NHS England: Adult Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme

Summary

The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme began in 2008 and has transformed the treatment of adult anxiety disorders and depression in England. 

IAPT services offer:

• talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, other therapies, and guided self-help
• help for common mental health problems, like anxiety and depression.

Content

IAPT services are characterised by three things:

• Evidenced-based psychological therapies: with the therapy delivered by fully trained and accredited practitioners, matched to the mental health problem and its intensity and duration designed to optimise outcomes. From April 2018 all clinical commissioning groups are required to offer IAPT services integrated with physical healthcare pathways. The IAPT Pathway for People with Long-term Physical Health Conditions and Medically Unexplained Symptoms guidance is intended to help with implementation and sets out the ideal pathway for IAPT services.
• Routine outcome monitoring: so that the person having therapy and the clinician offering it have up-to-date information on an individual’s progress. This supports the development of a positive and shared approach to the goals of therapy and as this data is anonymised and published this promotes transparency in service performance encouraging improvement.
• Regular and outcomes focused supervision so practitioners are supported to continuously improve and deliver high quality care.

If you live in England and are aged 18 or over, you can access NHS psychological therapies (IAPT) services.

A GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself directly without a referral.