Improving access to psychological therapies: systemic therapy in the Newham pilot site

The improving access to psychological therapies (IAPT) programme, which started with two pilot sites, has dramatically changed the provision of mental health services for depression and anxiety disorders in the National Health Service. The IAPT initiative has focused on the provision of cognitive behaviour therapy but incorporated a small systemic therapy service in the Newham pilot site. The outcomes of this systemic service are presented in this article. Most clients seen by the service suffered from depression and anxiety disorders. The response rate for the evaluation questionnaires was high. For the depression and anxiety measures the recovery rate was above 50 per cent and the effect sizes were large. Most of the clients were satisfied with the service. A trend towards employment was identified. The outcomes are discussed in comparison with those of the cognitive behaviour therapy service and recommendations for the process of further studies are made.