Birmingham Healthy Minds, NHS Talking Therapies

Birmingham Healthy Minds, NHS Talking Therapies 📍UK, Birmingham.
🧠 NHS Talking Therapies service.
📝 Supporting those aged 16+ registered with a Birmingham based GP
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18/08/2026

🧠 ERP: a recommended treatment for OCD 💙

For many people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) can be an effective treatment.

What is ERP?
ERP helps people gradually face the thoughts, situations, or triggers that bring up anxiety, while learning to resist doing compulsions or rituals to try to make the anxiety go away.

For example, someone may feel an urge to check, wash, repeat, seek reassurance, or mentally review something to feel “safe” or certain. ERP supports people to practise sitting with uncertainty and anxiety in a planned, supported way, without relying on the compulsion.

Why does it help?
Compulsions can bring short-term relief, but they often keep the OCD cycle going. ERP helps people learn that anxiety can reduce over time and that they can cope without completing the ritual.

ERP is not about forcing someone to face their biggest fear straight away. Treatment is planned together with a therapist and usually starts with smaller, manageable steps before building up gradually.

If OCD is affecting your daily life, relationships, work, education, or wellbeing, support is available. Birmingham Healthy Minds offers free NHS talking therapies for people aged 16+ who are registered with a Birmingham GP.

📞 Call us: 0121 301 2525
📝 Self-refer: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-healthy-minds/
👨‍⚕️ Or speak to your GP about a referral.

Are you feeling anxious, stressed or depressed? ❓Birmingham Healthy Minds is here to help. You do not have to do this al...
11/08/2026

Are you feeling anxious, stressed or depressed? ❓

Birmingham Healthy Minds is here to help. You do not have to do this alone, support is available. 💙

Birmingham Healthy Minds is a free NHS talking therapy service for people aged 16+ who are registered with a Birmingham GP.

You can access support through:
• GP referral
• Self-referral
• Email
• Phone
• Online callback request

📢 Please note: Our text service is no longer available. To access support, please call us or visit our website to find out more and self-refer.

📞 0121 301 2525

If you’re unsure where to start, our website can help guide you towards the right support.

What is OCD? Let's talk about it. 💬Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood. It's much more than likin...
04/08/2026

What is OCD? Let's talk about it. 💬
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is often misunderstood. It's much more than liking things to be tidy or organised.
OCD involves obsessions and compulsions:
🔹 Obsessions are unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges that cause distress or anxiety.
🔹 Compulsions are repetitive behaviours or mental acts that someone feels driven to do in an attempt to reduce that anxiety or prevent something bad from happening.
Although compulsions may bring temporary relief, they often keep the OCD cycle going.
OCD can affect anyone, and it can impact many areas of life, including relationships, work, education, and everyday activities. The good news is that effective treatments are available, and many people benefit from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP).
Understanding OCD is the first step towards reducing stigma and helping people access the support they deserve. 💙

If you have OCD, or think you might have OCD, we're here to help.
Please visit our website for referral details:
🔗 https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-healthy-minds/
📞 Call us directly on: 0121 301 2525
Alternatively, you can ask your GP to refer you.

💙 What Other Groups We Offer – Step 3 💙At Birmingham Healthy Minds, we offer treatment in a number of different ways. He...
21/07/2026

💙 What Other Groups We Offer – Step 3 💙
At Birmingham Healthy Minds, we offer treatment in a number of different ways. Here are some examples of the groups we provide as part of our high-intensity level of treatment.

Groups provide an opportunity to learn that you are not alone, hear about other people’s experiences, and develop new skills. There is no pressure to share if you don’t feel comfortable, you can take part at your own pace.

Here are some of the groups we offer:
🧠 Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) – helpful for recurrent depression
💙 Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) – helpful for depression where self-criticism is a key theme
🌱 Depression Group Therapy- specifically for depression
🌼 Anxiety Group Therapy – for social anxiety, general anxiety, panic, phobias, and health anxiety
🔄 OCD Group Therapy – specifically designed to support people experiencing OCD

If you feel you need some support for your mental health, contact us and we will complete a 1:1 conversation with you to see what type of treatment might be most helpful for you.

👉 Self-refer today:
📞 Call us: 0121 301 2525
📝 Self-refer: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-health

Feeling Trapped by Anxiety? Small Steps Can Lead to Big Changes 💙Meet X.X had been living with anxiety for several years...
14/07/2026

Feeling Trapped by Anxiety? Small Steps Can Lead to Big Changes 💙

Meet X.

X had been living with anxiety for several years. What started as feeling nervous in busy places gradually led to avoiding more and more activities. At first, X stopped meeting friends regularly. Then they avoided going into supermarkets alone, stopped using public transport, and eventually found themselves spending most of their time at home.

The more X avoided situations that felt anxiety-provoking, the smaller their world became. Although avoiding these situations brought short-term relief, it also reinforced the belief that they couldn't cope.

How Treatment Helped

Working with a Birmingham Healthy Minds practitioner, X learned about the cycle of anxiety and how avoidance can keep it going.

Together, they created a graded exposure plan – breaking down feared situations into smaller, manageable steps.

Instead of immediately tackling the most difficult situation, X started with small challenges:

✅ Standing outside their local shop for 5 minutes
✅ Walking into the shop and buying one item
✅ Visiting at a slightly busier time
✅ Taking a short bus journey with support
✅ Travelling independently and meeting a friend for coffee

At each stage, X stayed in the situation long enough to learn that although anxiety felt uncomfortable, it was not dangerous and would eventually reduce on its own.

The Outcome

Over time, X's confidence grew. They returned to activities they had previously stopped, reconnected with friends, and felt more able to live the life they wanted.

Recovery isn't about never feeling anxious again. It's about learning you can face anxiety and still move forward.

If anxiety is affecting your daily life, support is available through Birmingham Healthy Minds.

💙

💙 What Groups We Offer – Step 2Depression GroupOur Step 2 Depression Group is a short-term course (usually 4-6 sessions)...
24/06/2026

💙 What Groups We Offer – Step 2
Depression Group
Our Step 2 Depression Group is a short-term course (usually 4-6 sessions) designed to support people experiencing low mood or depression.
✅ What we cover:
• Understanding depression and how it affects daily life
• Behavioural Activation (BA) – learning how small, manageable changes in activity can improve mood
• Rebuilding routines and motivation
• Setting realistic, achievable goals
• Practical tools to help you feel more in control
📍 A supportive group space to learn skills, share experiences, and take positive steps forward.
👉 Self-refer today:
📞 Call us: 0121 301 2525
📝 Self-refer: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-healthy-minds/
👨‍⚕️ Or speak to your GP about a referral.

💛Meet Alex💛Alex is is a fictional example but a very real example of how depression can begin.Depression often leads peo...
16/06/2026

💛Meet Alex💛

Alex is is a fictional example but a very real example of how depression can begin.
Depression often leads people to withdraw from activities, relationships, and routines that once gave their lives meaning. Behavioural Activation (BA) is one therapeutic approach that helps people gradually reconnect with these areas through small, achievable steps.

This example is fictional, but the cycle it describes is common. If you're struggling with low mood, consider speaking with a mental health professional to explore what support might be right for you.

🏥 Birmingham Healthy Minds offers free, confidential NHS talking therapies.
📞 Call us: 0121 301 2525
📝 Self-refer: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-healthy-minds/
👨‍⚕️ Or speak to your GP about a referral.

10/06/2026

🧠💙 Men’s Mental Health Week 💙🧠
This week is a reminder that strength isn’t about staying silent.
Too often, men are told to “man up,” push through, and keep everything inside. But real strength is being able to say,
👉 “I’m not okay”
👉 “I need support”
👉 “I’m struggling”
Mental health matters—for everyone. And no one should feel like they have to face their battles alone.
Let’s break the stigma.
Let’s check in on our friends, brothers, dads, partners, and colleagues.
Let’s make space for honest conversations.
💬 A simple “How are you, really?” can make all the difference.
If you’re struggling, please know this:
You’re not weak.
You’re not alone.
And it’s okay to ask for help.
🏥 Birmingham Healthy Minds offers free, confidential NHS talking therapies.
📞 Call us: 0121 301 2525
📝 Self-refer: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-healthy-minds/
👨‍⚕️ Or speak to your GP about a referral.

❓💭 Feeling unsure about reaching out for support?You’re not alone. 💙Many people feel nervous, uncertain, or think they’r...
01/06/2026

❓💭 Feeling unsure about reaching out for support?
You’re not alone. 💙
Many people feel nervous, uncertain, or think they’re “not unwell enough” to ask for help, even when things feel really heavy. 🌧️
📖 Take a look at our post to read what some people have shared about their experiences after completing treatment with us.
If you're unsure about reaching out, we encourage you to read some of the feedback here. If you think we could help, please know that you’re not alone. 🤝
💡 You don’t have to have everything figured out before asking for support. Taking the first step can feel difficult, but support is available when you're ready.
🏥 Birmingham Healthy Minds offers free, confidential NHS talking therapies.
📞 Call us: 0121 301 2525
📝 Self-refer: https://www.bsmhft.nhs.uk/our-services/birmingham-healthy-minds/
👨‍⚕️ Or speak to your GP about a referral.

✨ Dementia Myths vs Facts ✨🧠There’s a lot of misunderstanding about dementia — and these myths can stop people from gett...
22/05/2026

✨ Dementia Myths vs Facts ✨🧠
There’s a lot of misunderstanding about dementia — and these myths can stop people from getting the support they need. Let’s set the record straight ⬇️
💬 Let’s break the stigma together.
If you’re worried about your memory or mental wellbeing, you’re not alone — support is available.
📍 Birmingham Healthy Minds is here to help
📞 Reach out today to learn more about support services

Address

15 Shenley Fields Drive
Birmingham
B311XH

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+441213012525

Website

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