Finding the best therapy for mental health problems can sometimes be a tough process. If you live in Devon and are looking for counselling in Exeter or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in Exeter read on to find out our top tips for getting quick access to therapy.
Exeter has a population of 117,773 people. This means that with current statistics suggesting that around 1 in 4 people will have a mental health problem at some point in their lives, you are in good company if you are looking for counselling in Exeter, as 29,443 other people nearby are also likely to need this, or another type of psychological therapy at some point in their lives.
Although we offer private Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Counselling in Exeter, take a look at our general tips below for finding a range of treatments for mental health problems in the city and surrounding areas:
1) Decide what type of treatment is likely to be most useful for the problems you are experiencing.
For example, if you think that you are experiencing an episode of Depression current clinical guidelines would usually suggest that either Cognitive a Behavioural Therapy or a similar type of treatment called Behavioural Activation will likely be the most useful things to try first. You can find out more about what treatments are suggested for a range of mental health problems by taking a look at guidance issues by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
2) Decide Where You Want to Receive Treatment.
By approaching your GP, they will be able to discuss with you if the types of therapy you have decided are likely to be useful, and will also be able to make a referral to local NHS services if you would like to receive NHS treatment in Exeter. There are a number of NHS Therapy services in Devon which all specialise in providing different types of specific treatment. Your GP or local Community Mental Health Team will be able to offer you much more specific advice on accessing these NHS services if you choose to go this route.
3) What Are The Alternatives?
Depending upon where you live and what type of treatment you need there can sometimes be waiting times before you can start working on your difficulties with a therapist or psychologist in the NHS. If this is the case, you might like to explore self funding a course of therapy or counselling in Exeter. There are a number of independent clinics and therapists in the area that you can contact – including our own Clinic in Exeter City centre. If you are specifically looking for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) then it is a good idea to check that the therapist you have chosen is accredited by the BABCP by looking at the CBT Register they hold online. Most good private therapists and clinics will also be ‘recognised providers’ by all of the major Health Insurance companies. This means that if you hold a health insurance policy that covers psychological therapies your therapist can invoice your insurer directly, so that in most cases you do not need to pay any fees for your private treatment.
4) What Can I Do To Help Myself?
Wherever you live, there are always options of things that you can do to help yourself. For example, a good starting point can be finding a reputable self-help book or resource for the problems you are facing. A series of books that our a Therapists often recommend are the ‘Overcoming’ books published by Constable Robinson. These books cover a wide range of topics using good quality psychological therapy techniques which you can work with on your own and at your own pace.
Why not take a look at our other articles online to find more advice on common mental health problems together with suggestions on accessing treatment?
If you would like to explore starting private CBT or Counselling in Exeter, you can find our current therapy fees here, or contact us for more information and to book an initial appointment with one of our Therapists.
