IAPT stands for improving access to psychological therapies. We offer talking therapies for people over 18 who live in or have a GP in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.
We help you with common problems like stress, anxiety and depression. It could be you are feeling low, having trouble sleeping, or feeling frightened.
At Back on Track, we use different talking therapies to help you feel better. Our sessions are structured and take place over a short time, usually about 8 to 10 weeks.
We use evidence-based therapies. This means there's proof they're likely to make you feel better. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is one we use a lot.
Treatment options
You can access therapy in different ways. It can be face-to-face, in groups, over the phone, using video chat on your mobile device, smartphone or computer.
We also offer online written therapy.
As there are lots of treatment options, we need to check which one is best for you. We’ll do this in a phone call.
Where to start
You can ask for a referral from your GP or any other health or social care professional. They’ll fill in a form explaining how you are feeling.
Making a referral
To refer to the service, you will need to complete this referral form
Ask for advice
We are happy to offer guidance on who would benefit from an IAPT service. If you are unsure, please get in touch via email to: Wlm-TR.Backontrack@nhs.net before making a referral.
About IAPT
IAPT is an improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) service.
Each borough has an IAPT service.
The service is for adults (and older adults) over 18 years of age, registered with a GP in the borough who have anxiety or depression, and who are likely to benefit from brief psychological therapy.
This is not a crisis service, if your patient has an acute need or is in crisis, they should be referred through our SPA service.
What IAPT offers
Individual and group psychological therapies in accordance with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for common mental health problems.
All referrals to service are screened to confirm this is the most appropriate service at this time. If screened as appropriate, the client is offered an assessment with one of our staff, either on the phone or face-to-face.
We offer signposting to other services where these are appropriate to the needs of the client.
Who IAPT can see
We can help service users with mild to moderate mental health issues. These include:
- Depression
- Panic disorder
- Generalised anxiety disorder
- Health anxiety and medically unexplained symptoms
- Social phobia/anxiety
- Specific phobia
- Single incident post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Insomnia
- Low self-esteem
- Post-natal depression.
Service users need to be:
- Motivated to attend and engage in regular psychological therapy
- A low level of risk to themselves and others.
Who IAPT can’t see
Service users with the following mental health conditions are unlikely to benefit from the brief, structured help we provide.
We cannot see people where there is:
- Active risk of harm to self, current suicidal intent or recent suicide attempt or if still in crisis
- Active risk of harm to others or recent history of violence
- Ongoing, active, or relapsing symptoms of social emotional health needs, psychosis, manic or hypomanic episodes
- A diagnosed personality disorder or personality traits that would make engagement in a brief psychological intervention likely to be ineffective, unhelpful and contravene NICE guidance
- Complex needs requiring multi-disciplinary input or longer-term psychological input. Examples include severe OCD, chronic agoraphobia, complex PTSD, such as following repeated/ongoing trauma or victims of significant torture
- Drug and alcohol misuse as a primary problem
,or level of misuse likely to prevent engagement in regular psychological therapy - Significant psychosocial or physical health factors which prevent engagement in regular psychological therapy or require input from a multi-disciplinary team. For example, where there are ongoing physical health investigations or legal cases
- Where ongoing home visits are required.
How to refer yourself to IAPT
You can refer yourself for treatment by completing in a simple online form.
If your GP or health visitor has suggested you self-refer, you can fill in the form)
You must be:
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Over 18
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Registered with a GP in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, or GP at Hand, or live in the borough.
If you're not in Hammersmith and Fulham, find your nearest IAPT service.
Refer yourself online or by calling us on 0300 123 1156.
Problems we treat
You want help with emotional difficulties like:
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Low mood/depression
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Anxiety
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Worry
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Stress
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Panic attacks
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Low self-esteem
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Specific fears (phobias)
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Postnatal depression.
What happens after referral
We'll contact you by phone. We'll aim to contact you within 1 to 2 weeks, but in some cases it may take slightly longer. The first phone call will be to book an assessment.
Assessment
In the assessment call, we’ll find out more about the difficulties you’ve been having and check we’re the right service for you.
The phone call will take about 30 to 60 minutes.
Treatment plan
If we’re the best service for you, we’ll talk you through the different options and agree a plan. We'll explain how long it will last and what you’ll need to do.
We’ll put this in writing so you can see what we have agreed.
You can expect to wait between 2 to 5 months to start treatment, depending on the type of treatment you need and your availability.
Signposting
After talking to you, the therapist might decide that none of our treatments are right for you. If so, they’ll let you know what to do next.
When not to self-refer
You shouldn’t self-refer if:
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You’re already being treated for a mental health problem by a different service, doctor or nurse team
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You have a diagnosis of psychosis, schizophrenia
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You misuse drugs or alcohol
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You’re currently in crisis and require urgent support.
If any of these apply to you and you need help, speak to someone in your healthcare team – your GP or health care professional – about how you're feeling.
Below you will see treatment options that can be offered at Back on Track. However, we can’t guarantee that all of these options will be offered to you. The option offered will be in line with what you discuss during your appointment, your preferences, and the NHS NICE guidelines for the treatment of mental health concerns.
Group Treatment: Cognitive Behavioural therapy groups are currently on offer for:
- Stress
- Parents with post-natal mental health concerns
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Social anxiety
- Low self-esteem and mindfulness-based groups.
• Each session is facilitated by two therapists, mostly in the evenings, from 1.5-2 hours in duration.
• Sessions are longer than one to one so can go into more depth and offer more time in therapy than 1:1 treatment
• Receive immediate support from other people with shared experiences
• Many people are surprised at how much positive change they can achieve in a group setting.
“I was very surprised the learning was very personal with multiple people in the group. I really enjoyed listening to other people's experiences and making connections with myself over and over again. I could relate to other people's experiences.”
Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Back Online)
Same content and time in therapy as 1:1 treatment.
• You can work through at your own pace, around a busy life, using any digital device.
• Flexible to fit with your lifestyle and access to the platform for 1 year after sessions are
completed.
• You’ll also have a dedicated therapist who will give weekly feedback, guidance, and support.
“This was a great experience, and I’m really thankful. My therapist gave thoughtful feedback on my modules, and I felt like the course was structured in a very helpful way.”
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy through Guided Self-Help (GSH)
• A short block of 6 one-to-one sessions with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP)
• Sessions can be by telephone, video call, or face-to-face
• Your PWP will use written materials and booklets to help guide the sessions to support you in creating a tool kit of strategies to navigate and support your wellbeing moving forward.
“In this short time, I’ve learned so much about myself and my issues. This has given me the tools to go forward in life with a positive outlook. Before this everything seemed impossible, now I know things are possible.”
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• A block of one-to-one sessions (8-12) with a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT)
• Sessions can be by telephone, video call, or face-to-face
• Used to treat a range of specific or persistent mental health difficulties.
“I can’t begin to find words that would adequately cover the friendly, professional, sessions that I received. The techniques taught to control the trauma, fear, and anxiety I will carry forward and I would like to wholeheartedly thank my therapist for all her help.”
Counselling for depression
• A block of time-limited one to one sessions with a counsellor
• Sessions can be by telephone, video call or face to face
• Counselling offers an open space to talk through problems or situations that are causing you distress.
Other therapies
There are also some other specialized therapies available which would be discussed with you at the assessment if appropriate.
We can offer guided self-help and one-to-one therapy in a range of languages.
We currently have therapists who can offer assessments and therapy in a range of languages, which can be discussed when booking your appointment.
We don’t currently deliver any workshops or groups in languages other than English.
Interpreters
If we can’t provide a therapist who speaks your language, we’ll organise for an interpreter to be present for therapy sessions.
Back on Track is a service offered by West London NHS Trust. We work in partnership with 4 other organisations to provide talking therapies in Hammersmith and Fulham.
When you are referred to Back on Track, where appropriate your information may be shared with these organisations.
West London Centre for Counselling
West London Centre for Counselling (WLCC) is a voluntary organisation that provides free, confidential counselling service to people who live in or are registered with a GP in Hammersmith and Fulham. WLCC was established to provide a counselling service for people living or working in West London and also to promote the understanding of counselling through education and training.
Visit the WLCC website.
Richmond Fellowship and Twining Enterprise
Richmond Fellowship and Twining Enterprise provide employment support to primary care services in Hammersmith and Fulham. They also provide recovery and wellbeing support, including advice, peer support, befriending and digital and online support forums.
Visit the Richmond Fellowship website.
Visit the Twining Enterprise website.
Xyla Digital Therapies
Xyla Digital Therapies provides telephone assessments and treatments, using highly qualified therapists. The service is patient-centred and has a focus on providing the best care available at a time convenient and comfortable for you.
Visit the Xyla Digital Therapies website.
Self-help leaflets and websites can help you learn more about your difficulties. In turn, this can help you look after yourself and feel more in control of your feelings.
We can recommend these resources. They are up to date, accurate and offer helpful, safe information.
For a range of self-help leaflets you can download in accessible formats, listen to, or watch with British Sign Language (BSL).
You can download a range of worksheets on common conditions from the Centre for Clinical Investigations.
Local sources of support
The Carers Network
The Carers Network supports unpaid adult carers looking after someone over 18 who is living in Hammersmith and Fulham. Visit the Carers Network website
Action on Disability supports
Adults, their families or carers who may be entitled to or are receiving Adult Social Care. HAFAD (Hammersmith and Fulham Action for Disability) provides the service and it is available to those who live in or use services of Hammersmith and Fulham Council. Visit the Action on Disability website.
Mental health and wellbeing websites
- Women and Girls Network
- Mental Health Foundation
- Action For Happiness
- Every Mind Matters
- Mind
- Get Self Help
- Talk Plus
- Good Thinking
- Mindout (for LGBTQ+ communities)
- Lifesigns (support for self-harm)
- Living with Chronic Pain
- No More Panic
- Carers UK
- Turn2us (benefits advice)
Lower-cost longer term counselling
The following organisations are examples of long-term therapy and counselling services in London that might offer reduced or means-tested rates for their therapy sessions. This is not an exhaustive list and we are unable to endorse any specific organisations. Visit their websites to find out more:
- British Association of Psychotherapists
- Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy (CCPE)
- Ealing Abbey Counselling Service
- Fresh Start Psychotherapy
- Help Counselling
- London Counselling and Psychotherapy (LACAP)
- Metanoia Institute
- Mind/Headstrong
- Minster Centre
- Psychosynthesis and Education Trust
- Relate Counselling (Couple Counselling)
- Re-Vision
- Waterloo Community Counselling
- Westminster Pastoral Foundation (WPF)
- Women’s Trust (Domestic Violence Intervention)
Useful resources to download
We value your feedback as it helps us monitor and improve our services and deliver better patient-centred care.
Please take a few moments to let us know what you think of our services by completing our online friends and family test survey. (Please quote Back on Track).