Guided self help for depression and anxiety disorders

The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommends a course of guided self help for mild to moderate depression and anxiety disorders. You and your practioner will work together to understand what is maintaining your problems and identify ways that you can break the cycle. Patients usually report that they find this kind of treatment very empowering as it helps them to use their own strengths to make changes and learn new ways of dealing with any future problems. Appointments involve meeting face-to-face with a practitioner for sessions, or can be done over the phone if more convenient for you. Often if you are able to do sessions over the telephone this can mean that you can be seen faster.

The practitioner was always very helpful, friendly and understanding. She made me feel confident and helped me deal with my issues by teaching me new techniques and ways of thinking

The practitioner was always very helpful, friendly and understanding. She made me feel confident and helped me deal with my issues by teaching me new techniques and ways of thinking

Guided self help is a type of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems and difficult feelings by changing the way you think and behave). Your practitioner will work with you to develop skills and strategies that you can practice between your sessions to improve how you are feeling. Sometimes this will be done using written materials so that you will be able to keep a record of how you are doing. It is important to complete this work between your sessions.

How many sessions will I need?
It varies, but usually 6 – 8

How long will the sessions take?
30 minutes, but your first appointment after your assessment can take up to 45 minutes.

How often will I have a session?
Usually once a fortnight