Talking Therapies: Why sticking with it matters
If you are registered with Northamptonshire's Talking Therapies and you're finding it hard to stay on track - you're not alone. But it's well worth sticking with.
Life gets busy, progress can feel slow and opening up about your feelings might be tough. These challenges are very common and are all part of the Talking Therapies journey - and you don't have to face them alone.
What is Talking Therapies?
Talking Therapies is designed for people that are feeling low in mood, stressed or anxious. Our experienced team will work with you to get you back on track and feel more in control. The support options include:
- Online self-help tools - to help you build skills at your own pace
- Group sessions - where you can share experiences and learn together
- Regular contact with your therapist - to guide you through your recovery journey
Please note, Talking Therapies is not an emergency or crisis service. You will need to wait for an initial assessment. If you are in crisis or looking to talk to someone about your mental health please call the 24/7 Mental Health Number on 0800 448 0828.
What do people say about Talking Therapies?
Evidence shows us that people who complete their Talking Therapies programme are more likely to see real, lasting benefits.
Nick is a former service user and now a Lived Experience Advisor for the service, he said:
"Being realistic, you probably won't feel better straight away but Talking Therapies is very valuable.
"Yes, perhaps the treatments can feel a little difficult initially to get your head around. But once you've done that and you've actually started to embed some of the techniques into your everyday life, it really does make a positive difference to you.
"The people I met are non-judgemental and so encouraging. The pathway is well proven - there's a lot of science behind it. My advice is to have a bit of faith and stick with it. You're going to come out at the end of it feeling a lot better."
You can hear more from Nick and his experience here:
Overcoming barriers together
Therapy can feel overwhelming at first but with time you will start to understand the different things you can do to help you feel happier and back on track.
By working closely with your therapist, you can overcome any barriers that may be stopping you in your recovery journey.
In these videos our therapists talk about the need to give Talking Therapies time. It can take time for it all to come together, make sense and start to take affect - watch their insights here:
Therapy is not a quick fix
Feeling better can be a gradual process as you work through your emotions.
Talking Therapies equips you with skills and tools that you can continue using long after sessions end.
Robbie, a former service user and now Lived Experience Advisor, talks us through their positive experience with Talking Therapies and highlights the importance of practising techniques and celebrating little wins along the way.
Explore the new Talking Therapies Welcome Hub
If you have signed up for Talking Therapies, visit our new online Welcome Hub to learn more about the therapies available, find answers to your questions and hear directly from our therapists.
Need support with your mental health?
If you want to talk to someone about your mental health and you're not sure about what support you need - call the 24/7 Mental Health Number on 0800 448 0828. They will find the right support for you.
If you need urgent mental health help you can:
- Visit a Crisis Café
- Speak to your GP
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123
- Text ChatHealth on 07480 635 531 or start a chat online
- Call 111 and select the mental health option
To find out more about Northamptonshire Talking Therapies including who it is for, what therapies are available and if it's the right service for you please visit our website.