How we help / Initial Treatment Options

Initial Treatment Options

At Talking Therapies Southwark, we offer a variety of evidence-based treatments options:

  • Specialist groups and workshops covering a range of topics related to psychological wellbeing, including those which focus on learning how to connect with yourself to improve wellbeing, coping with bereavement, mindfulness, learning how to be more self-compassionate, supporting LGBTQ wellbeing, student wellbeing, Race, Identity & Me, overcoming depression, and improving wellbeing for mums. Some of these groups take place online via video link and others take place in person, face-to-face. The groups and workshops are interactive and can be a really helpful way to access support and learn ways to help you cope. Please discuss the different group options available during your initial assessment appointment if you are curious to find out more.
  • Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) guided self-help – a course of 4-6 sessions for patients with clear presentations of mild to moderate depression, panic, generalised anxiety or stress.
  • Your Wellbeing Videos – a series of pre-recorded videos developed by TTS therapists, which can be accessed via the TTS website and watched in your own time. Topics include sleep, physical activity, healthy relationships, and anger. Please click here to access the Your Wellbeing Videos.
  • Bibliotherapy – self-study using books on prescription or other suitable printed or online resources.
  • Evidence-based computerised CBT with e-mail/telephone support from a therapist.

Perinatal women are prioritised for treatment and are offered a NICE-recommended intervention within one month of assessment.

People with long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) can access all of the interventions we offer. We also offer a range of tailored interventions specifically for people with long-term physical health conditions, including:

  • Guided self-help for specific LTCs (such as diabetes, COPD) with regular support from a therapist.
  • Silvercoud – an online CBT programme to help people learn how to cope with life alongside their LTC.
  • Specialist CBT interventions to promote coping with/managing a LTC.
  • Couple-based interventions that focus on improving communication and decision making around the health problem, promoting health behaviour changes and enhancing mutual support.
  • Supportive and educational workshops which provide a supportive environment to learn tools to help you cope with the impact of having a long-term condition.

Waiting times

People can usually access one of the above interventions within 1-6 weeks of their assessment appointment.

Progress is monitored and patients who do not improve following these interventions and require further treatment can be stepped up to a higher intensity intervention. TTS offers the full range of IAPT-recommended interventions: cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, interpersonal therapy (IPT), dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT), couple therapy for depression, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

We also offer bereavement counselling for patients who meet the criteria for prolonged grief disorder and who would like support specifically around their bereavement.

Friendly female therapist, talking.
Waiting times

People can usually access treatment within 1-6 weeks of their assessment appointment.

However, some treatment options may involve a much longer waiting time. Progress is monitored and patients who do not improve following these interventions and require further treatment can be stepped up to a higher intensity intervention. TTS offers the full range of NICE-recommended psychological therapies for depression and anxiety: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, interpersonal therapy (IPT), dynamic interpersonal therapy (DIT), couple therapy for depression (BCT), and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR).

We also offer bereavement counselling for patients who meet the criteria for prolonged grief disorder and who would like support specifically around their bereavement.