Who our service is for
NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies is suitable for people who are:
- Aged 17 and over - we particularly welcome those over the age of 65
- Registered with a GP in Berkshire
- Willing and able to engage in psychological treatment
- Consenting to the referral
- Needing certain adjustments to help them access therapy, we will support this wherever possible.
Priority groups (we aim to see these patients within 28 days wherever possible)
- Parents from pregnancy until the child is two years old
- British armed forces veterans
We can support those presenting with mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety, depression, or low mood associated with:
- Anxiety about your health
- Body dysmorphia
- Depression
- Generalised anxiety disorder (worrying too much)
- Insomnia and sleep difficulties
- Low mood or motivation
- Low self-esteem or confidence
- Medically unexplained symptoms
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Panic disorder
- Phobias, including agoraphobia
- Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Relationship difficulties due to depression
- Social anxiety disorder
- Stress
- Worry or low mood experienced as a result of living with a long-term physical health condition or other persistent physical symptoms
Seek support from your medical officer in the first instance. If you would still like to be seen by our service, you will need to book an appointment and have a review to discuss if you are suitable for the service.
If you have a discharge date within 6 months, then you can access the service as normal.
You may not be suitable for NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Post-traumatic stress related to multiple incidents resulting in severe mental health problems.
- Significant risk of self-harm
- Bipolar, schizophrenia, or symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations or delusions
- Severe depression or anxiety
- Hoarding
- Dementia
- Drug or alcohol misuse to a level that interferes with the ability to be treated in NHS Talking Therapies (our service cannot treat drug or alcohol misuse, but we can work with you while you are receiving treatment for this)
- Eating disorders
- Significant learning disability
- Skin picking disorder
- Hair pulling disorder
- Disabling complex mental health difficulties that requires support from additional services. You can access Talking Therapies if you have had significant mental health difficulties in the past. However, if you currently have suicidal thoughts or clear plans to act on this, we are not best placed to meet your needs.
Alternative services
If our service is not suitable for you, we will recommend alternative services wherever possible.