World Mental Health Day: The Names, Apps & Websites To Know
THE DESTINATIONS TO KNOW
Self Space
BEST FOR: Therapy on demand
The way we think about therapy has undergone a significant transformation over the last decade. Whether you’re struggling with work-related stress, relationship issues or low self-esteem, the experts at Self Space are here to help. On a mission to make therapy more accessible, it offers on-demand therapy both virtually and on the high street at one of its four locations, so you can simply walk in and see a therapist the very same day. If you’re not sure where to start, Self Space offers a therapy matching service that will connect you with the right therapist and the style of therapy to best support your needs.
PRICE POINT: A 30-minute session costs £60.
Visit TheSelfSpace.com
The Soke
BEST FOR: Best-in-class private mental health care
Offering the full spectrum of psychotherapy, psychiatry, counselling and coaching services, The Soke is the latest arrival on the capital’s mental health scene. Aiming to destigmatise the world of therapy, The Soke’s expert roster features some of the world’s best therapists, trained to deal with addictive behaviours, divorce, family conflict, career planning, redundancy, infertility and everything in between. Its Alpha-Stim treatment is worth try if you’re suffering from anxiety. It’s approved by the NHS and proven to start treating depression in as little as 20 minutes.
PRICE POINT: Prices depend on the therapist you see. For more information email reception@thesoke.uk
Visit TheSoke.uk
THE NAMES TO KNOW
Elaine Slater
BEST FOR: Those who want to talk it out
Elaine is a psychologist, as well as a psychotherapeutic counsellor. A certified life coach and neuro linguistic practitioner, too, she’s also trained in meditation and breathwork, and runs her services out of a private practice on Harley Street and in Chelsea. With additional experience treating patients at the Priory Hospital Roehampton, Elaine has also practised at the Grace Clinic Belgravia and Bamford Haybarn Spa in the Cotswolds. Her directive and solution-focused sessions aim to expand your self-awareness, releasing feelings of panic, worry, shame, guilt, fear and anxiety, while her talking therapy will help you heal emotional wounds and challenge deep-seated behavioural patterns and belief systems. From there, Elaine offers coping strategies and psychological resources to manage the demands of modern life.
PRICE POINT: An initial consultation lasts around 90 minutes, with prices available on booking.
Visit ElaineSlater.com
Amy Launder
BEST FOR: Low mental health, confidence and self-esteem
A BACP accredited psychotherapist and psychological coach, Amy has been practicing for over six years and has more than 1,000 hours of clinical experience. Her warm, gentle approach uses a combination of traditional counselling and psychological coaching to take you from a negative space to a manageable place to support better emotional wellbeing. If you’re not ready for one-to-one therapy, Amy also offers workshops – past topics include narcissistic abuse in relationships, how trauma impacts the brain and the impact of narcissistic parenting. Amy practices from a private therapy office in the heart of Clapham Junction.
PRICE POINT: Each 50-minute session costs £75.
Visit AmyLaunder.com
Imogen Little
BEST FOR: Craniosacral therapy
Following the traumatic birth of her daughter in 2017, Imogen discovered craniosacral therapy as a means to calm the nervous system and hasn’t looked back. Practicing from clinics in both London and Hampshire, her gentle method helps cure structural, visceral and also emotional issues. Through light touch, her method of craniosacral therapy kickstarts your body’s self-healing mechanisms to rebalance and restore itself through relieving tension in the body caused by accumulative and daily stress, including past traumatic events, accidents or injury.
PRICE POINT: Following a complimentary ten-minute consultation, an initial 90-minute session is £100, but it’s cheaper if you a buy a bundle of sessions.
Visit HealAndNow.com
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Holli Rubin
BEST FOR: Multiple disciplines & issues
As a qualified psychologist, social worker and therapist with The Soke, Holli takes an integrative approach to mental health. As well as working with clients within a singular therapeutic relationship, she’s known for combining physical and psychological interventions to treat a host of issues. When necessary, Holli will also introduce colleagues with particular areas of expertise to different clients, ensuring various specialisms are used to offer the best outcome to clients. She also specialises in body image issues, specifically among younger people.
PRICE POINT: Prices vary depending on location, therapist and service required. All enquiries can be made by emailing reception@thesoke.uk.
Visit TheSoke.uk
Suzy Reading
BEST FOR: Mums who are feeling overwhelmed
An SL favourite, chartered psychologist Suzy Reading is a name to know when it comes to self-care, especially if you’re a new mum. It was Suzy’s life experience of motherhood colliding with the terminal illness of her father that sparked her passion for self-care, which she now teaches to her clients to help them better cope during periods of stress and change. If you feel your emotions and stress levels are all over the place, Suzy can help – book a session with her over Zoom or the phone. Suzy’s Instagram (@SuzyReading) is also full of helpful content.
PRICE POINT: From £125 per one-to-one session, but reduced rates are available.
Visit SuzyReading.co.uk
Fiona Lamb
BEST FOR: Hypnotherapy
By working at theta brain wave activity, hypnotherapy has been shown to be 93% effective after just six sessions compared to 38% effective after 600 psychoanalysis sessions. Specialising in mental health, addiction, emotional eating and insomnia, Fiona will help you manage negative thoughts and behaviours on an unconscious level through the power of hypnotherapy. On a mission to remove the taboos surrounding hypnotherapy, Fiona’s approach is fresh and modern, and her realistic, soothing advice has earned her the reputation as of one the capital’s top practitioners. Fiona is usually based on Harley Street, but online sessions have been proven to be just as effective – all you need is a decent pair of headphones.
PRICE POINT: Sessions are priced from £200 but a package of six is recommended for the best results.
Visit FionaLamb.com
APPS
The Calm App
BEST FOR: Anyone struggling to sleep
If you’re struggling with disturbed sleep patterns, you’re probably not alone. The Calm app is billed as the number one platform for sleep, meditation and relaxation – it’s been downloaded more than 100 million times and earned over 1.5 million five-star reviews. Best known for its ‘Sleep Stories’ these chilled out tales are narrated by some of the world’s biggest stars – think Matthew McConoughey, Stephen Fry and Regé-Jean Page.
PRICE POINT: There are some free resources available online, and there is a seven-day free trial available. Thereafter, monthly subscriptions are billed at £28.99 or you can pay a one-off fee of £299.99 for lifetime access.
Download it here
Feel Better
BEST FOR: An all-round approach
Perhaps best known for her game-changing approach to healthy eating, Ella Mills has recently updated her popular app to include a host of meditation, wellness and mental health-focused content. Once you download it, you’ll have access to hundreds of plant-based recipes, movement classes spanning yoga to barre, a range of sleep tools (we rate the sound baths) and a wellness tracker. Compatible with mobile, laptop and desktop, think of it as 360° route to better health.
PRICE POINT: There’s a free trial available for new users, with monthly subscriptions charged at £2.99 thereafter.
Download it here
Headspace
BEST FOR: Daily mindfulness
With increasing studies showing meditation and mindfulness are crucial for looking after your mental wellbeing, it’s worth downloading Headspace. Whether you’re struggling to sleep, feel constantly anxious or overwhelmed, Headspace offers essential tools for managing stress. If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend signing up to one of its seven-day meditation courses, which can be done in your own time. From there, dip in as you please – we also love the daily meditation, which provides a five or ten-minute dose of mindfulness to start your day.
PRICE POINT: Your first seven days are free, and then £49.99 for 12 months.
Download it here
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The Anxiety Solution
BEST FOR: Anxious types
Today, anxiety is one of the most common mental health complaints, with an estimated 275 million people around the world experiencing symptoms. The Anxiety Solution app has been dubbed ‘a complete anxiety toolkit’, and looks at the numerous ways anxiety can manifest, including low self-esteem, racing thoughts at night, difficulty making decisions, procrastination and difficulty speaking in front of others. Thankfully, founder and anxiety expert Chloe Brotheridge also offers a range of solutions via her platform, from CBT techniques to mindfulness meditations to help you understand what your anxiety is trying to tell you and how to manage it in your everyday life.
PRICE POINT: A free trial is available to new users with a range of subscription packages available thereafter, priced from £5.99 per month.
Download it here
WEBSITES
NHS Every Mind Matters
BEST FOR: Simple, straightforward advice
Whatever the ailment, the NHS website is often a good place to start – and the same goes for mental health. With far more awareness around the subject, the national healthcare professionals have put together a list of resources, articles and advice pieces to help you explore your own mental health. There’s advice for parents dealing with anxious children, those struggling with loneliness and anyone looking for ways to improve their mental clarity. Not sure where to begin? The Get Your Mind Plan is entirely tailored to your needs and can be delivered to your phone after answering five simple questions.
PRICE POINT: The service is free.
Visit NHS.uk
BBC Headroom
BEST FOR: Men who want to explore mental health
By now, we all know men find it far more difficult to open up and share their feelings than women. If you’re concerned about the man in your life, direct him to the BBC’s Headroom site – a platform full of interesting and informative articles and videos tackling different mental health issues. A lot of the content is directed specifically at men, while other pieces dig deep into controversial mental health treatments like psychedelic drugs and music therapy. You’ll also find sleep playlists, exercise tools and a host of other coping method suggestions here.
PRICE POINT: Everything uploaded onto the service is free to consume, although some content does require a TV licence.
Visit BBC.co.uk
Oliva
BEST FOR: Personalised Therapy
Offering a bespoke approach to online therapy, each Oliva journey starts with a 60-minute chat with one of the team’s therapists to better understand your objectives and how you’re feeling. Within 24 hours, you’ll be matched with a therapist and after your first two sessions, the team will check in to see how you’re doing. Trained to help with everything from depression and relationship issues to grief and adapting to parenthood, every Oliva therapist has a minimum of seven years’ practising experience and goes through a six-step recruitment process. Sessions can be booked between 7am and 8pm on weekdays and can be rescheduled up to 48 hours before the scheduled time.
PRICE POINT: New customers can book a free 20-minute video chat with the Oliva team; prices start from £85 per session thereafter.
Visit Oliva.House
Healingclouds
BEST FOR: Affordable therapy
Having recently been named as one of the best online mental healthcare platforms, Healingclouds is on a mission to remove the obstacles faced by those needing support. One of the UK’s lowest-priced therapy providers, this online service connects users to a pool of therapists via video call, with 60 to 90-minute sessions from as little as £35. A range of therapies are available from accredited practitioners – think CBT, psychological counselling and psychotherapy – and the service also offers therapist-led courses, giving users access to expert mental health knowledge from just £7 a month.
PRICE POINT: Healingclouds offers several monthly subscription packages, from £45 per month to include one therapy session, to a more premium package including four sessions at £140 per month.
Visit HealingClouds.com
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