FAQs – TalkPlus – Free NHS CBT, counselling, therapy for Depression, Anxiety, Panic, OCD, and Phobias in Farnborough, Aldershot, Yateley, Blackwater, Farnham and Fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions about TalkPlus

Question	Answer
Do I need to pay for treatment?	TalkPlus is a completely Free NHS Primary Care Mental Health Service.
What geographical area do you cover?	Our friendly service provides free NHS therapy for people aged 16 and above registered to surgeries in Farnborough, Farnham, Fleet, Aldershot, Church Crookham, Blackwater and Yateley.
My GP isn’t in one of the areas listed above, can I still access TalkPlus?	You should check for your local IAPT services if you live out of our area by going to this page. In exceptional circumstances we may consider offering services to someone out of our area. To check if you qualify for this please email frimleyccg.talkplus@nhs.net
Do you provide Counselling?	We provide a range of services including counselling with trained counsellors. We also provide one to one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a range of group courses, telephone or video-based therapy, Guided Self Help and online courses.
How long will I have to wait for my appointment?	This will depend on which service you require and availability but generally, after your Initial Assessment, which will take place very quickly following your referral, you can expect to wait under 8 weeks.
What happens at my assessment?	At the Initial Assessment you will discuss your current situation and what you want to focus on. Then you will discuss the best option for your treatment. You may be given some things to do before your next session.
I haven’t got a mental illness, I am struggling at the moment, is this the right service for me?	If you are feeling; stressed, anxious, worried, under pressure, suffering with low mood or finding a long term physical condition is causing a strain on your wellbeing, then this is the right service for you. Check out our free online videos for more information.
Why do you need to keep my GP updated?	We are part of the NHS care system and we will share some or all of your information with other health care professionals within NHS organisations so that we can work together to provide the best possible care. We will only share with them such information that is necessary for your ongoing care. We will not disclose any information that identifies you to anyone without your express permission unless in exceptional circumstances, such as where we are required to do so by law or where there is danger of harm to a child or a vulnerable adult. You can read our confidentiality policy here.
I work full time, will I be able to get an appointment?	Yes. We offer a range of options for appointments, not just face to face. Mention your availability on your referral or Initial Assessment and we will do our best to provide an option that suits. There may be a slight increase in wait time for out of hours appointments.
How do I refer to one of your courses?	You can read about our courses here. You can discuss your desire to attend a course at the Initial Assessment. Not all courses run all the the year through so there may be a wait or another option in the interim.
Can I refer on behalf of someone else?	Referrals must be made with the consent of the person referring in to the service. You can assist someone else to make the referral if they require support completing forms, please make it clear on the referral that you have completed this on their behalf and why.
What is CBT?	CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. You can find out more about cognitive behavioural therapy by following this link: https://www.talkplus.org.uk/talkplus-video-modules
Do you provide relationship counselling?	Our service provides support for individuals experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. We can provide help if your depression is affecting your relationship(s). We do not provide relationship counselling.
I have mobility difficulties, can I use the service?	We aim to provide a service that is fully inclusive. If you opt for face to face appointments, we have many clinics that are fully accessible for people with mobility difficulties. If you are unable to travel we can also facilitate telephone, video or online appointments where appropriate.
I have accessed your service before; can I re-refer and when?	TalkPlus encourages patients to practice the techniques they have learnt in therapy over the coming months. They can, if necessary, re-refer to the service in future. However, we would normally ask patients not to re-refer within 6 months of discharge unless their mood or anxiety symptoms significantly deteriorate.
Can I bring someone else to the appointment with me?	In order to gain the most of out of therapy we recommend that you attend sessions alone. If patients feel more comfortable having someone else present we can facilitate this for their assessment. We do ask that parents arrange childcare as we are unable to allow children in to therapy sessions. For patients with additional needs we can facilitate a carer/trusted helper.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?	If you need to cancel an appointment you can contact TalkPlus by phoning 01252 533355 or emailing us at: frimleyicb.talkplus@nhs.net In order to manage waiting lists more efficiently, TalkPlus asks for at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellation of appointments wherever possible. If you miss two appointments (even if not successive) without 24 hours’ notice, you may be discharged back to your GP.
Will my employer need to be informed that I have referred to your service?	We do not inform your employer when you refer to our service. On some rare occasions future employers may request your medical records, (see medical records FAQ) but these cannot be obtained without your consent and it is very rare that employers request this. If you are unsure, please email us on frimleyicb.talkplus@nhs.net or phone us on 01252 533355
How can I ensure I get the most out of my guided self help/CBT sessions?	We typically find that patients gain the most from their therapy by attending appointments regularly and using a notebook or keeping a folder. The main predictor of successful treatment is regularly using the skills we teach you through home practice tasks.
How long are the appointments?	This is dependant on the type of therapy you have been offered. The Initial Assessment lasts for up to 45 minutes. Low Intensity CBT/Guided self-help treatment sessions are up to 30 minutes. High Intensity CBT and Counselling treatment sessions are 50 minutes. Course session times vary in length depending on the course, this will be discussed when arranging for you to join a course.
How many appointments could I have?	This is dependant on the type of therapy you have been offered, it also varies from person to person and may differ dependant on your symptoms. You can expect this to be discussed and agreed with your therapist.
Where would my appointments take place?	Many of our appointments take place via video, telephone or online. Our face to face appointments are available in the local area, including Farnborough, Fleet, Aldershot, Farnham and Yateley. It is possible to request one of these locations but this can increase your waiting time for an appointment.
Do you work with people with an autism spectrum condition?	Everybody has the right to access mental health services and we work with patients who have an ASD diagnosis, we offer short-term, goal-focussed therapy, we do not offer long term support. So there are limitations to the support that we can provide.
Do you work with people who have a learning disability / difficulty?	Everybody has the right to access mental health services and we work with patients who have a learning disability diagnosis, we offer short-term, goal-focussed therapy, we do not offer long term support. So there are limitations to the support that we can provide.
What if English isn’t my first language?	We offer reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of patients with additional communication needs. We can arrange for an interpreter to be present for telephone, video or face-to-face appointments. Please make us aware by indicating on your referral form if you require this support.
How long people have to wait for various types of support?	Our waiting list times fluctuate frequently so we recommend asking us when you attend your Initial Assessment. Typically the online CBT option or one of our courses involve accessing treatment much quicker.
Will information go on my medical record?	We record our information on a separate system to those used by other services in the NHS such as your GP surgery. Your GP’s system will be updated with the type of treatment you have received from us but not with the details from within your therapy sessions. If you would like to find out more about what is communicated to your GP please ask us at your Inital Assessment. We will always explain our confidentiality policy to you at the start of your Initial Assessment.