A WARRINGTON therapy provider hasn’t let successive lockdowns get in the way of supporting people through anxiety and depression.
Workers at Psychological Wellbeing Services, which can offer free support to people registered with a Warrington GP, were initially concerned that with face-to-face contact paused, their help might be less effective.
But latest figures have revealed that in February 2021 – during lockdown – Psychological Wellbeing Service saw a 91 per cent recovery rate in the people who completed two or more sessions with them.
Operated by national adult health and social care charity Making Space, which is based in Warrington, the service provides cCBT, or computerised cognitive behavioural therapy, to people living with mild/moderate anxiety, depression or stress.
Before the pandemic, the service operated at a number of Warrington GP surgeries. People looking for support with their mental health would complete a number of tasks and worksheets on a computer, before attending a follow up session with a psychological wellbeing practitioner.
But since March last year, people have only been able to access support from their own homes, via a phone, electronic tablet, or computer. Follow up sessions have been conducted by video call or voice call, depending on preference.
Sarah Booth (pictured), a psychological wellbeing practitioner with the service, said: “At the start of the pandemic, all we could focus on was what we had lost. In counselling and therapy terms, that meant face-to-face sessions, and we all assumed that would be devastating.
“But as time went on, we started to get the sense that the support we provide was just as effective over the phone. When February’s results came through, we were delighted to see that our gut feeling proved to be correct.”
Sarah says that the service has learned a lot by shifting the way it operates during the pandemic.
“For people living with anxiety, depression, or other mental health challenges, sometimes coming into a doctor’s surgery for an appointment can be too much of a mountain to climb.
“Attending a face-to-face appointment can also be difficult for people with caring responsibilities, or transport or mobility issues.
“We are looking into offering a hybrid service in the future, with people able to choose whether they would like to attend in person, or from home. In this way, we can offer the best of both worlds.”
Sarah says that the number of people not turning up to their appointments – known as DNAs or did not attends – is also at a record low.
You can ask your GP for a referral to Psychological Wellbeing Services or email [email protected] or call 01925 581755.
