Talking treatments have been used for a long time both in helping people deal with the symptoms of their mental health problem and also in addressing the root cause of the problem itself.

Talking treatments are available through the NHS as well as in a number of voluntary sector organisations. Longer-term, more specialised approaches are also offered by SHSC within the Specialist Psychotherapy Service. There are many private therapists too, but it is advisable to check their training and qualifications.

Professional bodies such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) can provide a list of accredited therapists working in the local area. With all talking treatments it is important that there is a good relationship between the therapist and client.

There are many types of talking treatments and it is not always easy to know which type will work best. Also the various approaches overlap considerably in how they work and how users experience them. Sometimes there might be a waiting list for services although the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) team are working to ensure that the shorter-term talking treatments (primarily CBT) are available to all who need them.

Three of the most commonly available talking treatments are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling and psychotherapy.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

CBT can be helpful for anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder), phobias and some types of psychotic illnesses. It is usually short-term, typically 6-12 sessions and is usually available though the GP.

CBT can help people change how they think about themselves, the world and other people and how thoughts and feelings affect what they do. CBT focuses on the ‘here and now’ problems and difficulties. So instead of focusing on the causes of distress or symptoms in the past, it looks for ways to improve someone’s state of mind now.

Counselling

Counselling can also help with the above conditions but is more likely to look at feelings and the underlying cause of the distress. It can also be helpful for life events such as bereavement or relationship breakdown.

Most GP practices have a counsellor and a number of voluntary sector organisations also offer counselling either free or for a small charge. This counselling might be longer-term, typically upto 6-12 months and can help with more deep seated problems.

Psychotherapy

Psychotherapy overlaps with counselling, but is often seen as a deeper form of therapy with a lot of exploration of patterns of relationship and behaviour, and very often looking at early life experiences. It can be helpful for people who have experienced childhood trauma as well as personality disorder and some psychotic illnesses.