The Future of Mental
Health is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Network annual conference and
PsychologyOnline will be demonstrating how its unique approach to text-based
cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) will help commissioners to improve access to
therapy.
A key priority is to make
CBT more widely available. As an online
service, PsychologyOnline can accessed from home and appointments can be made
whenever is convenient for the service user.
PsychologyOnline uses
instant messaging to connect the user on a one-on-one basis with a highly qualified, UK-accredited therapist. Text-based CBT has
been found to be more effective than face-to-face therapy, particularly for
those who have chosen this option.
Barnaby Perks, chief
executive at PsychologyOnline, comments that many commissioners are using the
provisions of Any Qualified Provider to include the service within a portfolio
of offerings.
He says: “PsychologyOnline allows
greater flexibility in the way mental health services are delivered and this is
reflected in our excellent recovery rates among NHS patients. Our work across five CCG areas in Surrey has
shown recovery rates of more than 60% with 40% fewer sessions than traditional
therapies."
Among the keynote
speakers at the conference are Norman Lamb MP, the minister of state for care
and support, who will set out his priorities for mental health services. Also speaking is Sir David Nicholson, the
outgoing chief executive of NHS England, who started his career in mental
health and will use his insight to reveal the challenges facing the NHS going
forward.
The Future of Mental Health conference is to be held on Wednesday 26 March 2014 at Dexter House, near Tower
Hill in London. You can visit PsychologyOnline at stand six and follow
developments at conference on Twitter via #MHN2014.