• More on your mind than just Christmas campaign.
  • More on your mind than just christmas campaign - theme one
  • More on your mind than just christmas - theme two
  • More on your mind than just Christmas - theme three
  • More on your mind than just Christmas - theme four
  • more on your mind than jsut Christmas - theme five

Changing Minds IAPT

In the Changing Minds IAPT Service, we help people aged 17.5 and up with mild to moderate depression and/or an anxiety disorder. We often work with carers and people with long-term conditions where anxiety and depression is the focus.

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Changing Minds IAPT Service

Not everyone has a holly-jolly Christmas and we want to make sure you know where to contact us for support over this festive period. As we are fast approaching Christmas, we know this time of year isn’t filled with joy and laughter for everyone. In fact, it can be quite lonely or stressful and can lead to feeling low in mood, anxious about money and going out or stressed with the thought of having to prepare for this time of year.

To help with this, our Changing Minds IAPT team have pulled together a list of tips, advice and information on how to keep yourself mentally well over the Christmas period. Click on tab to the right called 'Christmas' to view all the tips! 

Every month we help over 1,000 people in Northamptonshire who are feeling stressed, low in mood or have mild to moderate depression and/or an anxiety disorder. The service is for anyone over the age of 17 and a half and living in Northamptonshire and we will work with you to put a plan in place. This may include being offered a group, computerised cognitive behavioural therapy, online wellbeing groups or face to face support.  

We often work with carers and people with long-term conditions where anxiety and depression is the focus. 

Therapeutic work takes place in GP surgeries and other suitable facilities throughout the county but we will occasionally run workshops and webinars out of hours or during the weekend.

To find out about the free webinars we have available please click here.

Who is this service for? Anyone aged 17 and half and over with mild to moderate depression and/or an anxiety disorder.

How to access this service: You can access the service yourself by calling 0300 999 1616 (9 to 5 weekdays) or by filling in the online form below called 'Click here to register for IAPT'.

Contact us

Telephone: 0300 999 1616

If you are a patient of the IAPT service in the North of the county and the lines are busy and you are unable to get through, please call our IAPT North team on: 01536 748122

To register for the service please complete an online form here.

Register here

Completing the IAPT self-referral form provides a quick and easy access to psychological therapies for people experiencing depression & anxiety difficulties. Just select the 'Click here to register option' below.I you prefer to speak to someone please call our dedicated Central Hub team on 0300 999 1616 between 9.00am-5.00pm.

Please note: Changing Minds IAPT is not an emergency service and is not manned 24 hrs. If you are worried about your safety (have suicidal thoughts, risk to self or others) please contact your GP or phone 111.

 

IAPT Christmas tips

More on your mind than just Christmas?

Not everyone has a holly-jolly Christmas and we want to make sure you know our Changing Minds IAPT team are here to support you, a loved one, friend or colleague in the run up to Christmas.  

The darker evenings and colder days have hit which means we are weeks away from the festive period. For some people, this time of year can be overwhelming with the pressure Christmas brings and everything you may feel obliged to do. Every month, we see over 1,000 people in Northamptonshire access this service however know that over the Christmas period people do not access the support due to the pressure of being 'in the Christmas spirit'. 

Our Changing Minds IAPT team have pulled together five top tips for each of the themes below - click on the links to view! 

Our team of professionals can provide advice, offer support and help put the right techniques in place to help you get back to feeling like you again. The service is for anyone over the age of 17 and a half and living in Northamptonshire. Contact us on www.nhft.nhs.uk/iapt and complete the short online form or give us a call on 0300 999 1616 (9 to 5 weekdays).

So remember, it is okay not to be okay. Just know you are not alone and there is support available to you – either at the end of the phone or just a click away online.

Live online wellbeing courses

What is a live online wellbeing course?

These are also known as webinars and are web-based groups that are transmitted over the internet using video-conferencing software (similar to Skype). Our live online wellbeing courses aim to provide education and practical help for wellbeing issues such as poor sleep, anxiety, low mood, stress and distress, for as many people as possible while still assuring confidentiality.  

You can self refer and these are available for anybody in the Northants area who has access to a PC, tablet, smartphone or laptop.

What are the benefits of taking part?

Unfortunately mental health is still a taboo subject which can put people off seeking support. With our service you can self-refer onto our online groups with a simple email as opposed to having to wait for a GP appointment and then a referral. This method is both time saving and convenient as well as assuring confidentiality. Due to health reasons, financial difficulties, work commitments, child or family care issues many people cannot access face to face therapy.

We are aiming to give people a tool box of skills to enable them to maintain healthy wellbeing and because of that we believe almost anyone would benefit. The groups are based on and draw from aspects of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. They are available for absolutely anybody in the Northants area who has access to a PC, Tablet, Smart phone or laptop and feels they could benefit.

What happens on an online course?

Once you have registered your interest in the group you will be sent a couple of questionnaires that we ask everyone to complete at the beginning and end of every group. This helps us to make sure that you are being offered the right level of support and allows you to see your progress from taking part in the online course. When you have returned the questionnaires you will receive an invite into the group and, after a few clicks of a button, you will be brought into the wellbeing course group.

You will be able to see our therapist but they won’t be able to see you, and you won’t be able to see the other participants. The therapist is also able to share worksheets, videos etc with you during the live online wellbeing course. You will be able to type in questions or comments and the therapist will be able to answer you directly.

How do I register on a wellbeing course?

Please email the following details to this email address NHFTwebinar@nhs.net
Name
Date of Birth
Address (including postcode)
GP surgery
The name of the webinar you are interested in attending

When do these online courses happen?

All of the online wellbeing courses run on a rolling basis throughout the year so please just get in touch via the NHFTwebinar@nhs.net email address and we will register you on the next available group. You should have to wait no longer than 6 weeks to get on the online wellbeing course of your choice but usually it will happen much quicker than this. Groups last between 2 and 8 sessions and take place at different times of the day.

(Please note the waiting time for ‘An Introduction to Mindfulness’ and ‘Social anxiety-A mindfulness-based CBT approach’ may be longer).

What if I can’t make the online course?

Don’t worry if you are unable to get in to the live session. Once you are registered on to an online wellbeing course you will receive a recording of the session each week that you can listen to at your convenience.

How many can I register for?

If you are currently working on a 1:1 basis with a therapist then we recommend that you only register on one group at a time. If you are only accessing webinars (rather than 1:1 therapy) you can choose up to 2 webinars at a time.

All the groups are run on a rolling basis so if you are interested in registering for more than the recommended number of groups, just choose the one you feel would be most helpful and then register on the other(s) at a later date.

Available online wellbeing course topics

Improve your sleep

This is a six week ive online wellbeing course designed to help you achieve a deeper more restful sleep. Whether you struggle to get to sleep or stay asleep, or if you sleep but don’t feel rested in the morning, this group can help. Develop an understanding of longer term sleep problems and learn techniques that will help you cultivate a healthy sleep pattern whilst reducing reliance on medication. Using skills based on current research into sleep and insomnia management we hope to help you develop a healthier sleep pattern which can improve physical, mental and emotional well-being.

Managing Low Mood and Mild Depression

This is a 4 week live online wellbeing course that will provide you with the skills to live a more fulfilled and valued life as you reconnect to what’s most important to you. Learn tools from the latest evidenced therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based CBT and acceptance and commitment therapy. Learn to break self-defeating habits and create more meaningful life for yourself.

Learning to relax and manage anxiety

This group is designed to help you to manage your stress, anxiety and emotions in an increasingly frantic world. It’s a 4 week live online webinar course that will provide you with the skills to manage your anxiety by triggering your body’s relaxation response. It does this by using skills based on current research into stress and anxiety management. These techniques can improve attention and decision-making, lead to healthier immune systems, better sleep and many other benefits.

Social anxiety-A mindfulness-based CBT approach

This is a 7 week Live online that enables you to manage your lack of confidence, stress, anxiety and shyness in social situations by using mindfulness-based CBT. What is social anxiety? Despite being the most common type of anxiety disorder and the cause of impairment and distress, social anxiety is under-recognised and under-treated. Yet virtually everyone knows what it is like to feel shy or lacking in social confidence, often to an extent that can limit opportunities as you avoid social situations or spend so much time fretting and stressing that your enjoyment and happiness are drained away. This group aims to re-connect you to what you value most but have lost because of social anxiety.

An introduction to mindfulness

A 6 week live online wellbeing coursedesigned to help you live well, whether you want to reduce negative emotions, anxiety and low mood or simply learn to relax and not feel so overwhelmed. We are offering a comprehensive introduction to mindfulness, a meditation-based skill which evidence shows can help people to manage stress, improve concentration and memory and lift their mood.

First Steps: Coping with Emotional Changes for New Parents

Please note: First Steps is not currently running, please email nhftwebinar@nhs.net to register your interest

First Steps is a 4 week ive online wellbeing course that is designed to help mothers and their partners cope with the emotional changes that happen during pregnancy and after birth. The webinar will offer practical techniques for parents to effectively look after their own wellbeing.

Silver Cloud

Silver Cloud is an online programme you can access in your own time. A worker will regularly access your work and offer you online support. It can help you learn new skills and give you information on your problem.

You can access this when it is convenient to you.

You can do as little or as much as you like, being in control of what you want to do and when. All you need is access to a computer and the internet.
 
For more information contact the IAPT team today. 

Peer Support

Peer Supporters are people who have experienced recovery from mental health distress. They are in a good position to understand what you are going through.

Feeling Low, Stressed or Anxious?

Peer Supporters specialise in helping people who are experiencing some of the above. We offer people the opportunity to talk about how they are feeling and practical and emotional support to help them plan their recovery. We offer short term support (3 to 6 hour long sessions) to people aged 17+ throughout Northamptonshire.

Talking therapies

What are talking therapies?

Talking therapy aims to help you gain a better understanding of the issues that are troubling you.

It can help you find new ways of  thinking, feeling and behaving. This can help you improve how you cope with situations that you find difficult everyday life.

Your therapist with work with you to understand your difficulties and agree which type of therapy is best for you.

All our therapies are National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guideline approved and evidence based for specific anxiety disorders or depression.

Changing Minds IAPT service currently offer the following talking therapies:

Guided Self Help

What is Guided Self-Help?

It is a short term therapy, 4-6 sessions, based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which aims to support people with mild to moderate common mental health difficulties, such as low mood, anxiety, panic and stress. This evidence based and NICE recommended CBT type of approach is tailored to your individual needs and focuses on the ‘here and now’ problems and difficulties.

GSH is delivered by Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP) who will offer 1-2-1 sessions over a short time period. They are trained to work with common mental health problems and offer support. They have a range of skills and experiences of working with people in different settings and from all ages and walks of life.

Who is it for?

Changing minds offer GSH for mild to moderate depression of anxiety disorder/problems 

GSH is for anyone who wants advice and support to help them help themselves to better manage their low mood or fears/anxieties

How might it help me?

Your PWP will offer feedback and support you in learning how to make positive changes using a toolkit of very practical exercises and interventions that will help you to recognise how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes can affect your feelings and behaviour.

You will be supported to learn practical tools and skills will help you to deal with your difficulties and manage things better.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

What is it?

It is Nice (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guideline recommended therapy for depression and anxiety disorders/problems. This means there is research that proves it can be effective in helping people with these difficulties.

CBT is a talking therapy which helps you to understand the interaction between your thoughts/images (cognitions), what you do (behaviours), your emotions (moods) and physical feelings. It can help you to understand what caused and maintains your difficulties. CBT can help you to work towards changing unhelpful thoughts or behaviours and to better manage your moods and physical reactions, both now and in the future

Who is it for?

Changing minds offer CBT for mild to moderate depression of anxiety disorder/problems

CBT is for anyone who wants to better understand their difficulties and who is ready and prepared to make positive changes in their thinking style or behaviours

How might it help me?

You would work alongside your therapist in regular meetings (usually weekly) to gain a shared understanding of your current problems. Usually people have between 8 to 12 sessions of therapy. Together with your therapist you would agree a plan to tackle these. This plan will involve working towards change in your therapy sessions and through tasks you have agreed to do in between your therapy meetings. Towards the end of sessions, if needed, you would agree a plan to continue with progress on your own after therapy ends

Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR)

What is it?

It is Nice (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) guideline recommended treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This means there is research that proves it can be effective in helping people who have PTSD.

A central part of EMDR is the “desensitisation” phase when you would be helped to recall traumatic events in a safe environment whilst following rapid eye movements, tapping or auditory tones ( a process known as “bi-lateral stimulation”): this helps stimulate the mind and body’s normal, healthy way of processing memories

Who is it for?

Changing Minds IAPT service offers EMDR to people who have experienced a single trauma or possibly more than one trauma. We work with people who have good coping skills in everyday life and who currently have a stable living environment

How might it help me?

EMDR can help you to increase “adaptive information processing” of past memories, improve responses to any current triggers in your everyday life and to plan how you might manage any future triggers or challenging situations

Counselling for Depression (CfD)

What is Counselling for Depression?

A particular type of counselling that has been developed to help people suffering from depression. 

There may be some variation in the number of sessions of counselling you are offered according to the way your local service is run. Typically, people with mild to moderate depression might receive about 6–10 sessions over 8–12 weeks but in more complex cases up to 20 sessions of counselling may be offered. In most NHS services it is likely that you will be seen once a week for about 50-60 minutes

Who is it for?

Counselling for depression is for people who have low mood that may be connected to their unresolved emotions

 For example: Being overly critical of ourselves, feeling we are worthless and being left with unresolved feelings from difficult relationships can make us feel low and depressed.

How might it help me?

Counselling aims to help you get in touch with the feelings underlying your depression, to express these, make sense of them and develop new ways of looking at yourself and the world around you. This is achieved by counsellors focusing on how you feel and understanding your situation from your point of view.

Inter Personal Therapy (IPT)

What is it?

IPT is a talking treatment for depression. The focus of therapy is on the current depression where social functioning is affected.

IPT is a structured and focused therapy across 16 sessions aiming to reduce symptoms of depression that can impact on social functioning. 

Who is it for?

IPT is for moderate and severe depression where depression will be the main area of difficulty. IPT supports people who are motivated to work on their depression cycles and seek to understand the interpersonal issues of depression and want to improve their social functioning.

IPT requires  the main area of depression is linked to the following needs:

Role changes such as lifestyle, work, relationships such as divorce, illness

Current disputes in relationships and depression is a consequence

Grief related depression where the loss is within the last 5 years

Sensitivity in relationships that impacts on depression and isolation

How might it help me?

IPT offers a focused and active approach in treatment of an agreed focal area of depression. IPT will help you to monitor your symptoms of depression and agree specific goals to guide your recovery. IPT can help you to develop skills to aid the resolution of interpersonal problems affecting your current depression cycles.