Improved access to psychological therapies

The Improved access to psychological therapies (IAPT) programme aims to better meet the needs of people with depression and anxiety by improving services that are available to them (directly through the NHS, and through other means).

The programme was developed to meet the needs of large numbers of people who previously had either had to wait a long time for help, or had failed to receive a service at all.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CBT, has been found to be effective in helping recovery with many people and is at the heart of the IAPT programme. It is anticipated that nationally there will be some 3,600 more therapists by 2011 providing support to nearly one million people.

Who can use the service

People with anxiety or depression who would benefit from these approaches will be referred by their GP, or over time, be able to self refer themselves.

The service is available across Birmingham.

You must be over 16 years old. People who currently receive mental health services would need to discuss referral with their CPN or psychiatrist.

How to use the service

Currently the service can be accessed via referral from your GP to the Primary Care Mental Health Team. In the future it will be possible to self-refer via the telephone or by dropping into one of our sites.

What to expect when you use the service for the first time

After an initial assessment and discussion, which might be by telephone, it may be agreed to arrange to see an IAPT worker for a planned number of therapy sessions or alternatively it may be agreed that it is more appropriate to receive guidance and support in helping the person better manage their difficulties using for example self-help books, computer programs, etc.

Who provides the service

The service in Birmingham is provided by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Trust, St Martin’s Centre for Health and Healing and Acacia Family Support.

These services are community-based services but are required to have good links with existing voluntary sector agencies, other primary care mental health services, such as counselling and psychology, as well as links with specialist mental health services.

About the programme

The IAPT programme has received funding to better meet the needs of people with depression and anxiety by improving services that are available to them (directly through the NHS, and through other means). The programme was developed to meet the needs of large numbers of people who previously had either had to wait a long time for help, or had failed to receive a service at all.

Over the past three years funding has gradually been given to all Primary Care Trusts in England to ensure that more appropriate services are now available. The funding has enabled new staff to be trained over a year with close supervision. They are being trained in approaches that have been approved by the government-supported body, the National Institute for Clinical Excellence, (NICE).

Useful links and information

• Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme website
• National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE)
• NHS West Midlands Regional Development Centre

Comments and complaints

“What really changed my perspective was my therapist pointing out successes where I had seen none. I realised I had ideas about myself which were plain wrong, drilled into me by people with their own agenda… I had irrefutable evidence that I was (and am) more than I ever thought I was. My depression began to lift.” Rita’s Story, taken from the IAPT Commissioning Toolkit page 3.

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