TALKWORKS is Devon's NHS Talking Therapies service. We offer a range of treatment and support to help adults (age 18+), living in Devon (excluding Plymouth) with a common mental health problem. 

If you are working with a patient who is living with a long-term physical health condition that is impacting their mental health, you can (with their knowledge and consent) refer them to TALKWORKS. Our Talking Health team are a group of clinicians that are experienced in working with patients with physical health difficulties.

TALKWORKS is not able to offer treatment for all mental health problems and is not a crisis response service. Before making an online referral on behalf of a patient, please read the information below to check that TALKWORKS is the best placed service to meet the patient's needs. You can also review our decision tree.

Front of a building with NHS and TALKWORKS signage

What TALKWORKS can help with

  • Low mood and depression
  • Sleep difficulties
  • Stress (including work-related stress)
  • Low self-esteem
  • Panic attacks
  • Excessive worry
  • Phobias
  • Anxiety in social situations
  • Health anxiety
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  • Mild to moderate binge eating disorder or bulimia
  • Prolonged and unresolved grief
  • Difficulties coping with a long term physical health condition
  • Stress, anxiety or low mood related to pregnancy or after having a baby
  • Stress related to menopause
  • People who are experiencing a common mental health problem (such stress, depression or anxiety) and are neurodivergent, with a diagnosis of autism or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

What TALKWORKS cannot help with

  • People experiencing a mental health crisis (if you need emergency mental health support, please visit the Devon Partnership NHS Trust website)
  • People who have plans or intent to significantly harm themselves, or other people, or who have recently harmed themselves or others
    People whose primary problem relates to an ongoing abusive relationship or a very unstable home environment
  • People who are rough sleeping
  • People who are waiting for, or are already receiving, help from a specialist mental health service such as a Community Mental Health Team

Five adults are walking together, with their backs to the camera

People whose primary problem is:

  • Bipolar disorder or cyclothymia
  • Psychosis or schizophrenia
  • Related to the symptoms of a personality disorder
  • Anorexia and other restrictive eating disorders
  • Dementia
  • A severe learning disability
  • Dependence on drugs and/or alcohol
  • Problem gambling or other addictions
  • Very complex post-traumatic stress disorder
  • A need for marriage guidance or relationship counselling
  • Difficulties with emotional regulation, anger and/or impulsive behaviour
  • Sexual dysfunction

Other services who may be better placed to help

If you think TALKWORKS is the right service to meet your patient's needs, you can refer them for support by filling out the form in the button below.

If you are unsure about whether TALKWORKS is the right service for your patient and would like to speak with a clinician, please call us on 0300 5553344 or email the Talking Health team: dpt.talkworks.talkinghealth@nhs.net. 

Professionals Referral Form