NHS Sunderland Talking Therapies

Who are we?

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Sunderland Talking Therapies (formally Sunderland Psychological Wellbeing Service) provide a range of treatments for people with common mental health problems. These may include Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, (OCD), Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD), Social Anxiety Disorder, Post- Traumatic Stress and Panic.

Sunderland Talking Therapies is a service which runs as a partnership between Sunderland Counselling Service, Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear Foundation Trust and Washington Mind.

What Do We Offer?

Sunderland Counselling Service are proud to be part of a team that offers Step Two Low Intensity Interventions at Sunderland Talking Therapies. We provide Guided Self Help, Computerised CBT and Group Support.

Step two interventions are provided by Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) who are trained in delivering Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). This approach helps you understand how your thoughts, behaviours and feelings link together and how they can sometimes maintain problems we are having.

Guided Self Help

This involves 6 to 8 sessions with a PWP, usually lasting around 30 minutes per session. Sessions tend to take place weekly or fortnightly and can be delivered face to face or on the telephone.

The sessions will involve identifying goals, understanding your difficulties, agreeing treatment plans and monitoring your progress. The focus will be on guiding you through the self-help materials and helping you to develop strategies to become the best manager of your mental health.

Each session you and your practitioner will agree some tasks to complete in your own time at home. These tasks will be aimed at helping you reach your treatment goals. The more time you spend on these between session tasks, the more likely you are to benefit from treatment.

 

Group Support

We offer the following classes and groups:

  • Managing Pain and Fatigue
  • Coping with Panic
  • Living Well with Breathlessness
  • Managing Mood
  • Mindfulness
  • Overcoming Stress
  • Relaxation
  • Sleep Well
  • Compassion
  • Mini Minds and Me -Perinatal class
  • Menopause and Me

Attending one of these groups or courses will help you to:

  • Learn more about common symptoms and how they affect you
  • Learn effective coping strategies to help to improve your wellbeing
  • Cope better with any future difficulties and be well prepared for any future treatment

The classes and groups typically run for four weeks for an hour at a time and are delivered by qualified therapists. There is no pressure to contribute or discuss your difficulties with the rest of the group.

Computerised CBT

This is an online programme called SilverCloud that you can access as often as you like, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The programme is interactive and informative and will provide you with a space to reflect and learn techniques that can help to improve the way you are feeling. It is helpful for stress, depression and anxiety.

The content is of Computerised CBT is identical to what a therapist would work through with you.  You are supported online by a therapist who will monitor your progress and help you through the modules.

Who is this service for?

This service is available to anyone aged 16 or over that has a common mental health problem and is living in Sunderland and is registered with a Sunderland GP.

How do I refer?

Online: You can contact Sunderland Psychological Wellbeing Service by going to their website and completing their self-referral form. sunderlandtalkingtherapies.co.uk

GP Referral: You may wish to speak to your GP or a health professional for some more information. Following your discussion, they may refer you to Sunderland Talking Therapies

Self Refer by Telephone:  0191 5665454

Where is the service located?

Sunderland Talking Therapies has locations across the whole of Sunderland. We work from GP surgeries, specialist hospitals and community settings, in a venues convenient to you.

What other support is available?

There are many other talking therapies available at Sunderland Talking Therapies. These include:

  • Counselling
  • Community Psychiatric Nursing (CPN)
  • Pregnancy and Post Natal Mental Health
  • EMDR
  • High Intensity CBT
  • Systemic Therapy
  • IPT

Please see our FAQ page for more information on these therapies.