Talking therapies
A range of different types of talking therapy are available:10
| Talking therapy | Recommended for: | Involves… |
| Guided self-help | depression, anxiety and panic disorder. |
Working through a CBT-based workbook/computer course plus face-to-face appointments/telephone calls with a therapist. 12-20 sessions. |
| Counselling | life difficulties, eg coping with long-term conditions, chronic pain, addiction. |
Taking in confidence with a counsellor. 6-12 sessions. |
| Counselling for depression | mild to moderate depression (usually having already tried another therapy such as guided self-help). | Helping people understand the underlying causes of their depression. |
| Behavioural activation | depression. |
Helping people take simple, practical steps towards positivity by one-to-one, telephone or group therapy. 16-20 sessions. |
| Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) | Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some eating disorders. |
Exploring how you think about yourself, and finding ways to change unhelpful behaviour patterns by setting goals and tasks between sessions. Usually 12-20 sessions. |
| Interpersonal therapy (IPT) | depression - usually if it is severe or has not responded to other therapies such as CBT. |
Helping people to identify and address problems in their personal relationships. 16-20 sessions. |
| Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) | PTSD. |
Helps the brain reprocess memories of the traumatic event so the patient can let go of them. 8-12 sessions. |
| Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) | depression, addiction, or to help prevent recurrence after completing therapy. | Combines mindfulness techniques (eg meditation, breathing exercises) with cognitive therapy. |