What's available for my patient?
As a first option, our self-help resources and information may help your patient. Please view the links below to access a range of resources for you to use.
Patients can self-refer to our service by using the Online Self-referral Form or by calling 0300 323 0033.
All patients are assessed before entering the service to ensure we can offer them the right treatment options. Patients will be invited to book an assessment call with one of our practitioners and following this, the talking therapies team can offer a wide range of treatment options in line with NICE guidelines, to ensure your patient gets the right treatment at the right time.
Can I refer my patient directly for an assessment?
If you are a GP or Healthcare Professional, you can refer patients who are 16 years of age and above to NHS Somerset Talking Therapies by completing the online Health Professionals Referral form linked at the bottom of this section.
Before making a referral, it can be helpful to complete the depression and anxiety questionnaires with your patient within the self-assessment section. The scores can then be entered onto the referral form within the additional information section.
IMPORTANT: If you can gain consent from your patient to send text messages, please indicate this on the referral form. This will allow your patient access to our online appointment booking system and make the referral process easier for them.
FAQs
The following are difficulties appropriate for treatment from our Talking Therapies service:
- Depression (mild to moderate and moderate to severe)
- Panic disorder
- Social phobia
- OCD/Hoarding
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder
- Hypochondriasis (Health Anxiety)
- PTSD
- Specific phobias
- Adjustment reaction
- Issues with mood and/or anxiety related to long term physical health conditions.
We do not currently offer treatment for the following presenting problems and situations:
- Psychosis
- Severe mood disorders (including Bi-polar, endogenous depression)
- Severe anxiety/phobias/OCD (impact so significant that would not be able to attend appointments)
- Severe/chaotic substance misuse
- Severe Personality Disorder
- Severe Asperger’s /Autistic Spectrum Disorder
- Cognitive Impairment (Brain Injury, inc. Dementia)
- Significant risk to self or others
- Relationship counselling
- Recent bereavement (within last 6 months)
- Pain (as a primary presenting problem)
- Eating disorders (Anorexia, Bulimia, EDNOS*).
If your patient has needs that fall outside of Talking Therapies capacity, please visit the local support page where you may be able to find a more suitable service for them at this time. Please note we are also unable to offer home visits.
If you are uncertain whether someone would benefit from our service please feel free to contact us to discuss their difficulties.
Talking Therapies can offer your patients an Emotional Health Check session, which helps people consider their emotional health alongside changes to life circumstances, physical health difficulties or as part of your care whilst in your services.
Information about Emotional Health Check appointments.
You can refer your patient for an emotional health check by completing the online referral form.
You can refer your patient for an assessment with us by completing the online referral form:
Alternatively, you can send your assessment report as a referral to SPTTreferrals@somersetft.nhs.uk. As Talking Therapies is not on RiO (we use iaptus), we need the following client information to ensure any transfer from secondary to primary care is safe, effective and fully informed: Title, Full Name, Address, Contact Telephone Number, name of registered GP, GP address, NHS number.
If you are unsure about suitability for Talking Therapies please discuss your patient at your local interface/liaison meeting or contact us prior to making a referral.
You can refer your patient to the Horizon Course by completing this online referral form.
Please select Horizon Group under the referral reason option. More information about the Horizon Course.
