NHS Talking Therapies service in Luton

An NHS Talking Therapies service in Luton has been recognised for its exceptional quality of service by receiving accreditation from the national professional body for psychiatrists.

Total Wellbeing Luton, which is run by health and social care provider Turning Point, in partnership with Active Luton, offers a wide-range of evidence-based mental health services that are recommended by National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines.

A team of qualified therapists provide 1:1 and group sessions, workshops and support is also available digitally.

The service helps people struggling with issues such as anxiety, stress, obsessive compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, sleep problems, panic attacks, low self-esteem, health anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, post-natal depression and anxiety, body dysmorphia, long-term physical health conditions, chronic pain and low mood.

Delivered on behalf of the NHS, the service is free for anyone over the age of 16 and living in Luton.

The service is one of a small number across the country to have achieved accreditation from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The Accreditation Programme for Psychological Therapies Services, which is a collaboration between the RCPsych and the British Psychological Society, recognises services that have high standards and share best practice to facilitate service improvement.

The accreditation process involved the submission of an extensive evidence portfolio, a review of therapeutic performance (patient reported outcome measures), staff and client surveys as well as a peer review by external professionals.

Halima received trauma-based CBT at the Luton service after she was left “crippled with anxiety” due to having three road traffic accidents in the space of three months.

“I had daily thoughts of a foreshortened future and flashbacks. I struggled to find enjoyment in my life and couldn’t relax,” said Halima.

“The flashbacks and my thoughts made me feel as though the accidents, that happened one-and-a-half years ago, were happening in real time every day. I would feel physically hot, sweaty, palpitating, clenched jaws and shoulder pains.

“Over the course of ten sessions, I was eventually able to really feel as though the traumatic incident was in the past, a memory. Sonia, my therapist, helped me to process my thoughts clearly, whereby I no longer believe my life will be foreshortened and I no longer believe I’m unsafe in the car.

“I am now approximately three weeks post Total Wellbeing Luton therapy and am pleased to say I am no longer crippled with anxiety. I’m now driving confidently again, I have even started to slowly build up my confidence with dual carriage ways!”

Deana Kirkby, Turning Point National Operations Manager for Talking Therapies, said:

“We are proud of the Talking Therapies Services we deliver and delighted that we have now received accreditation from the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

“This recognition validates our ongoing commitment to deliver exceptional quality psychological therapies to our clients.”

Felicity Cox, Chief Executive Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“This is an outstanding achievement for our Total Wellbeing Service and a testament to the great work that the team do every day for Luton people.

“The Royal College’s standards are exacting and by no means easy to meet. It shows that Total Wellbeing Luton provides a caring, effective, well-led service that responds to people’s needs. Congratulations, TWL!”

Julie Bass, Turning Point Chief Executive, said:

“The quality of our services means everything to us at Turning Point. Our Total Wellbeing Luton service has been recognised by our clients and leading industry experts as providing high quality therapeutic treatment that is evidence-based and delivered by knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

“This is a wonderful birthday present for the organisation which turns 60 this year.”