NHS Sefton Talking Therapies - Bootle

melissa L.

Self referred myself and it was going well. I had around 6 appointments. Managed to get antidepressants from my Dr thanks to talking therapies. The continued sessions just dramatically stopped though. After receiving 6 sessions, I've not had any cbt for 6 weeks now. No explanation as to why they have stopped. Definitely not 100% still, but can't seem to get back into the cbt. Mixed feelings if I'm totally honest. The lady I spoke to was called Jan. Really lovely and genuinely seemed to care. Unsure why she cancelled our on going cbt sessions.

claire C.

After years of living and struggling with general anxiety disorder - and the health implications of this and acute panic attacks I finally found someone (Steve) who could help me - someone who has enabled me to understand myself and the impact of fear on my life. Whilst I’m not out of the woods yet, Steve introduced me to self soothing and caring strategies which have helped.I had to wait a long time to talk to anyone (6 months) but now there are slowly but surely more happy days in my life.

Rebecca R.

I first was with this service when it was still Access Sefton and I'm still just as unhappy with the service now as I was 6-7 years ago.

Since being under TMS my first therapist was lovely and genuinely seemed to care. She requested for me to be referred onto higher intensity CBT as we both believed it would be beneficial. I was happy to wait as I had suitable support networks in place should I need help and when I finally got the call from them to book my first appointment for my higher level CBT I was made up, even if it was a telephone appointment because they didn't have a single slot that worked around my working hours. I missed my appointment as in my area there is appalling signal so my phone didn't ring, I just got a voicemail. I emailed in within 10 minutes of getting said voicemail asking to rearrange. I got no response. I emailed in again 16 working days later which should've been more than enough to respond to my initial email to chase for a rearrangement and I've still yet to hear back off my initial email sent on 09/11/23. I wouldn't be as upset if someone had acknowledged my email, even if I had to be put back onto a waiting list.

I've got no clue if I have even been discharged at this point, so I couldn't attempt to find a different therapist to go to as last time I checked I was told that nobody can take me on until I have been discharged.

All I have to say is I'm glad I'm not in crisis and I truly do feel sorry for those who need this service more than I do who will, with no doubt, be experiencing the same issues.

Annie V.

It's awful that NHS Funding is being cut so much especially in mental health areas. However I have managed to go from 100mg to 50mg of Sertraline to no antidepressants at all at the moment. This is due to my counselling with Jessica who has been so kind, encouraging and supportive. Good luck with the rest of your course. Anthony who did the initial assessment was very compassionate and relatable too. Thank you both and also to the lovely reception team

Remi

I wouldn't suggest anyone to this service. They were called Access sefton before being changed to Talking matters. I've been with both services for 12 years and have had nothing bit horrible treatment.

Examples of the "service" I was given over the years:
- a pregnant lady was due 3 weeks and decided to work with me, first week in after 6 months wait, I was discharged. She promised me i would be passed onto someone else but i was put back on the long waiting list.
- during covid, I was taking appointments online. Multiple times their site wouldn't load and let me in. I tried to call and email explaining my delay in attending, but no one answered. was marked down as absent and given 2 warnings, followed by a discharge.
After a long conversation by email asking to do future appointments by phone, I was told it was my fault that I didn't attend and that I should go back on the waiting list. That these excuses were not acceptable.

Now I'm being treated privet CBT and have been getting SO much of a better service.
I HEAVILY NOT RECOMMEND TALKING MATTERS

A ?. B.

If I could rate 0 stars I would.

Partner self referred in 2021, had an assessment and told a 6 month wait. 6 months later she followed up to be told they haven’t any records for her.

Fast forward to 2023, nurse chased them up and she had an appointment within 7 days.

Time off the appointment, no phone call. She had to call to be told the system is down and her counsellor would call shortly. The counsellor rang almost an hour late, saying todays session would have to be cancelled and not sure on next dates.

Partner said this isn’t good enough, counsellor said “I will discharge you, that’s sound”. The service is an absolute joke!

This service will (it hasn’t already) got blood on their hands and the amount of people they have let down.

Aimee T.

I really think this service helped me tremendously. Especially due to my therapist Elle C, who was beyond lovely every single session, I can’t express how amazing she was throughout the process. Not once did i feel uncomfortable when talking to her. She really helped me find coping mechanisms and feel overall better about myself. Massive thank you to her and to Talking Matters ❤️

Anna L.

I wanted to update my experience at talking matters, I had a bad experience to begin with but the service took responsibility of my complaint and somehow accommodated my needs and I eventually felt at ease attending my therapies. Josh and Ben have been so professional and attentive to my needs. They have really helped me leave a traumatic place that I was stuck in. If it wasn’t for the both of them I couldn’t bare to think where I would be at now. Im so greatful to have met them both at the time I did. It’s hard to find the words to thank both Josh and Ben as only we know the journey it’s took to get to where I am today, I can’t commend them enough. Unseen hero’s. Talking does matter it’s just finding the right person(s) for you and your needs. Thank you for being so sensitive and understanding of my mental health and circumstances 🙏 Josh and Ben are an absolute 5 star rating, the loss of one star is just because of the breach of confidentiality I experienced to begin with which the service dealt with and let the therapist go. Thank you for restoring so much faith I had lost!