What happens after I sign up

• Within 30 minutes of completing our online referral form, you will receive an email inviting you to create your SilverCloud Health account
• Registering takes around 10-15 minutes. Once completed, you'll have instant access to a self-management toolkit. This is a starter therapy programme with sections covering: wellbeing, managing unhelpful thoughts, planning and communication.
• You'll be invited to a welcome phone call with your ongoing therapist within a few days (if this treatment is suitable for you at the moment)
• After this call, your therapist will change your SilverCloud programme to one most suited to treat your current difficulties.

Contacting my supporter

After you’ve registered with SilverCloud, we’ll put you in touch with your individual supporter. This is one of our therapists who can guide you through your programme. 

The course may take anywhere between 6-12 weeks. During this time you’ll have reviews by your supporter approximately every two weeks, to monitor your progress. We have the option for you to have all these reviews through online messaging or our more traditional approach where we schedule appointments which take place by phone call with your supporter.

Your supporter will give you comments and suggestions about what might be helpful for you to work on. You can also leave comments in the app for your supporter to pick up at your next review.

You don’t need to login at the same time as your therapist if you're having an online-only review. But, the next time you log on, you’ll be asked to complete questionnaires that will help your supporter assess your current mood. 

After your final review, you’ll continue to have access to SilverCloud for a further nine months should you need a recap on the tools and techniques you have learned. 

When online therapy isn't suitable

Urgent treatment

Online therapy cannot offer the level of support you may need if you're feeling unable to cope or keep yourself safe.

Visit our 'I need help now' page for information on urgent help for your mental health (opens in new browser tab)

Significant or complex difficulties

If you would benefit from further support than we can offer, we may refer you to other services from Berkshire Healthcare, or other teams from different hospitals, care centres or community services.

We’ll talk to you about these options and guide you on how this support can help you.

Recovering from a traumatic experience 

Online therapy isn't suitable if your main reason for seeking help is because you experienced a distressing event where you, or someone else’s, life was in danger. If this is the case, book a wellbeing assessment so we can help you get the right treatment and support.  

Book a wellbeing assessment with NHS Talking Therapies (opens in new browser tab) 

Find out more 

Read more of our Frequently Asked Questions about accessing NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies (opens in new browser tab)

Watch: Introducing SilverCloud online programmes

SilverCloud Health - At a Glance (Coached) from SilverCloud Health on Vimeo.

What is SilverCloud?

SilverCloud is an online programme based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques. Your therapist will help you understand and implement what you learn on the programme to build a toolkit of skills you can use to improve and maintain your mood and wellbeing. You will work through the modules in your own time, at your own pace, and your therapist will regularly review your progress on the programme.

Who will I be working with?

You will be working with a therapist called a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP). This includes qualified therapists and trainees working towards their postgraduate certificate.

Where do the sessions take place?

The PWP who is supporting you will log in to the programme, review what content you have been engaging with, read through any activities you have completed, tools you have used or comments you have made, and leave you a message providing you with some feedback and guidance. They may make recommendations or explain a tool or technique to you in more detail. You do not need to be logged in at the same time as your PWP, nor do you need to be available for an appointment. This offers a flexible way of working.

How many online review sessions will I have?

You will typically have six sessions in total, though this can vary slightly depending on need.

How often will the sessions be?

Sessions typically take place once every two weeks, but this can vary e.g. if your therapist has annual leave, or you are going on holiday. You should never have a gap of more than four weeks between your sessions.

What should I do if I need more time before my next online review?

There may be occasions when you need a bit more time before your progress on the programme is reviewed again e.g. if you are going on holiday. If you need longer between two reviews, you can let your therapist know by leaving a message on the SilverCloud programme or by emailing them. You can also inform our Admin Team, who will pass on a message to your therapist, by calling them on 0300 365 2000 (option 2).

Can I speak to someone instead?

If at any time during treatment you feel you would prefer to have telephone reviews with your therapist, you can request this (in the same ways described above).

What should I do if I’m not finding it helpful?

If you feel your treatment is not working, for whatever reason, the best thing to do is let your therapist know as we would prefer you tell us rather than disengaging from treatment and not getting the support you need. They can explore your concerns with you and consider other options of support. We offer a range of different therapy formats, and we want to ensure we are supporting you in the best way possible, using the most appropriate form of support.

I’m already registered, how can I get access? 

Once you have registered with us and set up your SilverCloud account, you can access your account by downloading the SilverCloud Health app and entering your login details. 

Visit Google Play Visit the Apple App Store 

You can also access your account on our online platform.

Visit our SilverCloud online platform

I've started treatment but I'm not sure it's for me

Speak or message your therapist about your concerns. If you or your therapist think that a different treatment option would be better for you, then we can arrange this for you. 

I need help now - is this service for me?

If you feel unable to keep yourself or others safe and are struggling to cope, you may need urgent mental health treatment or support. In this case SliverCloud is not suitable for your needs. 

Go to our I need help now page for more information (opens in new browser tab)

We have a number of programmes available that address different difficulties from low mood, worry and stress to managing your wellbeing around physical health needs.

Your supporter will link you with the programme that best suits your current mental health and wellbeing needs. 

• Recognise the signs and symptoms of your condition
• Learn practical ways to manage negative or unhelpful thoughts, behaviour and how you are feeling 
• Improve mood and motivation

Here are some examples of the conditions we currently have programmes available to treat:

Low mood, worry and stress

• Anxiety and worry
• Depression
• Panic
• Phobias
• Stress

Physical health conditions 

• Chronic pain
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Lung conditions

Wellbeing

Sleep

How to improve sleep association, good sleep habits, managing thoughts and worries, and keeping a healthy sleep cycle.

Resilience

Build resilience, improve self-compassion, improve connections with others, your body and mind.  

Perinatal wellbeing

Strategies to look after your own wellbeing as you adjust to becoming a new parent.

Here is just some of the positive feedback we've received from our patients:

• "I have found the programme has completely exceeded my expectations and has really helped me reflect in ways I would never have done without it"

• "I was well supported by my therapist and I found the SilverCloud topics suggested very useful"

• "The online course is helping me with self reflection about some quite old issues and some much newer ones. For me - I don't feel the need to speak to anyone and so Silver Cloud is ideal in helping me to feel better. Also I can access the therapy when I have the time - rather than needing to make appointments. ( I work full time). I am benefiting from the support and will continue on although the therapist has signed me off."​

• "My experience has been good, the therapy techniques and modules have helped me to understand a bit more about myself. I'm learning why I feel the way that I do and coping much better than I did before I started with SilverCloud."​

• "I am feeling much better now. I know how depressed and down I was before using silver cloud. CBT totally changed my life. Thanks. "

• "An online platform is a wonderful way to slowly ease into receiving help. It is less intimidating than talking to someone in person or over the phone (according to me personally)"

• "I self-referred to SilverCloud mainly as Talking Therapies with someone in person daunted me a lot. I have found it useful to do things in my own time and to sit on my own and reflect on my answers and what matters to me. I feel much better and in control of my emotions and what parts of my life I need working on ."

• "I admit I was initially sceptical about an online course but I've been amazed at how insightful and helpful it's been. I found it incredibly helpful. Everything was introduced at the right pace - so it wasn't too overwhelming or confronting."​

• "Really useful service and I really enjoyed it being online as it was easier than making face to face appointments but although it wasn’t face to face I still felt supported and listened to."​

SilverCloud Telephone FAQs

What is SilverCloud?

SilverCloud is an online programme based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques. Your therapist will help you understand and implement what you learn on the programme to build a toolkit of skills you can use to improve and maintain your mood and wellbeing. You will work through the modules in your own time, at your own pace, and your therapist will regularly review your progress with you.

Who will I be working with?

You will be working with a therapist called a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP). This includes qualified therapists and trainees working towards their postgraduate certificate.

Where do the sessions take place?

Your sessions will take place over the phone, though you can request for these to take place via video if you would prefer.

How long will my sessions be and how many will I have?

Sessions will typically be 30 minutes long, but adjustments can be made if needed. You will have up to six sessions in total, though this can vary slightly depending on need.

How often will the sessions be?

Sessions typically take place once every two weeks, but this can vary e.g. if your therapist has annual leave, or you are going on holiday. You should never have a gap of more than four weeks between your sessions.

Can I have online reviews instead?

If at any time during treatment you feel you would prefer to have online reviews, you can request this. Online reviews are more flexible as you do not need to be available for an appointment and your therapist will log in and review your progress on the programme.

What should I do if I can’t attend a session?

You should let your therapist know as soon as possible if you are going to be unable to attend a session, and ideally at least more than 48 hours before. Repeated short-notice cancellations or non-attendance of sessions without prior warning could result in you being discharged. You can contact your therapist by emailing them. You can also inform our Admin Team, who will pass on a message to your therapist, by calling them on 0300 365 2000 (option 2).

What should I do if I’m not finding it helpful?

If you feel your treatment is not working, for whatever reason, the best thing to do is let your therapist know as we would prefer you tell us rather than disengaging from treatment and not getting the support you need. They can explore your concerns with you and consider other options of support. We offer a range of different therapy formats, and we want to ensure we are supporting you in the best way possible, using the most appropriate form of support.