Talking therapy involves talking to a trained professional such, as a counsellor, about your mental health, thoughts, feelings and behaviour. Through talking therapy the counsellor can help you recognise any patterns you may want to change. Therapy can guide you in understanding where your negative feelings come from, which will help you make positive changes and take greater control of your mental health.
Different types of talking therapy:
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – addresses how your thoughts affect how you feel and behave. By challenging negative thoughts you can start to feel better. CBT usually consists of six to twelve sessions. This type of therapy addresses specific problems as opposed to your general mental wellbeing. Your therapist will often set tasks to do between sessions for example keeping a diary. CBT can help with a range of mental health problems including depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and others. 
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) – is a modified form of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) that focuses on helping people who experience emotions very intensely. It teaches about bringing together two opposites – acceptance and change. Accepting yourself and changing your behaviour may appear like a contradiction, but DBT will help you understand how this can bring about positive changes to your mental health. DBT was originally used to treat borderline personality disorder but it is also effective in treating mental health problems associated with addiction to drugs and alcohol, depression, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts.
Psychodynamic therapy – addresses how your childhood experiences and unconscious mind affects your current thoughts, feelings, relationships and behaviour. It is often relatively long-term therapy that can last from several months to many years. It is helpful for addictions, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, long-term physical health problems. Psychodynamic therapy is recommended for people experiencing depression alongside other complex illnesses.
How to access talking therapy?
University of Lincoln offers counselling service free of charge to all students. To access this service simply attend 
an initial Wellbeing drop-in session with one of the Student Wellbeing Advisors. You will have the opportunity to discuss what counselling options are available to you and, if appropriate, a counselling assessment will be arranged for you. Counselling assessments can be booked on the day you wish to be seen and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Student Wellbeing Drop-in Times are Monday – Friday between 12-2pm and Thursday evenings (during term-time only) between 5-7pm.
Alternatively, you can access talking therapy free of charge from the NHS by asking your GP or other healthcare professional to refer you or by using a self-referral service if you live in England.
Alternatively, if you can afford it you can access talking therapy privately. It is important to search via a trusted source that only lists therapists who are registered with a professional body such as: the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).
Please also see our page on medication for mental health.
Disclaimer – Please note we are 3rd year pharmacy students. We are not qualified to provide medical advice. This blog is for information only. Please consult your doctor or pharmacist for advice.