Ready For Therapy?

What does readiness mean?

Therapy is a collaborative space for reflection and learning new skills, which can be challenging but also empowering. You do not need to be at a point of crisis or burnout, many people come to therapy when they are overwhelmed, stuck and needing a change. Having a willingness to explore and be curious to your experience is enough, even if there is uncertainty.

Therapy may not be a quick fix and will not directly tell you what to do, but will help you to consider realistic goals that can be a focus for the sessions.

Below is a video created by NHS Cheshire and Merseyside to help understand what therapy may involve, how to get the best out of sessions and how Talking Therapies may help to support you in your next steps to recovery.

Are you ready for therapy?

We want you to get the most from therapy and achieve the best possible outcomes. Before you continue, please take a few moments to reflect on the statements below.

If you can answer "yes" to most of these, you are likely to be in a good position to benefit from therapy. If some of these feel difficult at the moment, it may simply mean that now isn't the right time to begin. That's okay- we'll be here when you're ready.

I am open to curiously exploring my difficulties in a safe and contained environment with a therapist
I want to change aspects of my life as they are having a detrimental impact on the quality of my life and I think talking therapies will help me to do this
I am willing to learn new ways/perspectives to help improve my emotional wellbeing
I understand therapy can be challenging and is a journey. I am in a position to put in the effort required to understand my difficulties better and move forward.
If required I am able to dedicate time to regularly practice the things I learn in therapy in between sessions.
I can commit to therapy on an ongoing weekly/biweekly basis (dependent on therapeutic intervention) and will be able to prioritise this in my life
I am able to share adaptations I may require to make the most of my therapeutic journey

When therapy might not be the right step just now

Sometimes we are ready for a change, but it can feel daunting to make change.

There may also be other challenges, such as housing, substance use, feeling unsafe etc, where other forms of support may be more beneficial right now. This doesn't mean that therapy can't be revisited in the future, but there may be other options that could be more effective and comfortable for you right now.

Our useful resources page has a number of local services that could be helpful.

Making a referral

I'm ready to self refer

You can click this box to self refer or alternatively you can call us on 01234 880400.

Professional referral

If you are a GP or alternative professional looking to refer someone, please use this form and email elft.btt-hcp@nhs.net.