Although talking therapies are available on the NHS, many people aren't sure how to access it. This post explains what NHS Talking Therapies are, how self-referral works, what to expect, and some of the limitations people often don’t find out about until much later.

What Are NHS Talking Therapies?

NHS Talking Therapies (previously known as IAPT) are services that provide psychological support for common mental health difficulties, including:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Panic

• OCD

• PTSD (mild to moderate)

• Stress and burnout

The most commonly offered therapy is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), though some services also provide counselling, group programmes, or guided self-help.

These services are free and available across England, though what’s offered can vary by location.

In Brighton and Hove, NHS Talking Therapies are usually accessed through NHS Talking Therapies Services :: Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Like many areas, demand is high, and waiting times can vary.

Do You Need a GP Referral in Brighton and Hove?

In most cases, you do not need a GP referral to access NHS Talking Therapies in Brighton and Hove.

You can usually self-refer directly to NHS Talking Therapies — Brighton and Hove Wellbeing Service, which can feel like a relief for people who find it difficult to talk to a GP about their mental health. Some people still choose to involve their GP, particularly if medication, sick notes, or physical health concerns are part of the picture, but it isn’t required.

How Self-Referral Works

Self-referral is typically completed online.

You’ll be asked to:

• Provide basic contact information

• Answer questions about how you’ve been feeling

• Complete short questionnaires about anxiety and mood

After this, you’re usually offered an initial assessment, often by phone or video call. This is not therapy itself, but a conversation to understand what support the service feels able to offer.

Waiting Times and Local Reality

Like many areas, Brighton and Hove has high demand for NHS mental health services. Waiting times can vary significantly, and many people describe long periods of uncertainty between referral, assessment, and starting therapy.

While waiting, some people are offered:

• Online CBT programmes

• Group workshops

• Self-guided resource

• What NHS Therapy Is - and What It Isn’t

  NHS Talking Therapies help many people, especially with:

  • Specific anxiety patterns

  • Panic attacks

  • Low mood

  • Learning coping strategies

  At the same time, there are limitations that aren’t always made explicit.

  NHS therapy is often:

  • Time-limited

  • Structured

  • Focused on symptoms rather than wider life history

  For people with unresolved trauma, nervous-system-based anxiety, or relational difficulties, this approach can feel too brief or too narrow. This doesn’t mean the therapy has failed, or that the person hasn’t engaged properly, only that the model may not be the right fit.

As a therapist in Brighton and Hove, my work with trauma and anxiety focuses on creating a space where people can slow down, feel safe enough to notice what their nervous system is doing, and approach long-standing patterns with curiosity and compassion rather than pressure to change.