WellPath Mental Health Services
Compassionate, professional mental health support across Lancashire
You Don’t Have to Face This Alone
WellPath provides NHS-funded and private mental health services across Preston, Blackpool, and Lancaster. Whether you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, or just feeling overwhelmed – we’re here. Self-referral welcome. No GP letter needed for most services.
🧠 What We Treat
- Anxiety & panic disorders
- Depression & low mood
- Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
- Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
- Grief & bereavement
- Stress & burnout
- Phobias & fears
💙 Our Services
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Counselling & psychotherapy
- Group therapy sessions
- 24/7 crisis helpline
- Online therapy (video sessions)
- Psychiatric assessment
- Medication reviews
✨ Our Approach
- Evidence-based treatments
- Person-centered care
- No judgment, ever
- Flexible appointment times
- Cultural sensitivity
- LGBTQ+ affirming
- Complete confidentiality
📖 Client Story: How Sarah Overcame Crippling Anxiety
Sarah, 31, had experienced anxiety since her teens, but after becoming a mum in 2023, her anxiety spiraled. She had panic attacks daily, couldn’t leave the house, and felt like she was failing as a parent. Her GP prescribed medication but Sarah felt like she needed more support.
“I was terrified all the time. Panic attacks every single day. I couldn’t take my daughter to playgroup because I’d panic on the bus. I felt like the worst mum in the world. My GP referred me to WellPath and within 2 weeks I had my first CBT session. My therapist, Jenny, didn’t judge me – she understood. She taught me that anxiety was my body’s alarm system going off when there was no real danger. Over 12 weeks, we worked through techniques – breathing exercises, challenging my anxious thoughts, gradual exposure to the things I feared. It wasn’t easy. Some weeks I felt worse before I felt better. But Jenny kept telling me that was normal, part of the process. By week 8, I’d taken my daughter to playgroup. By week 12, I’d been to the supermarket alone – something I hadn’t done in a year. I still get anxious sometimes, but now I have the tools to manage it. I got my life back.”
Sarah’s journey with WellPath:
- Before: Daily panic attacks, housebound, struggling to parent
- Referral: GP referral to WellPath (NHS-funded, free)
- Assessment: Phone assessment within 2 weeks, diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder + Panic Disorder
- Treatment: 12 sessions of CBT (1 hour per week) with registered therapist
- Techniques learned: Breathing exercises, cognitive restructuring, gradual exposure
- Outcome: Panic attacks reduced from 30/week to 2-3/month, left house independently, returned to activities, better parenting confidence
- Now: Discharged from service with relapse prevention plan, knows how to self-manage anxiety
Sarah is one of 8,500+ people we’ve supported to better mental health.
Our Services Explained
We offer both NHS-funded (free) and private options depending on your situation and urgency.
🧠 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
What is CBT? An evidence-based talking therapy that helps you manage problems by changing how you think and behave. It’s proven effective for anxiety, depression, OCD, PTSD, and phobias.
What happens in CBT sessions:
- Session 1-2: Assessment – therapist understands your situation, symptoms, triggers
- Session 3-4: Psychoeducation – learn about your condition, how thoughts/feelings/behaviors connect
- Session 5-8: Skills building – learn techniques (thought challenging, behavioral experiments, exposure work)
- Session 9-12: Practice & reinforcement – apply skills to real situations, relapse prevention planning
CBT works best for:
- Anxiety disorders (GAD, social anxiety, panic disorder)
- Depression
- OCD (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
- PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
- Phobias (spiders, flying, heights, etc.)
- Health anxiety
Session format:
- 50-60 minutes per session
- Usually weekly (can be fortnightly)
- Face-to-face OR video call (your choice)
- Homework between sessions (practice exercises, thought diaries)
NHS-funded (free):
- Waiting time: 4-8 weeks from referral to first session
- Number of sessions: 6-12 (depending on progress)
- How to access: Self-refer on our website OR GP referral
Private (£65 per session):
- Waiting time: 1-2 weeks
- Number of sessions: As many as you need
- How to access: Call 01772 555 6000 and book
💬 Counselling & Psychotherapy
What’s the difference from CBT? Counselling is more open-ended and exploratory. Less structured than CBT. Good for people who need space to talk, process emotions, and understand themselves better.
Counselling helps with:
- Grief and bereavement
- Relationship difficulties
- Low self-esteem
- Life transitions (divorce, job loss, retirement)
- Trauma processing
- Identity issues
Types of counselling we offer:
- Person-Centered: Non-directive, you lead the conversation
- Psychodynamic: Explores past experiences and unconscious patterns
- Integrative: Combines different approaches based on your needs
NHS option (limited availability):
- 6-8 sessions typically
- Wait time: 8-12 weeks
- For specific issues (bereavement, recent trauma)
Private option:
- £60 per 50-minute session
- Book as many as you need (typically 12-20 sessions)
- Start within 1-2 weeks
👥 Group Therapy
What is group therapy? A therapist leads a small group (6-12 people) with similar difficulties. You learn from each other, practice skills together, and realize you’re not alone.
Current groups we run:
- Managing Anxiety Group – 8 weeks, Tuesdays 6-7:30pm
- Depression & Low Mood Group – 8 weeks, Thursdays 2-3:30pm
- Social Anxiety Group – 10 weeks, Wednesdays 6:30-8pm
- Mindfulness for Stress – 6 weeks, Mondays 7-8pm
- Bereavement Support Group – 6 weeks, Fridays 2-3:30pm
Who group therapy suits:
- People who feel isolated by their mental health
- Those who learn well from others’ experiences
- Anyone wanting peer support alongside professional help
Who it doesn’t suit:
- People in acute crisis (1-to-1 is better)
- Those with very specific/unique situations
- Anyone uncomfortable sharing in groups (that’s OK!)
How to join: Self-refer via website or phone. Brief phone assessment, then placed on next available group (usually 2-4 weeks wait).
🆘 24/7 Crisis Helpline
Call if you’re:
- Having thoughts of suicide or self-harm
- In immediate emotional crisis
- Experiencing severe panic or anxiety
- Feeling unsafe or overwhelmed
- Need urgent mental health support
What happens when you call:
- Trained crisis worker answers (usually within 2 minutes)
- They’ll listen without judgment
- Help you work through immediate crisis
- Create a safety plan
- Connect you to emergency services if needed
- Arrange urgent follow-up appointment if appropriate
It’s completely confidential. We only break confidentiality if we believe you’re at immediate serious risk and emergency services need to be involved – we’d discuss this with you first.
💻 Online Therapy (Video Sessions)
Same therapy, just online: CBT, counselling, and assessments all available via video call. Same qualified therapists, same quality.
Good for:
- People with mobility issues or disabilities
- Those in rural areas far from our offices
- Parents who can’t arrange childcare
- Anyone with social anxiety who finds face-to-face hard
- People who prefer the comfort of home
What you need:
- Device with camera (laptop, tablet, smartphone)
- Reliable internet connection
- Private space where you won’t be interrupted
- Headphones (recommended for privacy)
Just as effective: Research shows online therapy is as effective as face-to-face for most conditions.
💊 Psychiatric Assessment & Medication
What is a psychiatric assessment? A detailed evaluation by a qualified psychiatrist (medical doctor specializing in mental health). They can diagnose conditions and prescribe medication if appropriate.
When you might need this:
- Unsure of your diagnosis
- Therapy alone hasn’t helped
- Considering medication
- Need medication review or adjustment
- Complex mental health needs
What happens:
- Initial assessment: 60-90 minutes, full psychiatric history, diagnosis
- Treatment plan: Medication recommendations, therapy suggestions, lifestyle advice
- Follow-ups: 30 minutes every 4-8 weeks to monitor medication
Cost:
- Initial consultation: £200
- Follow-up appointments: £120
- Prescriptions: Standard NHS prescription charges (£9.90 per item) OR private prescription filled at pharmacy
Note: This is private only. For NHS psychiatric services, you need GP referral to secondary mental health services (CMHT).
Where to Find Us
📍 Preston Centre
Address:
WellPath House
15 Winckley Square
Preston
PR1 3JJ
Phone: 01772 555 6000
Services: All services available
Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8am-8pm
Saturday: 9am-5pm
Sunday: Closed
Parking: Q-Park Ringway (5 min walk)
Access: Ground floor, wheelchair accessible, disabled toilet
📍 Blackpool Office
Address:
Seaside House
32 Clifton Street
Blackpool
FY1 1JP
Phone: 01253 555 7000
Services: CBT, counselling, group therapy (limited slots)
Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 9am-7pm
Friday: 9am-5pm
Weekends: Closed
Parking: Street parking nearby
Access: First floor, lift available
📍 Lancaster Clinic
Address:
Castle View
8 Meeting House Lane
Lancaster
LA1 1TH
Phone: 01524 555 8000
Services: Assessment, CBT, counselling (appointment only)
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday: 10am-6pm
Other days: Closed
Parking: Limited spaces, pay & display
Note: Smaller clinic, book ahead
How to Access Our Services
Self-Refer or GP Referral
NHS: Fill in online form at wellpath.org.uk/refer OR ask GP to refer you. Private: Just call and book.
Initial Assessment
Phone or video assessment (20-30 mins). We’ll understand your difficulties and recommend the best treatment.
Start Treatment
NHS: Wait 4-12 weeks depending on service. Private: Usually within 1-2 weeks. Then begin therapy!
Common Questions
❓ Do I need a GP referral?
Not for most NHS services – you can self-refer online for CBT, counselling, and group therapy. For private services, no referral needed at all – just call and book. For NHS psychiatric services (not offered by us), you do need GP referral.
❓ How long are the waiting lists?
NHS: 4-8 weeks for CBT, 8-12 weeks for counselling, 2-4 weeks for group therapy. Private: 1-2 weeks for everything. Crisis helpline: Immediate, 24/7.
❓ Is everything confidential?
Yes. What you tell us stays private. The only exceptions: (1) You tell us you’re going to seriously harm yourself or someone else, or (2) You disclose child abuse. In these rare cases, we have a duty to inform relevant services – but we’d discuss this with you first.
❓ What if I can’t afford private but the NHS wait is too long?
Some options: (1) Join a group therapy program (shorter wait), (2) Ask about our sliding scale fees (we offer reduced rates for low income – ask when booking), (3) Look into charitable mental health funding, (4) Some employers offer EAP (Employee Assistance Program) with free counselling sessions.
❓ Can I choose my therapist?
NHS: Usually allocated based on availability. Private: Yes, you can request specific therapists. Our website has therapist bios – you can see their photo, specialties, approach. Just mention your preference when booking.
❓ What if therapy doesn’t work for me?
It’s OK to change therapists if you don’t click – therapeutic relationship is important. It’s also OK to pause or stop if you don’t find it helpful. About 60-75% of people benefit from therapy, but it’s not for everyone or every situation. Be honest with your therapist if it’s not working.
❓ I’m scared to talk about my problems – will I be judged?
No. Our therapists have heard everything. Literally everything. They’re trained to be non-judgmental and compassionate. You can go at your own pace – you don’t have to share everything in session 1. Many people find the anticipation is worse than the actual experience.
❓ Do you prescribe medication?
Our psychiatrists can (private service only, £200 initial consultation). Our psychologists and therapists cannot prescribe – but they can recommend you see your GP or our psychiatrist if medication might help alongside therapy.
❓ Can I bring someone with me to appointments?
To your initial assessment, yes – many people find this helpful. To therapy sessions, usually no – therapy works best one-to-one. Exception: family therapy or couples therapy obviously involves multiple people. Discuss with your therapist.
❓ What if I’m suicidal?
Call our crisis line immediately: 0800 953 0110 (24/7). If you’ve already harmed yourself or are about to, call 999 or go to A&E. We’re here to help but we’re not emergency services – if you’re in immediate danger, you need urgent medical help.
Ask Our Website Assistant
Get instant answers about our services, waiting times, how to access therapy, costs, and what to expect. Available 24/7.
Try asking these questions:
💬 WellPath Website Assistant
This is where your ChatBot1 plugin will be integrated. The assistant can answer questions about WellPath services, treatments, costs, waiting times, and how to access support.
Example questions it can answer:
- What therapy do you offer for anxiety?
- How long is the NHS waiting list?
- Do you see people with depression?
- Where are your offices?
- Is therapy confidential?
- What happens in a CBT session?
- Can I self-refer?
- What’s your crisis helpline?
WellPath Mental Health Services is a fictional organization created for demonstration purposes. This page shows how mental health services can use a Website Assistant to provide 24/7 information about therapy options, waiting times, and how to access support. If you need real mental health support in the UK, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or in crisis call Samaritans on 116 123.
