NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Talking Therapies

What to expect

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Talking Therapies provides help to people aged 17 and over who are experiencing depression, anxiety disorders and other common mental health challenges. This includes:

• generalised anxiety disorder (GAD);
• social anxiety;
• post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD);
• health anxiety;
• panic;
• phobias;
• obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD);
• stress;
• low confidence or self-esteem issues;
• sleep disturbance.

You do not need a diagnosis to access the service, and you can self-refer by completing the online form on the website. The service works with people who have mild to moderately severe symptoms and the treatments offered are short term.

More information

If you think you may benefit from support from this service, start by reading the section entitled ‘Who is suitable for treatment’ on the Talking Therapies website. If you meet these suitability criteria, then you can self-refer to the service by completing the self-referral form.

The form will ask you to give some basic personal details, and then to describe the difficulties you are experiencing. It is helpful if you can provide as much information as possible. You will also be asked to complete some questionnaires which will help the service to have a better understanding of your particular difficulties. If you have any problems with the form call 0300 300 0055.

If the problems you describe in your referral are something the team might be able to help you with, you will be offered an initial suitability assessment with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. This will usually take place over the phone and last for approximately 30 minutes. It will help the service determine whether they are a good fit for you, and what treatment you may find beneficial.

You can find out more about the different treatment options offered by the service on the Talking Therapies website. Treatment is short term, and can vary from just a couple of sessions to weekly sessions over a few months.

Older Adults

NHS Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Talking Therapies has no upper age limit and welcomes self-referrals from people aged 65 and over. For more information visit the Older Adults page on their website.

All treatments are provided free of charge.