If you would like to self refer for a telephone assessment click here
Who can access italk?
Anyone aged 16 and or over and who are registered with a GP in Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, New Forest, Test Valley and Winchester experiencing mild to moderate depression and/or anxiety.
How do you access italk?
italk currently accepts GP referrals and self-referrals.
GP referrals
Once you and your GP agree italk is the best option for you, your GP will send us a referral, but you will also need to contact us. We call this 'opt in’, which is the first step in your involvement with italk.
Self referrals
You are now able to self-refer to italk, this means you can contact us directly, without visiting your GP. This is now available in all localities (Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, New Forest, Test Valley & Winchester). To self-refer please call us on 023 8038 3920 or complete a self-referral website form here. Please note: if you provide an incorrect NHS number it may delay your case.
Once you have contacted us and 'opted in’, we will arrange a time for you to have an initial assessment with one of our Step 2 Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners. This will be over the telephone and at a time to suit you.
What can you expect?
The telephone assessment will involve you completing some questionnaires which your GP may have already shown you. They are used to assess your level of depression or anxiety and you complete them at every stage of your treatment plan. Our team use these to regularly review your treatment and ensure you are working efficiently towards recovery. Don’t worry though – they are quick to complete and will help you to see your progress over time as well.
Following your assessment, your Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner will discuss your individual needs and agree a programme of treatment with you. For most people, this will be with our Step 2 team who will provide treatment sessions by telephone; some people will require treatment from our Step 3 team which is delivered in face-to-face sessions. You will be assigned your own personal practitioner who will be skilled to support you for the duration of your treatment.
How long will it take?
Step 2 - initial assessment followed by an average of 5 telephone treatment sessions.
Step 3 - initial assessment at Step 2, followed by an average of 13 face-to-face treatment sessions.
You may find that you feel better sooner than expected, or you may choose to leave the service after fewer sessions than planned. Equally, you may find that things are not improving for you, in which case your practitioner will work with you to see if an onward referral to other services would be beneficial.
Generally, most people will complete their treatment and find that they have improved significantly. You will then be discharged from the service, and given the opportunity to provide feedback about your experience which we will use to develop and shape our service.
If you would like to self refer for a telephone assessment click here