Counselling Services for Primary Care
Referral Criteria
MOOD MANAGEMENT GROUP
Winner of PCT PLUS award
West Sussex PCT working in partnership with Sussex Partnership NHS Trust
This group is intended for individuals who present with anxiety, depression or a
combination of the two. Suitable candidates for the group include individuals with the
following characteristics.
Anxiety.
Mild to moderate presentations of:
 Panic attacks
 Phobias
 Generalized anxiety
Individuals with anxiety are not suitable for the group if:
 Their main presentation is OCD
 Their anxiety is so severe they are housebound
 Their anxiety is secondary to another condition such as PTSD or psychosis
Depression.
Mild to moderate presentations of:
 Uni – polar depression.
 Post natal depression
 Initial and recurrent episodes of depression
Individuals with depression are not suitable for the group if:
 Their depression is severe
 They are actively suicidal or considered to be at significant risk of suicide
 They are currently self-harming or considered to be at risk of self harm
(Including eating disorders, alcohol /drug abuse).
 They are in the acute phase of depression and their mood requires
stabilisation with medication before psychological therapy can be considered
 They are currently receiving another form of psychological therapy
(Counselling, Psychotherapy, eCBT).
Those with a hearing disability may find it difficult within the Group
environment.
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General characteristics of individuals suitable for Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy Group Therapy
Individuals referred to the group should:
 Give their informed consent to being referred
 Be motivated to work on their problems
 Be willing and able to take an active role in their own therapy
 Be prepared to tolerate psychological discomfort in order to change
If your patient meets the above criteria, please send a referral /referral template
outlining the presenting problems to –
Sheila Tooth
Counsellor in Primary Care
Arun House
16, Liverpool Gardens
Worthing
BN11 1RY
Tel no: 07824837619 Fax 01903 843541
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