iCope offers a range of short-term psychological interventions to adults presenting with common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety.

The service also offers adapted therapy options for people living with long-term physical health conditions (or persistent physical symptoms; more information about this can be found on the Physical health problems page on the iCope website.

The majority of interventions are theoretically grounded in cognitive behavioural therapy, but iCope also has a small provision to offer other types of therapy where appropriate. All therapies offered are recommended by NICE.

Problems iCope works with

The main clinical presentations iCope can offer help with are listed below:

• depression
• agoraphobia
• social phobia
• specific phobias (e.g spiders, needles)
• panic disorders
• generalised anxiety disorder
• obsessive compulsive disorder
• body dysmorphic disorder
• illness anxiety (e.g. constant worry/preoccupation with health and the idea of being unwell)
• primary insomnia
• post-traumatic stress disorder.

Referral process

When a patient is referred to iCope, the team will review the information available at point of referral to consider if iCope is the service best placed to help the patient.

If the team feels the patient has needs that are too high or complex for iCope, they will respond by signposting the client to a different service or team.

Before making a referral, clinicians should consider the following:

• is the main problem the patient needs help with related to substance misuse? 
  • if so, consider referring to local substance misuse services
• does the patient need urgent help or support because of suicidal thoughts or self-harming? 
  • if so, refer to local mental health crisis team
• does the patient need practical support with housing, finances, legal disputes, etc.?
  • if so, consider referring to a social prescriber or other community-based support
• is the patient able to engage in a short term, structured, goal-focused therapy? 
  • if not, iCope would recommend they are not referred in the first instance but considered for other types of practical/emotional support (e.g., social prescribing).

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

Patients:

• aged 17.5+ (there is no upper age limit)
• with depression, anxiety or other common mental health problems
• with long-term physical health conditions or persistent physical symptoms
• with insomnia
• who want to access time-limited, structured psychological interventions
• registered with a Camden or Islington GP
• working in health or social care within NCL
• living in Camden or Islington and not registered with a GP (they will be encouraged to register).

See Downloads for a more comprehensive list of inclusion and exclusion criteria for a referral.

Exclusions

• children (aged <17.5 years)
• adults presenting with serious mental health problems (not anxiety or depression), and other specialist or complex difficulties, such as:
  • psychosis
  • bipolar disorder (except if currently depressed with no recent mood elevation, and looking for psychological therapy for depression)
  • problems related to a personality disorder or people who have significant interpersonal difficulties
  • significant alcohol or drug use
  • eating disorders
  • anger management (that is not secondary to anxiety or depression)
  • moderate-severe learning disability
• are actively suicidal or a risk to others
• have severe problems with alcohol or drug misuse
• are already under the care of other specialist mental health services
• require secondary (specialist) mental health care involving a multi-disciplinary team approach (this includes people who will not engage with secondary care or are waiting to be seen)
• have had several unsuccessful attempts at treatment with iCope previously (a clinical discussion with the GP may be helpful in these situations)
• adults whose primary request is for diagnosis or medication, or who are not wanting or able to work psychologically
• iCope is unable to offer home visits so, if a patient has not been able to leave the house for a significant period of time, they may be more suitable for secondary care services.

How to Refer

Locations

iCope Talking Therapies Service