{"id":13,"date":"2023-03-03T11:57:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T11:57:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/oxfordhealth.nhs.uk\/talking-therapies-oxon\/?page_id=13"},"modified":"2026-06-09T17:40:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T16:40:43","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/oxfordhealth.nhs.uk\/oxon-talking-therapies\/about\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently asked questions"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you have a question not answered here, please feel free to contact us on 01865 901 222 or by email at oxon-talking-therapies@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk<\/a><\/p>\n

Getting help<\/h2>\n
\n \n How do I get help?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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You can access the service in a number of ways, which can be found\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n

If you are aged between 16-18 you will need to go through Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) spa team by contacting 01865 902515 (during normal working hours).<\/p>\n

You can also email\u00a0OxonCAMHSSPA@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk<\/a> or visit\u00a0oxfordhealth.nhs.uk\/camhs\/oxon\/<\/a>\u00a0for detailed information.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n How much does it cost?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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NHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies is part of the NHS and is a free service to anyone who is eligible and wants our treatment within Oxfordshire.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n How do I know if I am eligible?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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We see patients aged 16 or over who are registered with a GP surgery in Oxfordshire.<\/p>\n

We are trained to treat people with common mental health problems, therefore if you are experiencing a severe mental health episode or have a diagnosis such as Schizophrenia or Bipolar disorder, we are not the most appropriate service for you. In this case we will discuss a referral to other local services.<\/p>\n

You will also need to complete a telephone assessment, in special circumstances we are able to arrange face-to-face assessments if needed, for example due to hearing difficulties. The clinician will be able to assess your current needs and discuss the most appropriate support with you.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n Am I eligible if I see a private GP?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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It is becoming more common that people may decide to see a private GP, this can be for many reasons including convenience. This does not exclude people from accessing treatment elsewhere in the NHS as they would do usually. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust ask, however, that anyone using our services when registered with a private GP also register with a local GP. This does not stop patients accessing care via their private GP if they so wish. This allows local service to liaise with a local GP if the need arises to ensure we are coordinating the best possible care for people using our services.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n What if I am in urgent need of help?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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If you or someone else, needs urgent help or feel at any kind of risk, please click\u00a0here<\/u><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0for crisis contact information.<\/p>\n

We would encourage you to reach out for support immediately.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n How long does it take to get an appointment?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Once you have contacted us, our team will screen your mental health records to look at any current or past history. If they have any questions they will make contact with you to determine if an assessment would be appropriate.<\/p>\n

We aim to process your referral within 48 hours and then would aim to get you booked into a telephone assessment as soon as possible, often within 3 \u2013 5 days. Face-to-face assessments are also available for people with for example hearing difficulties or learning difficulties such as being unable to have long conversations on the phone.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

All about treatment<\/h2>\n
\n \n What is a NHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies assessment?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Our telephone assessments usually take up to 40 minutes. We would expect that you would be in a private and quiet area, so that you can speak freely and without distractions.<\/p>\n

Due to our policy at NHS Oxfordshire Talking Therapies and for your safety, we are unable to speak with you whilst you are driving. Even if you are using hands-free communication we would still be unable to go ahead with the call unless you were able to pull over and stop at a safe location.<\/p>\n

The assessment is a structured call and covers a range of screening questions to determine your current difficulties and support needs, as well as deciding whether we can provide you with appropriate support or if another service would be better suited to your needs.<\/p>\n

To make the assessment as straightforward as possible, we would please ask you to complete the questionnaires in advance of your appointment. Questionnaires can be found here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

We do have to cover some sensitive questions during the assessment, which will be about you and your family which you may find difficult to answer, however we have to ask these to ensure that we fully understand your current situation to be able to provide you with the best support.<\/p>\n

Our clinicians are trained to support you with answering difficult questions and if you need to take a moment then please do say so.<\/p>\n

Where possible we would encourage you to have something scheduled in after the assessment call to look forward to, such as a relaxing or pleasurable activity eg. having a hot drink, listening to music, going for a walk, speaking to a friend.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n What are the treatment options?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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Following your assessment we will be able to discuss treatment options or next steps with you.<\/p>\n

For more information about the treatment options we offer at please click here<\/a>.<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n If I am offered treatment what should I expect?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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You can expect regular sessions with the same clinician. During sessions you will work together to help you reach your goals and you will develop ideas for things you can try outside your sessions \u2013 putting things into practice between sessions will be an important part of therapy.<\/p>\n

You will be expected to attend your sessions and to let your therapist know in advance if, for any reason, you are unable to attend.<\/p>\n

In order for treatment to work well it is important you attend your sessions. If for any reason you are unable to attend your session it is important to let your therapist know in advance (e.g. if you are unwell, have childcare problems).<\/p>\n

However, we do have a policy where if you miss two or more appointments, you may be discharged and you will have to re-refer if further treatment is required.<\/p>\n

Getting ready for therapy leaflet<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n Do you treat insomnia?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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We do not treat insomnia as a “stand alone” diagnosis. We consider sleep difficulties when a service user is also reporting depression\/anxiety.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

What does it mean?<\/h2>\n
\n \n What does CBT mean?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It is a psychological treatment for both depression and different anxiety disorders.<\/p>\n

CBT is a practical and structured approach that provides coping strategies which you can try out with our support.<\/p>\n

CBT helps people to see how their thoughts affect how they feel and how they behave.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/details>\n

\n \n What do we mean by talking therapies?<\/span>\n <\/summary>\n
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The treatment we offer is predominantly based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but we also offer other talking therapies when clinically appropriate.<\/p>\n

CBT talking therapy helps you to:<\/p>\n