If you need support there are several ways of accessing talking therapies including:

  • Cardiac Rehab: some have links with psychological support.
  • Employee Assistance Programme: if you are working, it’s worth checking with your Human Resources or Occupational Health Department, to see if they provide Talking Therapies free, as part of their employee benefits.
  • Free NHS Talking Therapies: these services were initially known as IAPT services (Increasing Access to Psychological Therapies) and each geographical area developed its own service and own names. All these services now have one name format – name of area, Talking Therapies (eg Manchester Talking Therapies and Ealing Talking Therapies):

Key information

  • Talking Therapies is a free NHS service, for everyone with a mild to moderate mental health issue.
  • GP or self-referral – self-referral is quicker using online referral forms or telephone.
  • After your referral you will be contacted for an assessment, this is usually by telephone and lasts 30-40 minutes (usually from a withheld number). During the appointment you will be asked about your difficulties and treatment options will be discussed.
  • If appropriate for Talking Therapies, you will be placed on a waiting list for Talking Therapies step 2 or step 3 interventions. Step 2 – shorter term therapy (around 6 sessions). Step 3 – longer term more intensive therapy (sessions lengths vary between services but generally 6-12 sessions). Services offer a range of therapies usually including CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Counselling for Depression, Couples and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) (more detail about therapies below). You may also be offered a group intervention.
  • Unfortunately, waits for therapy can be long, particularly for step 3 therapy, so it’s good to get yourself referred as quickly as possible, even if you decide at a later date you no longer require the service.
  • Services should offer priority access for perinatal clients (pregnant or a parent with a child under 2 years old).
  • You can access private therapy near to where you live for face-to-face sessions or you may find online is more accessible for you. The cost is very variable from £50-£200+ per session. To find a therapist go to trusted sources, where you will find accredited practitioners:

There are a number of different therapies offered by the NHS and private therapies. This is a list of the main ones:

  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) – rather than you are what you eat, instead CBT believes you are what you think! How we perceive the world (thoughts), influences how we feel and then how we behave. Changing how we think, feel or behave can help our mental health. CBT is the suggested treated for depression, anxiety and PTSD. What is CBT? – BABCP
  • Counselling – this gives you the opportunity to process your thoughts and feelings in a safe space. Counsellors do not give advice but allow you to find your own solutions. Counselling is less directive than CBT. Counselling is suggested for grief and depression. What is counselling?
  • EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) helps people to reprocess distressing memories, often using guided eye movements (following a therapist's finger or light). It can help you to think differently about a traumatic memory. EMDR is suggested particularly for PTSD. The basics – EMDR UK Association

If you feel that you need help straight away, here are links to key Mental Health & Support Services

  • In an emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance, or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your local hospital
  • Get advice from NHS 111 or seek an urgent appointment with your GP
  • Get support from a helpline such as The Samaritans: Telephone:116 123 (24 hours a day) Email: jo@samaritans.org

Families and friends

Families and friends can also be affected by SCAD and this page offers some advice.

And if you have lost a loved one, you may find our Bereavement page helpful.

Of course, friends and family can also make their own referral to their local NHS Talking Therapy Service or pay for private therapy.