Find an NHS Talking Therapies Service
Talking therapies can help with common mental health concerns like anxiety, stress and depression. In Sussex, NHS talking therapy services are free and easy to access - no GP referral needed in most cases.
Did you know?
You can self-refer to NHS talking therapies online - it’s simple, confidential, and tailored to your needs.
We strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, but tips may change over time. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalised advice and guidance.
Find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression
If you live in England and are aged 18 or over, you can access NHS talking therapies services for anxiety and depression.
Use this service to find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression you can refer yourself to.
You do not need to have a diagnosed mental health condition to refer yourself to NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression.
You can use this service to refer yourself if:
- you live in England
- you're aged 18 or over (and aged 16 or 17 in some areas)
If you're aged 17 or under, you can also find out about support through children and young people's mental health services.
About NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression
NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression are psychological treatments that may help if you:
- have persistent low mood
- often feel very anxious about lots of different things
- worry constantly about your health
- fear social situations
- have panic attacks
- have an overwhelming fear of something (phobias), including agoraphobia
- have obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD)
- have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- have body dysmorphic disorder (BDD)
They may also help if you have anxiety or depression and a long term health condition, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
To access NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression you can:
- refer yourself
- ask your GP to refer you
See a GP if:
- you want help with your mental health but are not sure if NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression is right for you
How to refer yourself for NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression
To refer yourself using this service, you'll need to enter the name of your GP surgery. This is to help find NHS talking therapies for anxiety and depression in your GP surgery's area.
When you refer yourself, the talking therapies service will contact you. If they can help you, they'll tell you how long you may need to wait for your first therapy session.
They'll also explain what information will be shared with your GP.
Get urgent help
Support is available if you or someone you know are having a mental health crisis or emergency, no matter what you're going through.
Content last reviewed by the NHS: 14 February 2025
Content last collected from the NHS: 20 August 2025