Talking Therapies

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Support is available if you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis or emergency, no matter what you're going through.

Find out where to get urgent help for mental health

What talking therapies can help with

Talking therapies can help with many different problems.

You can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression for many different conditions, including:

• difficult feelings, such as low mood and worry
• depression, including postnatal depression
• anxiety, including social anxiety and panic disorder
• phobias
• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
• coping with a long-term health condition, such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or chronic pain

Talking therapies can also help with other mental health conditions. To get talking therapies for these conditions, you'll usually need a GP to refer you. These conditions include:

• eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia
• bipolar disorder
• personality disorders
• psychosis
• drug and alcohol problems

How to get talking therapies

There are many different ways to get talking therapies. You do not need to have a diagnosed mental health condition.

Refer yourself for talking therapies on the NHS

For many mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, you can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies without speaking to a GP.

To use this service, you need to be registered with a GP and must be aged 18 or over (or 16 or over in some areas).

Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression

If you're under 18, find out more about getting mental health support for children and young people.

When to speak to a GP

Speak to a GP if you:

• are not sure about referring yourself for talking therapies - they can offer advice and help you find out what's available in your area
• have, or think you might have, an eating disorder, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, psychosis or a drug or alcohol problem - they can refer you to a suitable specialist for treatment

Other ways to get talking therapies

Talking therapies are sometimes available for free through your employer, university or local charities.

You may also choose to pay for a talking therapy privately, rather than having it on the NHS.

Before choosing a private therapist, make sure they're registered with a professional organisation that's been accredited by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA).

Find out more about how to find therapy or counselling on the Mind website

Self help for mental health

• Guides, tools and activities to support and improve mental health
• Mental wellbeing tips (Every Mind Matters)

Types of talking therapy on the NHS

There are different types of talking therapy, but they all include talking to a trained professional about your thoughts, feelings and behaviours.

Talking therapies can also be done in different ways, such as in-person, through a video or phone call, or an online course. You may be offered the choice of group sessions or one-to-one.

The type of talking therapy you can get on the NHS get depends on what you need it for and what's available in your area.

Other types of talking therapy

You may be able to get other types of talking therapies for specific mental health problems on the NHS, such as dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) for personality disorders.

Speak to your GP to find out what's available in your area.

More information

• Types of talking therapy (Mind)

Find out more

• Mental health treatments

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