Primary Care Psychological Therapies Services (Talking Therapies)

We provide Primary Care Psychological Therapies Services (PCPTS), also known as talking therapies, as part of the government's Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme.

How can I use Primary Care Psychological Therapies Services?

Firstly, visit your GP. Your GP can refer you to these services. In some areas (currently Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley, Maidstone and South West Kent) you can ‘self-refer’. This means that you can contact the service directly and get an appointment to see someone.

What can you expect from Primary Care Psychological Therapies Services?

If you are referred to a service you will be assessed and offered the type of support that is suitable for your needs. IAPT services provide advice, information and signposting and therapy.

Therapy such as cognitive behavioural therapy is available over the phone, in group sessions or face to face, in GP surgeries or in local centres. We also run psycho-educational workshops in addition to group sessions.

Where are the Primary Care Psychological Therapies Services?

We are currently commissioned to provide Primary Care Psychological Therapies Services in west Kent and Medway.

West Kent

You can now call direct all three Primary Care Psychological Therapies Services in West Kent:

Call 0800 2799 500

If you live in Dartford, Gravesend, Swanley or the surrounding areas please press 1

If you live in Maidstone or the surrounding areas please press 2

If you live in South West Kent, including Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks and the surrounding areas please press 3

There are three centres in west Kent:

Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley Primary Care Psychological Therapy Service
17 High Street
Swanley
BR8 8AE
Freephone: 0800 2799 500 option 1
Tel: 01322 669899
Fax: 01322 667274
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Referral: Through your GP
Areas covered: Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley

Visit the West Kent PCPT service page where you can currently make self-referrals to the Dartford, Gravesend and Swanley PCPTS service.

Maidstone Primary Care Psychological Therapy Service
The Courtyard
Pudding Lane
Maidstone
ME14 1PA
Freephone: 0800 2799 500 option 2
Tel: 01622 776340
Fax: 01622 776369
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Referral: Through your GP
Areas covered: Maidstone and Malling

Visit the West Kent PCPT service page where you can currently make self-referrals to the Maidstone PCPTS service.

South West Kent Primary Care Psychological Therapy Service
Spa House
18 Upper Grosvenor Road
Tunbridge Wells
TN1 2EP
Freephone:0800 2799 500 opt 3
Tel: 01892 524996
Fax: 01892 525569
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Referral: Through your GP
Areas covered: South West Kent

Visit the West Kent PCPT service page where you can currently make self-referrals to the South West Kent PCPTS service.

East Kent

KMPT Primary Care Psychological Therapy Service
Coleman House
Brookfield Avenue
Dover
CT16 2AH
Tel: 01304 216692
Referral: Through your GP
Areas covered: Dover, Deal and Canterbury

KMPT Primary Care Psychological Therapy Service
Southlands Unit
Rook Lane
Bobbing
ME9 8DZ
Tel: 01795 845034/845038
Referral: Through your GP
Areas covered: Swale

Visit the East Kent PCPT service page.

Medway

We have one centre in Medway:

Primary Care Psychological Therapies for Medway
Elmsleigh Lodge
118 Maidstone Road
Chatham
Kent
ME4 6DQ
Tel: 01634 841524

Visit the Medway PCPT service page.

More information about IAPT

The government launched the national IAPT programme to increase the availability of psychological therapies for adults with mental health needs.

The aim is to provide therapy for people for a brief period when they first start to experience a problem such as depression or anxiety problems. It is hoped that this will avoid or limit the need for medication, time off work or unemployment.

IAPT services currently focus on providing cognitive behavioural therapy and counselling in addition to information, advice and signposting to other services and sources of support.

In addition, it is recognised that therapeutic approaches other than CBT are required and the Primary Care Psychological Therapies Services are also able to offer alternative treatments such as Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy in some areas. This is also a brief talking therapy that is aimed to help with depression and anxiety that often results from or relates to difficulties in relationships.