Reviewed on : 10 Jun 2024

Reviewed by : Gateway Editor

Expires : 10 Jun 2026

Self refer – follow QR code:

Follow link to NHS Talking Therapies webpage

NHS Talking Therapies operates as a collaboration between Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and Coventry and Warwickshire Mind. It is a free NHS service to help people with mild, moderate and moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and low mood

If you are currently registered with a GP in Coventry, Warwickshire or Solihull and are over the age of 16 years old and suffering with low mood and anxiety you can also self-refer by filling in the form via the link below

PLEASE NOTE  this form will only be replied to if you are referring yourself into the service. To change or cancel an appointment, find out where you are on the waiting list or for any other queries, please call 02476 671 090

Submit the referral using the link below:

Professional Referral Form

NHS Talking Therapies

Provides structured psychological therapies for people aged 16 and above registered with a GP, who are experiencing mild to moderate anxiety related disorders and/or depression, and who are likely to benefit from brief psychological therapy

Provide individual and group psychological therapies (eg cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling for depression) in accordance with NICE guidelines  for common mental health problems

All referrals are screened to confirm that NHS Talking Therapies is the most appropriate treatment pathway

The patient is offered an assessment with one of our clinical staff either over the phone or through a secure video link

Where not the most appropriate service, we offer signposting to other services, based on the needs identified at screening or assessment

We are not a crisis service

Referral Criteria for NHS Talking Therapies

Mild to moderate mental health issues including the following:

• Depression
• Panic Disorder
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Health Anxiety
• Social Phobia
• Specific Phobia
• Single incident PTSD
• Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
• Insomnia
• Low Self-Esteem
• Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD).
• Anxiety/ depression in people with long term health conditions
• Post-natal anxiety/depression
• Mild to moderate Trichotillomania (TTM)
• Long Term Conditions (e.g. Diabetes / Respiratory Disorders) – related to anxiety and / or depression

Referral requirements

• Motivated to attend and engage in regular psychological therapy
• A low level of risk to self and others

Inappropriate referrals

Treatment for people with the following difficulties cannot be offered as they are unlikely to benefit from the brief, structured interventions we provide:

• Aged under 16 – refer to CAMHS.
• Drug use / Alcohol use as primary or a significant problem. or level of misuse likely to prevent engagement in regular psychological therapy. Refer to drug / alcohol service.
• Recent and significant forensic history: refer to forensic services or SCMH as appropriate.
• Immediate and active risk of harm to self/ current suicidal intent or recent suicide attempt or still in crisis. refer to SCMH / CRHT /
• Immediate and active risk of harm to self or others or recent history of violence:
• Where primary motive is to seek a report, but no real identified desire / motivation to engage with therapy.
• Client is currently psychotic or has had a recent history of psychosis.
• Anger is the presenting problem with little evidence of depression and / or anxiety.
• Service user is requesting an intervention for Childhood Sexual Abuse (CSA).
• A diagnosed Personality disorder or personality traits or significant level of personality dysfunction that would make engagement in a brief psychological intervention likely to be ineffective, unhelpful and contravene NICE guidance
• ADHD is the primary problem and has a significant effect on functioning.
• Currently a SCMH patient.
• Moderate to severe learning disability: refer to learning disability services.
• Service user is requesting treatment for a learning disability: refer to the learning disability service.
• Complex needs requiring multi-disciplinary input or longer-term psychological input e.g. severe OCD, chronic agoraphobia, complex PTSD (i.e. repeated/ongoing trauma; victims of significant torture).
• Significant psychosocial or physical health factors which prevent engagement in regular psychological therapy and/or requiring MDT input (e.g. where there are ongoing physical health investigations.).
• Where ongoing home visits are required.

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