call Talking Therapies on 020 8175 1770 or visit towerhamletstalkingtherapies.nhs.uk. |
|
Waltham Forest |
Call Talking Therapies on 0300 300 1554 (option 4) or visit talkingtherapies.nelft.nhs.uk. |
NHS mental health crisis lines are open 24/7. Find your local helpline.
Find out about GP practices and all the ways they can help and support you.
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