NHS Talking Therapies: What Is Talking Therapies, How Does it Work and How Do I Access Free Support?

If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, stress or other common mental health difficulties, knowing where to find support can feel overwhelming.

NHS Talking Therapies provide free, evidence-based psychological support to help people manage common mental health difficulties and develop practical skills to improve their wellbeing.

Many people do not realise that they may be able to access therapy without seeing their GP first. In some areas, NHS Talking Therapies services allow people to self-refer directly, making it easier to access support when they need it.

Mindler is an NHS Talking Therapies provider offering free online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for eligible NHS patients. We have treated over 450,000 patients to date through secure online therapy. People can access one-to-one support with a qualified therapist from wherever they feel comfortable.

What is NHS Talking Therapies?

NHS Talking Therapies is an NHS service that provides evidence-based psychological treatments for people experiencing common mental health difficulties.

They were previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services and are designed to help people understand their thoughts, feelings and behaviours, while learning practical strategies to manage their mental health.

Treatments are delivered by trained mental health professionals and are based on therapies that research has shown can help people recover from common mental health problems.

The aim is not simply to talk about problems. Talking Therapies help you build skills and techniques that you can continue using in everyday life.

What can NHS Talking Therapies help with?

NHS Talking Therapies can support people experiencing a range of common mental health difficulties, including:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Stress
• Panic attacks
• Social anxiety
• Health  anxiety
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Specific phobias
• Persistent worry
• Low mood

You do not always need a formal diagnosis before asking for support. If your mental health is affecting your everyday life, relationships, work or ability to enjoy activities, NHS Talking Therapies may be able to help.

What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most commonly used treatments available through NHS Talking Therapies for mental health symptoms.

CBT focuses on understanding the connection between your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Working with a qualified therapist, you can identify patterns that may be keeping you stuck and learn practical strategies and techniques to help you respond differently. And because CBT is skills-based, it means the tools you learn during therapy can continue supporting your mental health even after treatment has finished.

Is NHS Talking Therapies free?

Yes. NHS Talking Therapies is free for eligible people living in England. It is provided free through the NHS either by a referral from where you are registered with your GP, or in some areas, via self-referral without needing to see your GP.

There is no requirement for private health insurance, or to subscribe and pay for sessions.

Mindler provides free online CBT through the NHS for eligible patients in areas where the service is commissioned. Patients can access human-led therapist-delivered CBT through a few options: typed (text-based sessions), one-to-one video sessions, or EMDR specialist sessions for treatment of PTSD, all through a secure online platform.

Can I self-refer for free NHS Talking Therapies?

In many areas, yes.

In some areas you can refer yourself online through Mindler’s secure platform (called Wysa). This means you can get matched with a qualified therapist quickly, and even have your forest session within days of referral depending on your need.

The process of self-referral includes:

1. Completing an online referral form

2. Sharing information about how you are feeling, and what you are experiencing

3. Having an assessment with a mental health professional

4. Agreeing the most suitable treatment option followed by confirming your first appointment

Mindler supports self-referral in some areas across the UK, allowing eligible patients to begin their therapy journey online very quickly.

What is Online Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)?

Online CBT allows people to access evidence-based therapy digitally rather than attending appointments in person. This has a variety of benefits, removing some of the barriers that can prevent people from accessing support, including: 

• No need to travel to appointments - great for busy lifestyles, unable to travel with a long term condition, struggles with social anxiety, or meeting face-to-face.
• Finding a suitable time for an appointment around work or other commitments.
• Waiting for a face-to-face appointment that can sometimes take longer.

With Mindler, patients receive one-to-one therapist-delivered typed or video CBT through a secure online platform. Therapy takes place through text-based written conversations with a qualified therapist, allowing people to reflect, share their experiences and practise CBT techniques at a pace that works for them.

Mindler’s online CBT appointments are available flexibly, with appointments offered seven days a week in its typed therapy service.

How does online CBT with Mindler work?

Your journey usually follows these steps:

1. Check your eligibility

First you will need to answer a few questions to see whether free NHS online CBT is suitable for you and available in your area. Through our online platform, this usually takes less than 5 minutes, or this can be done through your GP who can make a referral for you.

2. Get matched with a therapist

Following your online referral form you’ll be matched with a qualified therapist who will get in touch to arrange a suitable time for your first appointment. They will be there to support you throughout your treatment.

3. Once you start your CBT sessions

You’ll work with your therapist to understand your difficulties, set goals and learn practical CBT techniques. Your therapist will ask you questions and support you with useful learning to put into practice. 

4. Practise new skills

In between sessions, there is usually a bit of homework to help you put what you’re learning into your everyday life. This can sometimes feel like a little extra work, but it is important to stick with it to support your recovery journey. Your therapist is available in between your booked sessions to help answer any questions, or tailor any of your learnings along the way.

5. Continue building confidence

Your therapist will help you monitor your progress and develop strategies to support your recovery.

Is online CBT effective?

Research shows that digitally delivered CBT can be an effective treatment option for many people experiencing common mental health difficulties such as anxiety, stress, low mood, depression and more.

For some people, online therapy can make it easier to engage with treatment because support is available in an environment where they feel comfortable - removing any uncomfortable barriers.

The best type of therapy depends on your individual needs, which is why an assessment is an important part of the process.

When should I seek support?

Many people delay asking for help because they wonder whether their difficulties are “serious enough”. The ease of Talking Therapies removes any worries about this, and taking that first step will feel like a huge relief.

You may benefit from NHS Talking Therapies if:

• Anxiety is affecting your everyday life
• You feel low or unable to enjoy things you normally do
• You feel overwhelmed and like your cup is overflowing
• Stress feels difficult to manage
• You are avoiding situations because of fear or worry
• Your mental health is affecting relationships, work or study

Getting support earlier can help you develop strategies to manage symptoms before they become more difficult to cope with.

Take the first step towards better mental health

Taking the first step can feel difficult, but support is available, and you should feel proud that you have take that first step.

As an NHS Talking Therapies provider, Mindler has helped over 145,000 people access free online CBT with qualified therapists, without needing to attend appointments in person.