Camden & Islington (C&I) NHS Talking Therapies 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 C&I NHS Talking Therapies website.

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

Problems C&I NHS Talking Therapies works with

The main clinical presentations C&I NHS Talking Therapies 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 C&I NHS Talking Therapies, the team will review the information available at point of referral to consider if C&I NHS Talking Therapies is the service best placed to help the patient.

If the team feels the patient has needs that are too high or complex for C&I NHS Talking Therapies, 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, C&I NHS Talking Therapies 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
• C&I NHS Talking Therapies 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