Our Services

Self Help Services delivers a range of primary mental health care services and initiatives across the North West for people experiencing common mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression and low mood. You will find a brief description of the services we offer below or via a download at the bottom of the page.

Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT)

Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a computer based programme that helps people with depression and/or anxiety to examine their negative behaviour, what triggers this and how to make positive changes to their lives.

We offer three different cCBT courses at a range of venues across Greater Manchester:

Each of these programmes are self-help packages where participants may find that they are able to work through the modules with little or no assistance. However, we do have a team of cCBT Support Workers on hand to help if any assistance is necessary.

The cCBT Support Workers work on a voluntary basis and receive support, line management and regular external supervision from Self Help Services. All cCBT Support Workers undertake a programme of mandatory training through the cCBT packages to familiarise themselves with their content and operations. The cCBT Support Workers are not therapists but are people who either have direct personal experience of depression, anxiety or low mood or have a special interest in these areas because of their studies or career. The cCBT Support Workers have also completed an enhanced criminal disclosure before they have undertaken their voluntary role.

During the cCBT session, one or more cCBT Support Workers will be available to offer guidance or support to clients. If there are any technical problems during the session or clients need assistance in understanding any of the material being presented, then the cCBT Support Workers are on hand to help.

At home services are also available for patients of Trafford and Stockport GPs. People are offered the chance to access Living Life to the Full interactive from home, while receiving regular telephone support sessions.

To find cCBT in your area, click here.

Community Services

Community Services are the foundation of Self Help Services providing community based self help initiatives. The first Self Help Group ran from the Zion Community Resource Centre in Hulme in 1995. We now have eight drop-in groups running across Greater Manchester and have supplemented our service provision by developing Self Help courses and a complementary therapy service which offers access to a Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) light box service. For more information on our drop-in groups, courses or complementary therapies please contact the Community Services Team on Tel: 01612263871 or e-mail: admin@seflhelpservices.org.uk

Alternatively, click here for a list of Community Services.

Psychological Therapies

Self Help Services provide one-to-one and telephone support through our Counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies (CBT). All of our Counselling and CBT-Based Psychological Wellbeing services are commissioned by the NHS. Sessions are offered on an appointment only basis and can be accessed by completing a referral form, available on this website or by calling 0161 226 6775. You can also ask your GP to refer you. Once you have submitted a referral form, you will be contacted for a telephone assessment, and then your first appointment will be arranged. Appointments are available face to face or over the telephone.

Click here to find where we currently provide psychological therapies.

Manchester Counselling Services

This service offers face-to-face counselling sessions for individuals affected by life events such as bereavement, relationship, family and abuse issues. Our counsellors are highly experienced, accredited and qualified in person-centred and integrative therapies.

The services are free to service users and up to 10 sessions can be offered, lasting up to a maximum of 45 minutes to 1 hour. These services provide the opportunity for people to bring issues relating to past and present experiences and provide a supportive environment in which to discuss concerns.

CBT-Based and Psychological Well Being Services (IAPT)

These services provide effective psychological therapies for mild to moderate mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, low self esteem, low mood, OCD and panic disorders. Our aim is to improve access to mental health services and promote the psychological wellbeing of people living in the North West. The techniques and skills used in these services are all based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. CBT can help you to change how you think (‘Cognitive’) and what you do (‘Behaviour’). These changes can help you to feel better and this therapy looks for ways to improve your state of mind now. An initial assessment lasting one hour is then followed by up to 6 sessions of therapy lasting 30 minutes each.  These services are free to service users and can be accessed via GP or self referral.