Health in Mind NHS Talking Therapies are offering online bookings for an initial appointment with our service. 

These initial appointments are known as assessments and they are your first session with a member of the team.  They are an opportunity for us to find out more about you, for you to find out what we can offer, and a chance to talk through what happens next. 

In some circumstances, we may suggest that another service suits your needs better but we will talk this through with you.

We hope that being able to offer online bookings it will make it easier for you to book appointments which are convenient for you.

1. What happens if I say that I am happy to receive an online booking link?

We will send an online booking link to the mobile number you have provided, if there are appointments available for you to book this way.

2. How will you communicate with me in the future about my appointments?

Unless you have indicated that you need us to contact you in a different way we would usually contact you via email or a text to the mobile you have provided.

If you want to update us with your contact preference please email us at SPNT.healthinmind@nhs.net or call us on 0300 00 30 130.

3. What is an assessment?

An assessment is an opportunity for a member of our clinical team to find out more about you. For more information about this please visit our First Appointments Page.

4. How long will this first session take?

It could take up to 1 hour

5. Who might not be able to be sent an online booking?

There are some people who we will need to contact directly to ensure you get the right appointment and will not be able to book online. This will ensure we are able to offer the right appointments and support. You might not be able to book you first appointment online if you;

• Need an interpreter
• Require a face to face appointment
• Have other specific requirements about who you may be able to see e.g. male or female clinician

6. How does online bookings work?

Here is a brief summary of how the online booking works;

• If you have indicated that you would like to receive a text message with available appointments that you can book, and your appointment type is part of the pilot, you will be sent a text which will have a link to an online booking platform
• You will make some selections
• The available appointments we have will be presented to you
• You will book the appointment
• You will receive confirmation of the booking
• You will also be able to cancel online

7. What if I do not respond to the message?

If you do not respond to the online booking message we will contact you to remind you to book your appointment. This is so we can be confident you know we are trying to contact you and we will still be able to reach you if any details are incorrect.

8. What if I do not want to book online?

You can still book directly with a team member. If you indicate that you do not want to be sent an online booking text we will not do this. If we send a text message to you with the online booking link and you decide that you do not want to book online we will contact you via email and text.

9. What do I do if I want to book a face to face or video appointment?

Please call the service direct so that we can discuss this and arrange the appropriate type of appointment.

10. What if I want to cancel the appointment

You can cancel and re-book your appointment under certain circumstances; Please visit our Appointment Cancellations Page for more information.

11. Who will I be seeing?

At your first appointment you will be speaking with a member of the Health in Mind, NHS Talking Therapies team or Primary Care Mental Health Practitioner Team. 

Sussex Partnership Foundation Trust is a training organisation therefore your appointment could be with a clinician in training.

For more information visit our NHS Talking Therapies Team Information Page.