Groups and Courses

What is the Low Mood Course?

The Low Mood Course is for people who are experiencing symptoms of mood disorders, such as persistent sadness, low mood, or depression. These difficulties can have a significant impact on daily life and make it harder to function. You may notice a loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed, reduced motivation, withdrawal from social contact, or changes in energy levels and sleep.

What does this programme involve?

This programme is a structured course based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It includes 6 weekly sessions, each lasting one hour and thirty minutes. The sessions are educational and follow evidence‑based CBT techniques.

Each week includes time for discussion, and you’ll be encouraged to take part in these conversations to help deepen your understanding. You will also be given home practice tasks to complete between sessions, this is an important part of treatment and helps you apply what you learn. All sessions are confidential.

How will this help me?

During this course you will:

• Learn about the common cycles that maintain low mood
• Practise strategies to manage symptoms, including techniques for managing thoughts and changing unhelpful behaviours
• Build skills to take back control of your mood and improve your overall wellbeing

Who runs the sessions?

The course is delivered by two Wellbeing Practitioners, trained in providing guided self‑help using CBT‑based approaches. They will support you throughout the programme and help you apply the techniques in a way that works for you.

What is the Stress and Anxiety Course?

The Stress and Anxiety Course is for people who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety disorders, where feelings of panic, worry, and stress can become difficult to manage and begin to affect daily life. Common symptoms may include physical sensations such as heart palpitations, sweating, nausea, breathlessness, and difficulty relaxing. Many people also notice problems with sleep, concentration, irritability, or low mood.

What does this programme involve?

This programme is a structured, educational course based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). It consists of 6 weekly sessions, each lasting one hour and thirty minutes.

The sessions follow evidence‑based CBT techniques and include opportunities for group discussion, which you will be encouraged to take part in. You will also be given home practice tasks to complete between sessions, an essential part of treatment that helps you apply what you learn in your everyday life. All courses are fully confidential.

How will this help me?

During this course you will:

• Learn about the common cycles that maintain stress and anxiety
• Practise strategies to manage symptoms, including techniques for managing thoughts and changing unhelpful behaviours
• Build skills to regain control over your stress and anxiety and improve your overall wellbeing

Who runs the sessions?

The course is facilitated by two Wellbeing Practitioners, trained in delivering guided self‑help using CBT‑based approaches.

What is the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy Group?

The Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) group is designed to help you develop two core skills:

• Acceptance of unwanted thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations
• Commitment to taking action and engaging in new, meaningful behaviours

ACT is a modern, evidence‑based psychotherapy grounded in research on how the human mind works. It has been shown to be effective for a wide range of psychological difficulties. The name reflects one of its central ideas: learning to accept what is outside of your control, while committing to making changes in areas you can influence to improve your life.

What does the programme involve?

The ACT group runs for 10 weeks, with two‑hour sessions each week. It is an active, skills‑based therapy where you will learn practical tools to enhance your quality of life.

The programme has two main aims:

• To help you build a rich, full, and meaningful life
• To teach mindfulness‑based skills that enable you to handle painful thoughts and feelings more effectively, reducing their impact and influence over you

How will this help me? 

ACT may be helpful if you are ready to:

• Learn skills for managing difficult thoughts and emotions
• Break out of “stuck cycles” of anxiety or depression
• Set meaningful behavioural goals aligned with the life you want
• Reflect on who and what truly matters to you

 Who runs the sessions?

The group is facilitated by a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist, trained in delivering ACT and other CBT‑based approaches.

What is the Overcoming Worry Group? 

Do you often find yourself:

• Worrying about many different things in everyday life
• Believing that worrying helps you prepare, plan, or shows you care
• Getting caught up in lots of “What if…?” thoughts about the future
• Feeling like you were “born a worrier”
• Experiencing muscle tension, especially in your neck and shoulders
• Struggling with sleep
• Feeling restless, on edge, irritable, tired, or easily exhausted

If so, you may be experiencing Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or excessive worry. The recommended psychological treatment for GAD is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Taking part in CBT within a group setting can be especially helpful, as it allows you to meet others with similar experiences while learning practical ways to manage worry more effectively.

What does the programme involve?

The Overcoming Worry Group delivers CBT in a supportive group environment. The programme includes nine weekly sessions, each lasting two hours.

You will be encouraged to take part in discussions and share your experiences, as active engagement helps you get the most out of the course. Everything shared in the group is treated with strict confidentiality, agreed collectively during the first session.

There is also an expectation that you will practise the coping strategies between sessions, as applying these skills in daily life is an important part of treatment.

How will this help me? 

The Overcoming Worry Group will support you to:

• Build a clearer understanding of anxiety and worry
• Learn practical skills and techniques to manage worry
• Identify the difference between current worries and hypothetical worries
• Set meaningful goals based on how you want your life to be
• Make positive changes to improve your wellbeing

Who runs the sessions?

A Cognitive Behavioural Therapist will guide you through the programme using a proven CBT‑based approach called 'Guided Self‑Help'.

Find out more about Overcoming Worry by watching the video below:

What is the Improving Self‑Esteem Group?

The Improving Self‑Esteem Group is a 9‑session programme, with each session lasting two hours. The group supports you in recognising how low self‑esteem may be contributing to feelings of depression and helps you develop practical ways to build confidence and a more positive sense of self. A “Group contract” will be discussed during the first session.

Who might benefit?

This group may be helpful if you:

• Experience mild to moderate depression or low mood
• Tend to be self‑critical and identify with having low self‑esteem
• Want to understand where your low self‑esteem comes from
• Are motivated to make changes in how you think about yourself
• Feel comfortable talking and listening within a group setting

Who is the group not suitable for?

This group is unlikely to be helpful if you:

• Use drugs, alcohol, or self‑harm to cope
• Have a history of trauma that may be triggered during group exercises
• Experience high levels of social anxiety
• Believe your difficulties are caused only by external factors
• Have a specific condition such as OCD, health anxiety, bipolar disorder
• Are currently experiencing significant instability in your life

Who runs the sessions and what can I expect?

Talking Therapies practitioners facilitate the group. They are trained to support you in exploring the thoughts, emotions, and experiences linked to low self‑esteem.

Each week includes a presentation on a topic related to self‑esteem, followed by time for group discussion. You’ll be encouraged to reflect on how the topic relates to your own experiences.

Joining a therapeutic group can feel daunting at first, but many people find it reassuring and supportive. Sharing experiences in a safe, professionally‑led environment can help you feel understood while gaining insight into yourself and your situation.

Attendance

The course consists of 9 sessions, and participants are encouraged to attend all sessions wherever possible.