Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT)

The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) NHS service provides free psychological therapies for adults suffering from mild to moderate depression and anxiety or stress.

Online Courses

For a complete list of current courses IAPT are running, check out their course schedule. You can self-refer to all of IAPT’s services using their online form or by phoning 0114 226 4380.

Stress control

A free 6 week course that teaches techniques to help you deal with stress, anxiety, depression and boosting self esteem. Each session is 2 hours and the courses run regularly, check the website for the next dates.

Improving Wellbeing Sessions

These are free, four week courses to help you learn techniques to improve how you feel. Each session lasts two hours. Current wellbeing sessions are:

• Overcoming low mood – also available in Arabic and Urdu
• Overcoming anxiety and worry – also available in Arabic and Urdu
• Mother and baby wellbeing

Physical Health and Wellbeing Service

This service is designed to help people manage a a long-term health condition, via courses as well as one-to-one work. Health conditions covered include Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), pain, heart conditions, diabetes, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), health anxiety, back pain, sciatica, cancer, skin conditions, fatigue and others.

1-1 Therapy and Advice

Employment Advice

IAPT can give you advice and support if your anxiety or depression are affecting your work or employment, or if you are looking at returning to work. They can help with a range of issues such as redundancy, unfair dismissal, holidays and grievances.

SilverCloud

An online therapy programme for stress, anxiety, low-mood and depression.

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

IAPT can offer you up to 6 sessions of up to 30 minutes. They can provide information and techniques to manage and overcome stress, anxiety and depression. They can also teach new ways to solve difficult problems, overcome negative thinking and face fears. Other therapies are available (see below) and you can discuss accessing them with the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.

Other therapies that are available:

• Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT)
• Counselling
• Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR)
• Couple Therapy for Depression

Online Resources

The IAPT website has lots of self-help guides and resources that you can access.

Covid update 05/04/21: Most services continue under covid-safe conditions but may be experiencing changes to how or when they deliver their service. Contact IAPT directly for the latest information.