NHS Hertfordshire Talking Therapies Service

The NHS Hertfordshire Talking Therapies service is part of the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression programme, offering free and confidential talking therapy and employment support for anyone over the age of 16 who is registered, or intending to be registered with a GP, in Hertfordshire.

What do Talking Therapies have to do with Diabetes?

Did you know that if you are living with a long term physical health condition, such as diabetes, you are up to three times more likely to experience anxiety and/or depression associated with this? Diabetes isn't just a physical condition; it can deeply affect one’s mood, stress levels, and motivation to self-care. Talking therapy addresses these challenges, often improving emotional wellbeing and diabetes self-care management.

People living with diabetes often experience:

  • Diabetes distress – feeling overwhelmed by the burden of daily self-care.
  • Diabetes burnout – physical and emotional exhaustion from constant diabetes management demands.
  • Depression or anxiety – common in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
  • Fear of hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) – leading to anxiety and/or avoidance.
  • Body image and/or eating difficulties – especially with the use of diabetes devices or weight-related concerns.
  • Excessive checking – around blood glucose levels due to fear of long-term complications.
  • Trauma – following an emergency Hospital admission, such as DKA or HHS.  
  • Sleep difficulties – especially when blood glucose levels remain higher than recommended, leading to frequent urination, which can disrupt sleep.

How Talking Therapy can help:

  • Improve coping skills and reduce diabetes distress or burnout.
  • Encourage compassionate self-care while managing this unrelenting condition.
  • Reduce stress, which is one of the factors that can affect blood glucose.
  • Enhance your self-confidence in managing the challenges of living with diabetes.
  • Improve sleep, which can help you manage the demands of diabetes.
  • Manage worries about your health.
  • Re-evaluate unhelpful thoughts about living with diabetes.
  • Address fear of hypoglycaemia and needle phobia.
  • Help with implementing lifestyle changes you want to accomplish.

If any of the areas above reflect what you would like to focus on, you can refer yourself for an assessment or ask a healthcare professional to make a referral on your behalf. Our team of experienced therapists will work with you to understand your current difficulties and liaise with your diabetes team (with your consent) to better understand the challenges you are facing with regards to diabetes management. We will support you in implementing specific techniques to help you manage this condition, improve your quality of life and feel better in yourself.

What type of Talking Therapy is available?

Our service offers a range of treatment options to help you make positive changes in your life and improve your wellbeing. We also provide support in different formats, including interactive webinars, group sessions and 1-1 therapy delivered via telephone, online video conference, face-to-face or a combination of formats. Therapy will be tailored to your specific needs and difficulties.

How to access the service:

Self-referral

Talking Therapies Self-referral (HPFT)

Or call Single Point of Access (SPA) on 0800 6444101

Referral for professionals

Talking Therapies Clinical referral form

Or call Single Point of Access (SPA) on 0800 6444101

Additional information