Talking Therapies on the NHS
Many people find that they suffer to some degree from issues such as depression, low mood, anxiety, panic attacks, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), social or other phobias, agoraphobia or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Help is available: North Kent Mind have been specially approved by the NHS to offer you help to overcome these issues. We know that giving help to people at the earliest opportunity enables many to overcome these issues, and get some balance back into their life.
Can anybody use these Services?
Talking Therapies are funded by the NHS for Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley, and Medway. People using these services should live in this area, or have a GP based in this area, and be 17 years of age or over. The service can also be used by people who live elsewhere in Kent, and they will have similar services in their own area.
How do I access this service for Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley?
We welcome self-referrals or you can ask your GP to put in a referral on your behalf.
Contact us or email: firstcontact@northkentmind.co.uk
How do I access this service for Medway?
Referrals to Medway are managed by our partners at Everyturn Services.
Self-referrals are welcome or you can ask your GP to put in a referral on your behalf;
Contact 0300 029 3000 or email medway@everyturn.org
What happens next?
We or our partners in Medway will contact you, usually by phone, to arrange a face-to-face or telephone assessment. This will last; 30-40 minutes.Please have your NHS number with you as an assessment cannot be booked without this. You will find this written on any correspondence you have had from the NHS, including prescriptions. If you have an assessment arranged but realise later you will be unable to attend, it is very important that you let us know as soon as possible, so we can rearrange and somebody else in need can make use of the appointment.
What will the assessment show?
It will allow us to see if you are eligible to receive services from us and, if so, what kind of services we can offer, depending on your wishes and the assessment. These will be explained to you at the assessment. We aim to start your therapy within 4-6 weeks of referral.
What kind of help is available?
Group, individual and online help are all available, and sessions will take place generally on a weekly basis. Services are delivered by various professionals such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, High-Intensity CBT Therapists, and qualified counsellors. We use various models of help, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psycho-education, Counselling and Mindfulness, which will be explained during the assessment. We can provide help in a number of Asian and European languages as well as British Sign Language and will arrange an interpreter where necessary. We deliver treatments in-person, video call via Zoom, and by telephone.
What is expected of clients?
Once you have been assessed, you will go into a waiting list for treatment (Usually within 6 weeks), you will be allocated a series of therapy sessions with the same therapist. These will take place at the same time and place every week. You must make every effort to attend the sessions that you have been allocated as this free service is funded by the NHS. There are many people who need our help, so those who do not attend for 2 sessions in a row will be closed to allow another person to use this service.
Confidentiality
This is a confidential service, but we do ask your permission to let your GP know the basic details of our work with you (e.g.your start date and type of treatment). We respect your decision on this, however, in extreme circumstances, where we think you are a danger to yourself or others, we might need to contact other agencies, and this is explained in the Therapy Agreement you will hold with us (signed at your first treatment session).
Times and Venues
These services are delivered at various venues throughout North Kent. We offer services in the daytime, in the evenings and on Saturday mornings, but clients should note that if they are too particular about when they can attend, this will result in their waiting time being longer.
Reasons to choose North Kent Mind
- 95% of clients are assessed within 14 days from when we receive a referral
- 54% of clients make so much improvement they can be rated as “moving to recovery”
- These figures are significantly above national averages
- We provide employment support for clients also wishing to get back to work
- Variety of local venues and session times to suit
- We work in-person with you, and not just on the telephone or online as some providers do
- Post-therapy support available
SilverCloud
SilverCloud Health provides a wide range of online guided self-help programmes for stress, depression and anxiety. Every client is allocated a psychological wellbeing practitioner from our service who will guide them through the programme and help with any questions they have. Programmes consist of around six or seven modules – which can be completed at the individual’s own pace, over approximately eight weeks. To find out more please click here.
When in Crisis
Although we try to arrange therapy as soon as we can, especially where someone is in great distress, this is not a crisis service.
People needing crisis help should approach the
Social Services/NHS mental health team in office hours: 01322 622230 0r 0300 222 123
Or outside of office hours contact the GP out of hour’s service and ask them to refer to the Crisis Team.
Mental Health Matters helpline is also available outside of office hours: 0800 1070160
Samaritans: 0208 301 1010 0r 116 123
National Data opt-out: The national data opt-out is a service that allows patients to opt out of their confidential patient information being used for research and planning. To find out more about your options and to record your choice, please visit
https://digital.nhs.uk/services/national-data-opt-out