Starting therapy can feel daunting, especially if you're not sure what to expect. In this episode of Let's Open Up About Therapy, Dr Ruth Schumacher is joined by Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) Tap. They explore, from the inside, what it is really like to work with a PWP in NHS Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies.

Tap shares how PWPs work with people experiencing common mental health difficulties such as stress, anxiety and low mood, and explains what low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) involves. Together, they discuss what happens first, what goes on in sessions, and why, to give you a glimpse behind the scenes.

If you've ever wondered what goes on in Talking Therapies; whether you have to lie on a couch, or what it's like to speak with a PWP for the first time, this episode offers a reassuring insight into the reality of opening up.

One message shines through: despite some worries people may have before reaching out, it's often much simpler than they imagine. As Tap explains, it's just a conversation.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) does
• Common reasons people access Talking Therapies
• Understanding stress, anxiety and low mood
• What "low-intensity" CBT means
• How to access NHS Talking Therapies
• What happens if you refer
• Treatment options including one-to-one, group and online support
• What to expect from your sessions with a PWP
• Why seeking support can be less daunting than you might think

Whether you're considering support for yourself, a friend or family member, this episode provides a helpful introduction to the first steps of working with a PWP.

Find out more about Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies and refer yourself via our website: www.hpft-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk

Connect with us on social media: @HPFTTalkingTherapies

Coming up next: Tap returns to answer some of the questions people are often too afraid to ask. What is a therapeutic relationship? Will you have homework between sessions? How involved do you need to be for it to work? And what can you do to get the most out of your sessions?

Join us as we continue to open up about therapy.

What is therapy really like once you step inside the room? Does it look like the versions we see on television and in films, or is the reality something quite different?

In this episode of Let's Open Up: About Therapy, Dr Ruth Schumacher continues her conversation with Misha as she reflects on her expectations of therapy before she started and how those expectations compared to her real experience.

Misha shares how she initially imagined therapy as a detached conversation with a therapist sitting behind a desk. Instead, she discovered a collaborative process that encouraged self-reflection, practical learning, and personal growth. She talks openly about completing exercises between sessions, working through emotions that surfaced during therapy, and the importance of giving herself time to process what she was learning.

Together, Ruth and Misha explore:

• What Misha expected therapy to be like before starting
• How her actual experience challenged common misconceptions about therapy
• The role of homework and practising skills between sessions
• Working at a pace that felt supportive and manageable
• Why personal reflection and self-care were important during therapy
• The idea of "learning fast but processing slowly"
• Making sense of emotions, thoughts and long-standing patterns

This honest conversation offers valuable insight into the therapeutic process and highlights that therapy is often about more than what happens during a session. Real change can continue to develop between appointments as new ideas, emotions and perspectives begin to take shape.

Please note: Misha's experience is unique to her. NHS Talking Therapies offers a range of evidence-based therapies, and each person's treatment journey will be tailored to their individual needs.

Find out more about Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies and refer yourself via our website: www.hpft-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk

Follow ‘Let's Open Up’ Therapy on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Connect with us on social media: @HPFTTalkingTherapies

Coming up next: Hear from Tap, a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner working within NHS Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies as we continue to explore what therapy is really like, how it works, and what you can expect when reaching out for support.

How can therapy help you change lifelong patterns and respond differently to difficult situations?

In this second episode of Let's Open Up: About Therapy, Dr Ruth Schumacher continues her conversation with Misha as she reflects on the lasting impact of her one-to-one Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

Misha shares how therapy helped her become more aware of her thoughts, behaviours and self-worth, enabling her to break unhelpful patterns and set healthier boundaries. She talks openly about learning to pause before reacting, understanding her triggers, and responding to challenging situations in ways that better support her wellbeing.

Together, Ruth and Misha explore:

• How the behavioural side of CBT helped create positive change
• Recognising and breaking lifelong patterns of people-pleasing
• Learning to respond rather than react to difficult situations
• Building self-awareness, boundaries and self-worth
• The impact therapy had on Misha's relationships and daily life
• Her advice for anyone considering seeking support

In an honest reflection, Misha describes therapy as life-changing and explains why she felt compelled to thank her therapist for the difference it made.

Please note: Misha's experience is unique to her. NHS Talking Therapies offers a range of evidence-based therapies, and each person's treatment journey will be tailored to their individual needs.

Find out more about Hertfordshire and Mid Essex Talking Therapies and refer yourself via our website: www.hpft-talkingtherapies.nhs.uk

Follow ‘Let's Open Up’ on your preferred podcast platform so you never miss an episode.

Connect with us on social media: @HPFTTalkingTherapies

Coming up next: Misha reflects on her expectations of therapy, how the reality compared to what she imagined, and what surprised her most about the experience.