NHS Talking Therapies, the new name for all improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT)

In 2008 new NHS IAPT services were launched that made a simple promise to the public – to provide effective psychological therapies to far more people experiencing the most common mental health problems: anxiety and depression. Immediately before this the average waiting time for psychological therapy on the NHS was 18 months. Now it is just a few weeks. The new services had three qualities embedded: that they would provide psychological therapies recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, with well-trained and supervised therapists, and would track and publish outcomes for every service. This promise remains the same, although the name of the services is changing.

Over the years, however, the NHS has been aware that naming the services “Improving Access to Psychological Therapies” is not the most appealing or clear. The name described a policy ambition but said little about the nature of the service. 

So, the NHS are excited about launching its new name NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression. This was chosen after a public consultation with close to 4,000 responses and a series of focus groups led by an independent research group. All services will carry this title, demonstrating their alignment to the promise that they make to the public. The new name gives them a great opportunity to renew our information for the public about these services, to show that they are available to help and what they offer.

You can read more about this change on the NHS website here.