CBT wait lists hoped to reduce after therapists achieve higher qualification

Manx Care believes it will help demand on other mental health services too

Manx Care is hopeful it's taken a step forward to help reduce wait times for one of its most in-demand mental health services.

Eight therapists have achieved their Postgraduate Diploma Awards in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - or CBT.

It's a talking therapy that can help people manage their problems by changing the way they think and is commonly used to treat depression and anxiety.

Manx Care says 'upskilling' these colleagues has helped overcome difficult recruitment challenges by investing in existing teams.

CBT has had one of the longest waiting lists for a number of years, but it's hoped the waiting times are now going down for this type of therapy and for the service in general. 

In April 2023 71% of people on the CBT waiting list had been waiting three months or more but by April this year that had reduced to 50%. 

It's hoped this will go down to 25% as a result of these therapists achieving their diplomas.

Mathew Drewry is one of the therapists who've earned the qualification and Ruari Donald is Principal Psychologist for Counselling and Therapies within the Community Wellbeing Service.