Improving Access to Psychological Therapies

Known locally as the Sunderland Psychological Wellbeing Service, IAPT is a national program that exists to implement NICE guidance for people suffering from common mental health problems, specifically anxiety and depression.

Interventions are offered under a stepped care model with an individual receiving the least intrusive intervention appropriate for their problem, with the ability to step up and down between interventions.

Low intensity interventions include:

• Guided self help
• Psycho-educational classes
• Computerised CBT

High intensity interventions include individual CBT, IPT and counselling.

In Sunderland the IAPT service is delivered in partnership between Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, Sunderland Counselling Services, Washington Mind and Sunderland Mind. The aim of this is to integrate the service into existing primary care mental health services and related services, in both statutory and voluntary sectors, to ensure that clients can access the most appropriate intervention easily.

If you would like to make a referral or find out more about this service please call 0191 5665450