Mental health treatment

Mental health treatment at Nightingale Hospital

Undertaking mental health treatment and therapy can be overwhelming, emotional, and anxiety-provoking. However, we’d like to reassure you that our expert team is here with the sole intention of helping you lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

For over 30 years, we’ve been delivering patient-focused mental health treatment at Nightingale Hospital. We specialise in assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health and emotional disorders using both medical and psychological therapies.

With a trusted team of over 40 consultant psychiatrists and over 100 therapists, we’re able to provide leading support across a wide range of mental health conditions.

Our experts are able to deliver a range of evidence-based therapies, including anger management therapy, art therapy, behavioural therapy, biofeedback, clinical psychology, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), cognitive analytic therapy (CAT), counselling, couples counselling, dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT), dietetics, drama therapy, family therapy, interpersonal therapy, mindfulness, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT), medication, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, well-being therapies, schema therapy, and sleep therapy. (Please note that selected therapies can only be offered within an inpatient setting).

We are an accredited service by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

We also offer specialist treatments such as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), and a new prescription nasal spray for treatment-resistant depression.

Treatment settings

Mental health treatment at Nightingale Hospital can be accessed in the following settings:

Outpatient appointments

Outpatient treatment involves one-to-one appointments with a mental health professional, who may either be a consultant psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, or therapist. These can usually take place either face-to-face or remotely.

Our robust clinical team can provide outpatient treatment for a variety of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and stress; as well as addictions and eating disorders.

• Read more about outpatient treatment

Day therapy treatment

Nightingale Hospital day therapy consists of full or half days of therapy sessions. In day therapy, patients take part in the inpatient group therapy programme, either for the treatment of general mental health problems (general psychiatry), addictions or eating disorders. Following the completion of a day therapy programme, the patient will have access to a free weekly aftercare support group held at the hospital, for up to one year.

• Read more about day therapy treatment

Inpatient treatment

Nightingale Hospital offers inpatient services for those dealing with acute conditions and needing intensive treatment coupled with 24-hour support and risk monitoring.  This can be essential when a patient poses a serious risk of harming themselves and/or others. It can also be highly appropriate for patients who find they need further support than outpatient or day therapy can provide. It can be a huge source of emotional support as patients are made to feel safe, nurtured and supported around the clock. Nightingale Hospital London has specialist mental health units for adults across general psychiatry, OCD and related disorders, addictions or eating disorders.

A full multidisciplinary team work together to support patients on their recovery journey. Psychiatrists, ward doctors and nurses and an extensive therapy team, which includes psychologists, trauma therapists, counselling psychologists and psychotherapists all have a crucial role in delivering care.

• Read more about inpatient treatment. 

Therapy options at Nightingale Hospital

We first assess and understand the particular needs of a person and then recommend an appropriate course of therapy in a tailored care plan. Our therapy treatments have clearly defined goals and we teach various techniques to our patients that they can put into practice in their everyday lives.

Individual therapy

Individual therapy can be very beneficial as it provides a non-judgemental, confidential, and safe space for people to experience being listened to, accepted, and understood. Feelings, thoughts, and behaviours can be explored. An individual’s past and present experiences can then begin to form the basis for new understandings and ways of experiencing themselves internally and in the context of their surroundings.

Group therapy

Group therapy at Nightingale Hospital is extremely comprehensive, giving all patients the opportunity to experience interpersonal sessions as well as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) theory, practice, and psycho-education. This enables patients to leave with emotional insight and understanding in addition to the tools they need to improve their mental well-being in their day-to-day lives.

For many patients, significant progress is made as a result of their group therapy sessions, as it leads them to explore their emotions and feelings with others experiencing similar difficulties. Group therapy provides a unique chance to confront and challenge the way we see ourselves, improve our relationships, and learn new ways of being in the world.

Family or couples therapy

Family or couples therapy enables parents and children, or any family member/couple to meet in a safe, therapeutic, and non-judgemental setting to discuss the problems they are facing. Family or couple therapy aims to heal and reveal by permitting and encouraging members to identify and explore differences or dysfunctional patterns of behaviour, together.

Medication

Psychotropic medications are used to treat the symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, and ADHD. They cannot cure the disorder, but they make people feel better so they can function. Medications are often used alongside other treatments such as psychotherapy.

Choosing the right medication, medication dose, and treatment plan are based on a person’s individual needs and medical situation, and under a consultant psychiatrist’s care.

Nightingale Hospital pharmacy

The pharmacy is run by specialist mental health pharmacists who are providing medical information to staff and to all our patients and as a high level of customer service to inpatients and outpatients.

We are able to arrange repeat prescriptions of medications, international delivery of medication, and couriers to deliver medication when needed. We pride ourselves on being able to maintain stock of all relevant psychotropic medications including specialist items, to ensure that the needs of the patient are always met.

Our usual opening hours are:

• Monday to Friday 9:00am to 6:00pm
• The pharmacy is closed on weekends and bank holidays

Side effects

Side effects can occur with psychotropic medications.

Factors that can affect how medications work include:

• Type of mental disorder
• Age, sex, and body size
• Physical illnesses
• Habits like smoking and drinking
• Liver and kidney function
• Genetics
• Other medications and herbal/vitamin supplements
• Diet
• Whether medications are taken as prescribed

On-going support at Nightingale Hospital

Free after-care group

Nightingale Hospital offers free support groups for patients who have completed their inpatient and/or day therapy programmes. We understand there can be challenges after your treatment and therapy, which is why we would like to further help with your transition by providing these free groups for one year following your discharge.

Free family support group

You may feel frustrated that you can’t take away the feelings your loved one is struggling with but we are here to advise, give information, and support you in helping them. Nightingale Hospital offers a number of FREE specialised addictions, eating disorders and general psychiatry groups for our current patient’s families, facilitated by experts in their respective fields.

Consenting to your treatment

The specialist treating you will regularly ask you whether you consent to your treatment and the elements that make up your care plan. This is why it is vital you continually participate in the planning and reviewing of your programme so you understand what is expected of you, what you can expect from the treatment, and that you are able to give your consent to participate in treatment confidently.

Please remember, however, that you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time.