Good to Talk · Getting proper help · Free. Always.
Your first therapy appointment
If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need urgent mental-health help but it is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental-health option.
You do not need your life story organised into a PowerPoint.
What you need to know
You do not need your life story organised into a PowerPoint. The first job is usually understanding what is happening, relevant history, impact, goals and safety where appropriate. Ask about confidentiality, how the therapy works, session frequency and what is expected between sessions.
Make it a conversation, not a test
You are allowed to ask questions, explain what matters to you and say when something is not helping. Mental-health care should be based on your needs, circumstances and appropriate clinical assessment.
Keep going
Getting proper help · Talking to your GP · NHS Talking Therapies
Sources & further reading
- NHS — mental health treatments
- NHS — talking therapies
- NHS — antidepressants
- NICE — depression in adults
Educational information only. Treatment should be based on an individual assessment with an appropriate healthcare professional.