Therapy For You, the NHS Talking Therapies service catering to patients in North East and South East Essex, is revolutionising therapeutic access by teaming up with ieso Online Therapy to offer typed therapy sessions.

Since their collaboration in May 2017, Therapy For You and ieso have joined forces to provide essential support to patients across the region, ensuring comfort and convenience in their therapeutic journey.

Dedicated to maximising the accessibility and inclusivity of therapy, Therapy For You saw an incredible opportunity in partnering with ieso to expand their range of treatment options.

“Our goal at Therapy For You has always been to enhance the accessibility of effective mental health support,” explains Richard Black, NHS Talking Therapies Digital Services Manager at Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT).

“Traditional in-person therapy might not be viable for everyone due to travel constraints or personal circumstances. Similarly, some individuals find the idea of face-to-face or phone-based interactions uncomfortable, which creates a significant barrier between them and the assistance they require.”

“By collaborating with ieso, we’re dismantling these barriers and presenting an efficient, accessible alternative for our service users.”

ieso Online Therapy offers a distinctive platform that allows users to engage in one-on-one text-based conversations with qualified therapists via their devices such as phones, tablets, and computers. Operating entirely remotely and accessible anywhere with an internet connection, ieso’s secure and confidential platform has supported over 115,000 individuals since its inception in 2000.

ieso’s therapeutic approach is rooted in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a talk therapy that concentrates on reshaping thoughts and behaviors to enhance emotional well-being. With a team of numerous CBT therapists, this approach harmonised seamlessly with the services Therapy For You was already delivering to its users.

Prospective users initiate contact through the ieso website, where they are matched with a suitable therapist. The two parties then schedule a convenient time for their weekly typed therapy sessions, typically lasting between 30 to 60 minutes.

Between sessions, users engage in exercises and techniques recommended by their therapist. As therapy progresses, the therapist assesses their progress by evaluating responses to digital questionnaires. Users also have the ability to revisit their past conversations, accessible for up to 20 years after their discharge from the service.

“The ieso platform’s robustness and user-friendliness have significantly contributed to its effectiveness for our service users,” notes Black.

“Its framework and application of CBT techniques align closely with our approach at Therapy For You, seamlessly integrating into our treatment pathways. We also value the long-term availability of past conversations for patients, as it offers valuable support in preventing relapses.”

ieso therapists address a wide array of common mental health symptoms, including anxiety, depression, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), phobias, sleep issues, social anxiety, and stress.

Therapy For You firmly believes that ieso’s typed therapy has opened the door to treatment for countless individuals in North East and South East Essex.

“There are numerous reasons why someone might be unable or unwilling to attend in-person therapy sessions,” elucidates Black. “Limited transportation options, scheduling conflicts, or difficulty communicating thoughts and emotions face-to-face, over the phone, or via video calls are some examples. Text-based communication eliminates these barriers, empowering individuals to express themselves through writing—a preferred mode of communication for many.”

“Ultimately, typed therapy enables individuals to access support at their own comfort and convenience. It’s familiar, straightforward, and user-friendly, and I’m confident it has encouraged many to seek help they might otherwise have avoided.”

ieso’s specialised treatment platform boasts several distinctive advantages for users, including appointments available seven days a week from 6 am to 11 pm, a highly secure and encrypted online chat platform, the option to message questions to therapists between sessions, and access to a network of over 600 qualified and accredited therapists and psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs).

“An impressive 95% of users would recommend ieso to friends and family, and after years of affiliation, it’s easy to understand why,” declares Black.

“As an organisation that prides itself on the flexibility and diversity of our treatment approaches, ieso’s platform is integral to our service, and we are thrilled to offer this option to individuals throughout Essex.”

For more information about ieso typed therapy, provided free of charge to NHS patients in North East and South East Essex, please visit the Therapy For You website.