Therapy is for if you are feeling low, anxious or worried. Maybe you are having trouble sleeping, or you can’t concentrate, or are unable to enjoy activities that you used to love. GPs often prescribe therapy for these feelings and symptoms, because therapy is the most effective treatment.

There are different types of psychological therapies and we can discuss together which one suits you best with your specific needs and situation in mind.

SignHealth’s Psychological Therapy service was previously known as ‘BSL Healthy Minds’.

You do not pay for any of our services.

Our services are contracted with the NHS through a number of different routes. 

We offer services to deaf people who may be experiencing one or more of the following conditions: 

• Mild to moderate depression or anxiety
• OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)
• PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
• Generalised Anxiety Disorder
• Phobias
• Social anxiety
• Health anxiety
• Loss or bereavement
• Confidence problems
• Low self-esteem
• Family or work stresses
• Identity issues
• Abuse
• Couples Therapy

If you do not see your condition (or you are not sure) but you think meeting with a therapist could help, please contact us. 

You must be aged over 18 and living in England or Wales. 

Anywhere in England. We still provide therapy for deaf people in Wales but the funding process has not changed and will still be through Individual Funding Requests (IFR). This NHS contract will not impact the services available in Scotland and Northern Ireland. If you might benefit from therapy and live in Scotland or Northern Ireland, we suggest that you discuss your options with your GP.

Our therapy sessions are primarily delivered online but face-to-face can sometimes be arranged.

If you have any questions about the service or you need help with referrals please contact us.

Text 07984 439473
therapies@signhealth.org.uk
Call 07966 976747

Research suggests that the best treatment for people with mental health such as depression and anxiety is ‘talking therapy’. This therapy method relies on 1-1 communication, but for deaf people who use sign language, this is problematic. The moment an interpreter is involved, the conversation becomes less intimate and has been shown to be less effective for the patient. 

All our therapists are either deaf or hearing and fluent in British Sign Language (BSL) and some can also support deaf people who do not sign. 

Please contact your GP to discuss your options. We also have self-help guides on SignHealth’s website for a range of mental health and advice for small steps you can take to improve your wellbeing through getting better sleep, mindfulness and other exercises.

We are a mental health service for those with mild to moderate depression and anxiety only. We are not a crisis service and are not able to support those who are suicidal. It can be an upsetting and distressing time. Please contact your close friends and family to let them know you are feeling suicidal. Then please see your GP, who will refer you to your local community mental health team. You can also use NHS 111 or 999 BSL if your life is at risk.

During assessment, we will ask questions about how your mental health is impacting your life and what you would like to change (your goals for therapy). After the assessment, we will let you know which therapy is suitable for you. It will depend on your symptoms and needs. You may be offered a choice of therapist, such as communication preference, gender, race, and a choice of appropriate therapy. This will be explained at the end of the assessment.

At the end of March 2025, the NHS Talking Therapies contract we held with NHS England ended.  Previously funding came from the NHS at a national level. Our therapy service will not close, but to continue, we are now working closely with each region and local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to get funding locally.

The NHS knows there is a need for proper deaf mental health support, and they know our therapy service achieves excellent outcomes for deaf people. Our priority is ensuring that this support continues.

We have informed those who were referred to us under NHS England funded care that their treatment will continue without any change. We also informed those who made their self-referral after 24 February 2025 that we will be contacting their local NHS commissioner to request them to fund their treatment.

You can currently still make a referral via our website, and we will try and seek funding from your local NHS commissioner.  We will update our website and share with our community if there is a change in the referral process. In the meantime, please contact your GP or use our BSL health library if you need any support and resources.

We are so proud of the service we provide. We know it has helped so many people in our community. The mental health of our community will always be our top priority, but it will take some time to agree to the new arrangements.  We want to continue to support our community. We will keep you updated every step of the way.