Bespoke Members
Introduction
Across the UK, clinicians are increasingly supporting individuals whose needs fall outside NHS Talking Therapies (or equivalent) and secondary mental health services. These presentations often involve complex PTSD, emotional dysregulation, disordered eating, long-term functional impairment, and multiple system involvement, yet service structures are not always designed to meet this level of complexity.
This webinar introduces learning, clinical principles, and system design insights following the development, implementation and evaluation of the Inclusion Thurrock: Psychological Therapy Service (PTS), a nationally recognised, award-winning innovative model that offers NICE recommended evidence-based therapies to this cohort of patients. Delegates will explore how integrated, needs-led psychological care can be delivered safely, collaboratively, and effectively, while supporting clinicians to feel more confident in their role.
The event will be equivalent to 2 hrs of CPD.
Content
The workshop will cover:
• Understanding the cohort of patients we serve; patient characteristics, system pressures, and contextual information around historical service criteria within our locality
• Key findings from the PTS evaluation, including safety, outcomes, engagement, equity, and timeliness
• Practical pathway innovations — joint assessments, system-wide transformation, multidisciplinary working, and continuity of care
• Enhancing person-centred practice: psychological safety, collaborative formulation, choice, and agency
• Clinician well-being, supervision structures, and psychologically informed organisational culture
• Using routine outcome measurement meaningfully
• Strategies to reduce waiting times and fragmentation, prevent “bouncing” between services, and improve referral experience
• Applying evidence to everyday clinical decision-making, regardless of role or service model
Clinical examples, anonymised scenarios, audience reflection, and implementation guidance will help attendees directly apply learning to their own settings.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Have an understanding of a Psychological Therapy service for people with Serious Mental Health Problems (PT-SMHP) within a primary care setting
2. Consider pathway and assessment strategies that reduce delays and duplication
3. Understand outcome data and use it to support service improvement and clinical conversations
4. Identify opportunities to enhance systemic collaboration within their local services
Training Modalities
Didactic content, Q & A, Expert by Experience viewpoint of service
Key References
Dunn, B. et al. 2024. Closing the gap for the missing middle. British Journal of General Practice.
Community Mental Health and NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression (2024). NHS England.
Accessing Community Mental Health and NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services. National Guidance. 2024. NHS England. Available from: https://future.nhs.uk/system/login?nextURL=%2Fconnect%2Eti%2FNHSTalkingTherapies%2Fview%3FobjectId%3D192590533
Pione R, Itangata J, Frost M, et al. Mind the gap! A new talking therapies service in Thurrock, Essex. CBT Today. 2023;51(2):24–25.
England NHS, Improvement NHS, Collaborating N, Central for Mental Health. The Community Mental Health Framework for Adults and Older Adults. 2019. Available from: https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/community-mental-health-framework-for-adults-and-older-adults.pdf
About the presenter
Richard Pione
Richard is a Clinical Psychologist and CBT therapist working within the NHS, specialising in complex and enduring mental health presentations across community, primary, and secondary care. He is the team lead of the Inclusion Thurrock PTS, focusing on integrated pathway development, outcome data, psychological safety, and patient experience. His clinical work draws on cognitive behavioural therapy approaches, and he regularly teaches, supervises, and leads service development with a focus on compassionate systems, accessibility, and clinician sustainability.
Mark Frost
Mark is an experienced psychotherapist and Clinical Lead of Inclusion Thurrock NHS Talking Therapies and the Psychological Therapy Service. He has expertise in designing and operationalising integrated psychological therapy pathways. He has held roles across multiple NHS services, supporting workforce development and quality improvement. Mark specialises in creating innovative solutions for practical clinical delivery, ensuring services remain safe, equitable, person-centred, and outcome focused.
Who should attend
Service leads, Clinical Leads, Pathway Leads, Commissioners, Psychiatrists, and others involved in designing/transforming services who are interested in an innovative service delivery within the NHS England Psychological Therapies for Serious Mental Health Problems (PT-SMHP) programme.