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Mental Health and Support Services Information

BABCP does not offer a therapy or counselling service. The staff based in our head office are not able to provide individual or emergency support for people in crisis. If you are experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help.

How can I get to see a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist?

First step - Discuss the problem with your doctor. They will be able to advise you on access to local resources and refer you on if appropriate.

Many CBT practitioners work in the NHS. However, some areas still have limited resources and may have long waiting lists for treatment. Some practitioners provide CBT privately as self employed therapists or through private clinics. Some may require a referral from your doctor or other health professional but some will accept self referrals.

CBT Register UK & Ireland

BABCP provides accreditation to those who practise CBT in the NHS and privately. It is widely recognised by health and social care employers, training institutions and health insurance companies. BABCP believes that accreditation is important in protecting the public and raising the quality of CBT. Details of BABCP accredited CBT therapists can be found online.

Please note that other practitioners offering CBT may be registered by other reputable bodies.

Find a BABCP Accredited therapist


If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.

Get advice from 111 or seek an urgent appointment with your GP. You can access the 111 service online.

111 will tell you the right place to get help. You may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone.

A GP can advise you about helpful treatments and also help you access mental health services. You may be able to refer yourself to some services.




BABCP is not responsible for the advice provided by third party organisations. The following information is provided for signposting purposes only:

Anxiety UK

A user-led organisation, run by people with experience of living with anxiety, stress or anxiety-based depression, supported by a high-profile medical advisory panel. We work to relieve and support those living with anxiety and anxiety-based depression by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy.

Telephone: 03444 775 774 (Mon-Fri: 9.30am-5.30pm)

Text: 07537 416905

Website

CALM

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against male suicide.

Telephone: 0800 58 58 58

Webchat (5pm to midnight)

Website

Mind 

Mind provides confidential mental health information services. The Infoline gives information on types of mental distress, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy.

Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Monday to Friday)

Email: info@mind.org.uk

Website

Rethink Mental Illness

Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff.

Telephone: 0808 801 0525 (10am-1pm Monday to Friday)

Email: info@rethink.org

Website

Samaritans

Provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.

Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day)

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Website

Saneline

National mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.

Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (4pm to 10pm every day)

Website

Silverline

Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Telephone: 0800 470 8090

Website

ChildLine

Private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen.

Telephone: 0800 1111

1-2-1 chat

Website

NSPCC

NSPCC is the UK's leading children's charity, and provides resources for the mental wellbeing of children, as well as online links to counselling services.

Telephone: 0808 800 5000

Email: help@nspcc.org.uk

Website

PAPYRUS

PAPYRUS is the national UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.

Telephone: 0800 068 41 41

Text: 07860 039 967

Website

Place2Be

Place2Be provides mental health support for children in schools, as well as free mental health training and services for under 18s.

Website

YoungMinds

YoungMinds is a support service for young people, with a range of resources and support available for young people as well as parents, carers, and those who work with young people.

Telephone: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am - 4pm)

Website (Online chat service available)

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