Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT)
NHS Wirral have contracted Advocacy in Wirral to provide a computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT) service to Wirral residents.
We use a programme called Beating the Blues which runs over 8 weekly sessions, and clients can either visit our Woodside premises where they receive support from trained volunteers, or else complete the programme in their own home, with telephone and e-mail support.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy teaches skills to allow clients to challenge negative thought patterns, and has proven to be an effective tool for helping clients with depression and anxiety.
Clients can be referred by their GP, or from a range of other agencies including PCAL and Talking Changes. Clients can also refer themselves into the service. Last year, over 300 people commenced treatment, and the service has a high level of completion.
You can view a short video about our cCBT project here.
For more information on cCBT or Beating the Blues, please contact
Chris Fergusson on 0151 649 1674 (Direct Line)
or
e-mail chris.fergusson@aiw.org.uk
http://www.aiw.org.uk/beating-the-blues-with-aiw.html
Phoenix is the editor of this site and was diagnosed with bipolar twenty years ago. In between 7 periods of illness and hospitalisation she trained as a garden designer and was a awarded an RHS Diploma, gained a first class degree in Cultural Studies and a Certificate in Education that enables her to lecture in Recovery in Mental Health to psychiatric nurse students and mental health professionals at 3 universities.
Phoenix has not been in hospital now for 5 years which she attributes to embracing Wellness Recovery Action Planning and all aspects of Recovery. She also will be delivering WRAP sessions in local communities for the Health and Wellbeing project and eventually help train all the community mental health teams and nurses in practice. In the last year she has also become a stand-up comedian which she believes has been the final key to her own recovery. Laughter truly is the best medicine! 
