Both of these services provide a wide range of evidence-based mental health services that are recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The team of qualified therapists at these services offer various therapy options, including Guided Self Help, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Person Centred Experiential Counselling (PCEC). These therapies are delivered in one-on-one sessions, groups, workshops, and digitally, ensuring that clients have access to the support that suits their needs.
The impact of these therapy sessions has been remarkable, with clients finding support and relief from issues such as anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep problems, panic attacks, low self-esteem, health anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, post-natal depression and anxiety, body dysmorphia, long-term physical health conditions, chronic pain, and low mood.
The services also strive to find innovative ways to support their clients. For example, the Talking Therapies Wakefield service offers on-demand Wellness Webinars covering topics such as Managing Low Mood, Strategies to Improve Your Sleep, and Managing Worry. These webinars have been a great success, and the service plans to introduce many more in the future.
It is important to note that these services are provided free of charge and are available to anyone over the age of 16 residing in Wakefield or Luton. This accessibility ensures that individuals from all backgrounds can benefit from these valuable resources.
What makes this achievement even more significant is the fact that the services have now joined a select group of organisations across the country that have achieved accreditation with the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The Accreditation Programme for Psychological Therapies Services, which is a collaboration between the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the British Psychological Society, recognises services that uphold high standards and share best practices to facilitate service improvement.
The accreditation process involves the submission of an extensive evidence portfolio, a review of therapeutic performance, staff and client surveys, as well as a peer review by external professionals. It is a rigorous process that ensures that the accredited services consistently meet the highest standards of care.
Stories of two individuals whose lives were changed for the better through the Wakefield and Luton services
Claire was referred to Wakefield Talking Therapies by her GP and received support on two separate occasions after the birth of her children. She is now a Peer Mentor at Turning Point.
“I wasn’t sure what I was dealing with. I started my therapy by attending anxiety workshops, but I realised these weren’t working for me as I couldn’t relate fully to the anxiety side. I went back to the doctors and was diagnosed with depression, so moved to one to one therapy sessions. This helped me understand what was happening and why, and the importance of looking after myself. I still apply some of the lessons learned during this time.
“The second time was as a self-referral as I was aware of the triggers and symptoms and what needed to be done. My second experience was remote CBT and focusing on keeping myself on track. Sarah (therapist) recognised signs that I hadn’t and gave me the tools and techniques I needed.
“I was lucky to have a great support network that were amazing and very important in my recovery, but I also needed the help of the professionals too.”
Recognising the impact of the support she received, Claire became a Peer Mentor at Turning Point, a role recommended by her therapist. Claire found fulfillment in helping others through similar journeys. She underwent training, attended various events, and is now growing in confidence in her role as a Peer Mentor.
Halima, another success story, received trauma-based CBT at the Luton service after she experienced three road traffic accidents within three months. The accidents left her crippled with anxiety, experiencing daily thoughts of a foreshortened future and debilitating flashbacks.
“Over the course of ten sessions, I was eventually able to really feel as though the traumatic incident was in the past, a memory. Sonia, my therapist, helped me to process my thoughts clearly, whereby I no longer believe my life will be foreshortened and I no longer believe I’m unsafe in the car.
“I am now approximately three weeks post Total Wellbeing Luton therapy and am pleased to say I am no longer crippled with anxiety. I’m now driving confidently again, I have even started to slowly build up my confidence with dual carriage ways!”
This recognition validates our ongoing commitment to deliver exceptional quality psychological therapies to our clients.
Deana Kirkby, Turning Point National Operations Manager for Talking Therapies, expressed her pride and delight at the accreditation, stating that it validates their commitment to delivering exceptional quality psychological therapies to their clients.
Jeremy Wainman, NHS Lead for Adult Mental Health and Dementia in West Yorkshire, conveyed his warmest congratulations to Turning Point Talking Therapies, admiring their high-quality service and effective treatments, as acknowledged by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' accreditation.
Felicity Cox, Chief Executive of Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, praised Total Wellbeing Luton for their outstanding achievement and recognised the service's dedication to providing compassionate and effective care that meets the needs of the people of Luton.
Julie Bass, Turning Point Chief Executive, said:
"The standard of our services means everything to us at Turning Point. Our Wakefield Talking Therapies service has been recognised by our clients and leading industry experts as providing high quality therapeutic treatment that is evidence-based and delivered by knowledgeable and skilled professionals.
"This is a wonderful birthday present for the organisation which turns 60 this year."Both of these services provide a wide range of evidence-based mental health services that are recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines. The team of qualified therapists at these services offer various therapy options, including Guided Self Help, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), and Person Centred Experiential Counselling (PCEC). These therapies are delivered in one-on-one sessions, groups, workshops, and digitally, ensuring that clients have access to the support that suits their needs.
The impact of these therapy sessions has been remarkable, with clients finding support and relief from issues such as anxiety, stress, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), sleep problems, panic attacks, low self-esteem, health anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, post-natal depression and anxiety, body dysmorphia, long-term physical health conditions, chronic pain, and low mood.
The services also strive to find innovative ways to support their clients. For example, the Talking Therapies Wakefield service offers on-demand Wellness Webinars covering topics such as Managing Low Mood, Strategies to Improve Your Sleep, and Managing Worry. These webinars have been a great success, and the service plans to introduce many more in the future.