People across west Kent now have easier access to free NHS talking therapies.

The number of organisations in the NHS West Kent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area which provide talking therapies such as counseling and psychotherapy has doubled, and patients can also refer themselves.

Those in Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells can access these.

Talking therapies, also known as psychological therapies, help people cope with:

• stress
• anxiety
• depression
• emotional problems
• relationship problems
• troublesome habits like OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• phobias
• other problems, such as hearing voices and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• anger management
• bereavement.

They can also help people cope with life changes which occur when they have a long term illness.

Dr David Chesover, Lead GP for Mental Health at NHS West Kent CCG, said: "Talking therapies are available free on the NHS for people who meet the eligibility criteria. You can call direct to book an assessment or your GP can refer you.

“Talking therapies really do help people to cope with all sorts of problems and in some cases enable patients to avoid medication" - Dr David Chesover

“Treatment can include self-help booklets, online sessions, life skills workshops, counselling, and employment-related support and therapy.

“The person carrying out the treatment is usually called a counsellor or therapist. They don’t usually offer advice, instead they help people gain insight into their own issues, feelings and behaviour.

“Talking therapies really do help people to cope with all sorts of problems and in some cases enable patients to avoid medication."

Most psychological therapies are one-to-one sessions or in groups. Patients may be offered six or more treatment sessions, depending on their needs.

Organisations providing talking therapies in Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells areas include:

Healthy Mind IAPT service in West Kent -

www.healthymindwk.org.uk

Insight Healthcare Talking Therapies - Kent@insighthealthcare.org

KCA - kca.westkent@nhs.net

Kent and Medway Partnership NHS Trust - www.kmpt.nhs.uk/pcpts

Moving Minds/Healthshare - admin@moving-minds.org

Psychology On Line - www.psychologyonline.co.uk

Talking Matters Kent - kenttm@mentalhealthmatters.co.uk

Dr Chesover added: “There are many different types of therapy and the initial assessment will help to determine which type is most suitable for the person needing talking therapies.”

You can find out about the different types of therapy on the Mind website –

www.mind.org.uk