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Here are a few of the things people often ask about therapy with ieso

Find out everything you need to know about our treatment, how to access it, the therapy platform and more.

People often ask us...

If you don't see your question here, get in touch with us via the contact details at the bottom of the page. We'll be glad to help.

How long before I feel better?

ieso doesn’t provide a pre-set number of sessions. We offer you the right number of sessions needed for your treatment. Practicing the CBT techniques you will learn between therapy sessions will help you feel the benefit more quickly. But, as a rough guide, we can typically address mental health issues like anxiety and depression in 4-12 sessions.

What is the platform like? Is it hard to use?

The platform is simple to navigate, so even if you don’t consider yourself an expert in technology, if you can surf the internet you’ll be okay. Our therapy is accessible via computer, tablet or smartphone. When you first log into the ieso platform there are helpful guides which you may wish to read before you start your therapy sessions, including “Online therapy guidelines”. Our Patient Services team are available to help if you have any issues with the platform, Monday-Friday, 9am-5:30pm.

What is CBT?

- It’s a very effective therapy technique. CBT ‘Cognitive Behavioural Therapy’ – is an effective psychological treatment for moderate and severe depression and one of the most effective treatments for anxiety and other common mental health issues. CBT helps you make sense of your problems by breaking them down into smaller parts, so it’s easier to notice the effect that some of your thoughts (cognitions) have on what you do (behaviours).

- It’s fast-acting. CBT tends to have impact in a much shorter amount of time than other talking therapies. And, if you’re motivated and can spare the time to complete tasks between sessions, it can often have an effect in as little as four sessions.

- And it’s very practical.
Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT is very practical and focuses on 'here and now' problems and difficulties. Instead of looking for the causes of the symptoms you’re feeling, it looks for ways of improving them. CBT involves learning practical skills for managing your difficulties that you then practice in real life, helping you cope better long after your therapy has ended.

What happens after treatment?

After your therapy sessions have ended, you’ll be able to log in to the ieso platform for 20 years after discharge, allowing you to access all of your sessions, messages and goals to remind yourself of the skills you’ve learnt. If you find yourself feeling worse again or experiencing new difficulties, you can go back and use this information. However, you are welcome to return to therapy if you are still struggling.*

*Provided you’re still registered with a GP in an area where we’re contracted by the NHS. 

What should I do in a health crisis?

Call Samaritans on 116 123 if you need to talk to someone.
Call 111 if you are experiencing a mental health crisis.
Call 999 or go to A&E if your life is at immediate risk.

How does ieso prepare you for the end of treatment?

Your therapist will help you prepare for ending therapy so that you feel confident to continue developing your CBT skills independently. Towards the end of therapy, you may be asked to lead the sessions more to help build your confidence. During your final session, you will create a plan that works for you and that will maintain your progress and enable you to cope with any setbacks.

Typed or video therapy - What's the difference?

ieso provides therapy in two forms: Typed therapy, and – in some areas –  video therapy. Both are one-to-one and tailored to suit your needs.

The main difference is that in video therapy, you chat via video, while typed therapy uses typing via live chat. Both are in secure online rooms, use exactly the same CBT techniques and involve weekly 30-60 minute sessions with your therapist.

Both have benefits and suit different people. If you’re self-referring and video is available in your area, external clinicians will assess you and decide whether typed or video will be more effective.

Please note we have limited spaces for video therapy. In video therapy, your sessions are retained as an audio file for you to refer to at a later date rather than in text. We do not retain the video.

If you’re being referred to us by your GP, your local IAPT service will assess you and recommend the best type for you.

Can I treat myself with self-help materials?

Self-help materials like videos or journaling can certainly help treat common mental health issues. However, lots of people find they feel better much quicker with ieso therapy because it’s: 

  • One-to-one: With the support and guidance of weekly sessions with your therapist it’s easier to stick to your treatment plan.
  • Personalised and targeted: Our therapy isn’t one-size-fits-all. We specifically tailor it to suit your needs.
  • Faster: Because it’s more targeted, it’ll usually take less time.
How does access through the NHS work?

In many areas of the UK our service is free for NHS patients. 

You can quickly check here if our therapy is available in your area.
  
If it is, then you simply have to visit your GP to ask them to refer you to us, or – in some areas, such as Surrey, Doncaster, Rotherham or West Kent – you’ll be able to save time and refer yourself directly.

How long do I have to wait for my first appointment?

Once you have activated your account, a therapist will be in touch to schedule the first appointment. Your first session is usually a maximum of 10 working days from sign-up (though in very busy periods it can take a little longer).

Why do I have to do questionnaires?

We totally understand that when you just want some help, completing questionnaires can be frustrating. We wish there was another effective way. Unfortunately, we can’t safely allocate you a therapist and start your treatment until all the assigned questionnaires are complete.

The questionnaires help your therapist understand you and your current state of mind. And they’ll help you to check your progress and flag up any problems. The NHS also requires everyone to complete these questionnaires. This is why, throughout your therapy, you'll be asked to complete the questionnaires before each session.

Where will I meet my therapist?

You will meet your therapist online at a time that suits you, so you can attend treatment sessions from wherever you want. This means you won't have to travel, take time off work or explain your situation to your employer.

I've signed up for therapy - what happens now?

The time it takes from sign-up to first session with a qualified therapist is a maximum of 10 days (although in very busy periods it can take a little longer).

As soon as you’ve been referred or have self-referred to us, you’ll be able to create and activate your ieso account and complete a self-assessment.

We’ll then check we have all the information we need to match you with a therapist, including:

  • Details of your GP
  • Your home address and a few other personal details that we collect on behalf of the NHS
  • Your mobile number
  • When you’re available to have sessions
  • Your completed self-assessment questionnaires

Once we’ve checked your information and are sure this is the right service for you, we’ll assign you a therapist. 

(If our service isn’t suitable for you for any reason, we’ll contact you to explain why and give you details of a local service that can help.)

Your therapist will contact you via the website’s messaging system to book your first appointment.

How will I receive messages from my therapist?

As we’re an online therapy service, the communication you have with your therapist is through written messages on our therapy website. 

They’ll send you a message through the therapy website to set up the first appointment rather than calling you. Don’t worry, whenever your therapist messages you or sets up an appointment, you’ll receive a notification email. 

Using the email, login to the platform to view the message or appointment. And, if you’re not receiving notifications, check your spam folder.

When can I schedule my appointment?

You can schedule an appointment around your availability, including early in the morning, during the evening and at the weekend.

Can I attend sessions from abroad?

We have a duty of care to operate within UK clinical safety standards/boundaries and it is not possible to ensure access to support and emergency services outside the UK should a situation arise where these are needed. For this reason we ask that therapy is only accessed from within the UK.

Contact us

info@iesohealth.com
Monday-Friday, 9am-5:30pm

For general enquiries, technical or administrative support, please call our freephone number and speak to a member of our Patient Services Team who are on hand to make your experience as smooth as possible.

Please note, this phone line is managed by an administrative team who are not clinically trained.


In a health emergency:
Call 111 - if you are experiencing mental health crisis and urgently require medical help or advice, but it is not a life threatening situation
Call 999 - if you or anyone else is in immediate danger or harm
Call 116 123 - to speak to the Samaritans 24 hours a day  

For corporate enquiries only;
Please contact us here

The Jeffreys Building, Cowley Road
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK, CB4 0DS

Registered in England and Wales
no. 4063351  |  VAT no. 247968939

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