Let's Talk: Soothe Stress and Anxiety

This course will help people develop ways of dealing with stress and anxiety. By the end of the course you should have: · an understanding of anxiety and its causes and impact on your life. · an ability to recognise the physical effects of anxiety · learnt relaxation and breathing techniques · learnt problem solving skills · learnt to identify helpful and unhelpful thoughts · learnt to challenge negative thinking and manage unhelpful thoughts · learnt time management skills and helpful behaviours and life skills · learnt how to say no and be more assertive · learnt the importance of sleep hygiene, diet, exercise and work life balance. · learnt about maintenance cycles · learnt a blueprint for relapse

IAPT is a new psychological service offered by the NHS in England. It stands for Improving Access to Psychological Therapies and aims to help people access talking therapies easily and quickly. Anyone can access the IAPT service which in Gloucestershire is called Let’s Talk and is run by the 2gether NHS Foundation Trust. Let’s Talk is running a series of courses to help you improve your wellbeing. Most courses run from between 6 - 8 weeks and take place in the evenings from 6-8pm. Some courses will be run during the day. Groups consist of around 15 - 20 people and everyone on that course will have similar difficulties to you. It is useful to be able to share your problems and learn from others too. The course will have 2 facilitators who will be there to guide you and support you in your discovery of how to be your own therapist. We will work safely, bound by confidentiality and respect for one another. During the course you will be given a series of questionnaires which will help you monitor your progress and allow therapists to assist you in a more personal way. You will be taught to acknowledge and challenge your thoughts or behaviours through a series of exercises and tasks that have been proven to help. They are based on what is known as cognitive behavioural therapy. All we ask is your willingness to have a go and show a commitment by attending every session and be punctual. You will also be asked to practice a few tasks in between sessions to help with your understanding. The course is free but a small charge may be made for literature.

These courses are available to adults over the aged of 19 on 1 September of the relevant academic year. Entry criteria is only by referral from a medical practitioner to the new IAPT service (see below). You should ring the service on 0800 0732200 to find our more information and request a place.

Professionals from the Primary Care Trust will advise suitability of follow on courses.