How To Access Free Therapy In 2019 If You’re Struggling With Your Mental Health

People in England can access a number of therapy treatments freely through the NHS. The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme provides evidence-based treatments for people with anxiety and depression and is accessed by more than 900,000 people each year. 

Data for the IAPT programme suggests 89% of people are seen within six weeks from referral, but some people are having to wait much longer. Adam Bradford, for example, lived with severe depression and had suicidal thoughts – he was told by his GP there would be a 12-18 month wait for counselling. He returned home with a prescription for antidepressants and promises of future support.

So what’s the best route to take?

How To Access Therapy

The most effective way to access free psychological therapies for common mental health problems in the UK is to discuss it with your GP, who will most likely refer you on to your local IAPT service. In some areas, it’s also possible to self-refer to IAPT.

The Therapy Options Available 

It’s important to stress that therapy isn’t for everyone – as some people find it doesn’t help. Others, however, reap the benefits. 

The type of therapy a person is offered will depend on the severity of their condition, as well as the cause of their symptoms – and it’s possible they’ll have to try more than one therapy to find the right one. 

Talking therapy is one of the most common forms and involves you meeting a trained therapist for a fixed number of sessions, explained Peters. “This can either be as a one to one, or it can be with a group of people,” she said. “Whilst this is the most common form, there are other options like art or drama therapy, and you should talk with your GP to see what options are open to you.”