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Private Talking Therapy · Standish, Wigan

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy that actually works.

Evidence-based CBT delivered by accredited, experienced therapists. Practical tools to manage anxiety, low mood, OCD, trauma and more — at your own pace, in person or online.

Accredited therapists CQC regulated Self-refer — no GP needed In-person or video
What is CBT

A short, structured therapy with strong evidence behind it.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a goal-oriented talking therapy that examines the relationship between your thoughts, feelings, physical sensations and behaviours. When one part of that cycle is stuck — for instance, a recurring worried thought or an avoidance habit — it tends to keep the others stuck too.

CBT helps you spot those patterns clearly, then gives you practical, evidence-based tools to break them. Sessions are collaborative: you're not just talking, you're problem-solving with a trained clinician.

It's the most extensively researched form of psychotherapy in the world, and it's the treatment recommended by NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) as a first-line therapy for most common mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, OCD and PTSD.

What we treat

CBT can help with a wide range of mental health concerns.

Whether you're managing a long-standing condition or a recent change in how you feel, CBT offers practical strategies tailored to what you're going through. We commonly support people with:

Generalised Anxiety Constant worry, racing thoughts, restlessness or feeling on edge.
Depression & Low Mood Loss of interest, low energy, hopelessness or persistent sadness.
OCD Intrusive thoughts and compulsions that feel impossible to resist.
PTSD & Trauma Flashbacks, hypervigilance, avoidance after a difficult experience.
Panic Disorder Sudden, overwhelming panic attacks and fear of further attacks.
Social Anxiety Intense fear of judgment, scrutiny or social situations.
Specific Phobias Disproportionate fears — flying, needles, heights, animals.
Insomnia CBT-I: gold-standard, drug-free treatment for chronic sleep problems.
Health Anxiety Persistent worry about illness, body sensations or test results.
Work Stress & Burnout Overwhelm, exhaustion, perfectionism and difficulty switching off.
Low Self-Esteem Self-critical thinking, persistent self-doubt and confidence issues.
Anger & Irritability Difficulty managing reactions and the impact on relationships.

Not sure if it's right for you? Give us a call today and speak with us.

How it works

A clear path from first contact to lasting change.

CBT at Ready Health is structured around five collaborative stages. You'll always know what's coming next and what we're working on together.

1
Initial Assessment A 60-minute conversation to understand what's going on, what you've already tried, and what you'd like to be different.
2
Shared Formulation Together we map out the patterns keeping the problem stuck — a clear picture of thoughts, feelings, behaviours and triggers.
3
Personalised Plan You'll agree concrete goals and a session structure. No two CBT plans look exactly the same.
4
Active Therapy Weekly or fortnightly sessions using proven techniques: cognitive restructuring, behavioural activation, exposure work, relapse prevention.
5
Review & Maintain We measure progress with validated tools and finish with a personal blueprint to keep you well long after sessions end.
Book online

Choose a time that works for you.

Real-time availability with our CBT therapists. Pick a date and time below — confirmation is instant.

Having trouble with the booking widget? Open the full booking page or call us on 01257 676 001.

Why Ready Health

Clinical care first. Everything else follows from that.

We're a private healthcare clinic offering the time and continuity that the NHS often can't offer.

Properly accredited therapists

Every CBT therapist at Ready Health is accredited with the BABCP, BACP or HCPC, and supervised in line with national standards. We don't use unregistered counsellors for clinical work.

Appointments that fit real life

Evening and Saturday appointments. In-person at our Standish clinic or by secure video, week to week — whichever works best for that session.

Continuous progress tracking

We use multiple ways to track progress continuously throughout your sessions. Validated measures (PHQ-9, GAD-7 and condition-specific scales) are used at every session to show progress objectively — and to spot early if something needs to change.

Genuine continuity

You see the same therapist every session. No rotating clinicians, no waiting lists between assessment and first session — usually under a week.

Confidential by design

Your records are held securely, separate from your NHS file unless you ask us to share. Secure, GDPR-compliant video platforms only.

Pricing

Simple, transparent pricing.

One flat price for every session — no packages, no commitment, no hidden fees.

£50
Per CBT Session
50 minutes · With an accredited therapist · In-person or video
  • Same flat rate for assessment and follow-up sessions
  • Session notes & between-session worksheets included
  • Outcome tracking with PHQ-9 / GAD-7 / SUDs
  • Pay as you go — book only what you need
Book a Session
Frequently asked

Common questions about CBT at Ready Health.

If you can't find what you're looking for here, give us a call on 01257 676 001 — happy to talk it through with no obligation.

What exactly happens in a CBT session?

Sessions are 50 minutes (60 for the initial assessment) and follow a collaborative, structured format: you and your therapist agree an agenda, review homework from last week, work on the focus topic, and agree what to practise before next time.

Unlike open-ended therapy, CBT is active — worksheets, behavioural experiments and thought records between sessions are a big part of why it produces lasting change.

How many sessions will I need?

Most courses of CBT run between 6 and 20 sessions. Mild to moderate anxiety or low mood typically responds well to 6–12 sessions. More complex presentations such as PTSD, OCD or longer-standing depression may benefit from 16–20 sessions.

Your therapist will agree an estimated number of sessions with you at the assessment stage, and you'll review progress jointly every few weeks.

Do I need a GP referral?

No. You can self-refer directly — book online or call us on 01257 676 001. If you'd like a referral letter for your GP, employer or insurer afterwards, your therapist can prepare one on request.

If you're using private medical insurance, your insurer may require pre-authorisation. Please check with them and have the authorisation code ready before your first session.

Can sessions be done online?

Yes. We offer in-person sessions at our Standish clinic and secure, GDPR-compliant video sessions. Outcomes for video CBT are comparable to face-to-face for the large majority of conditions, and you can switch between formats week to week if your circumstances change.

Is what I share kept confidential?

Yes. All sessions are strictly confidential and records are held securely under GDPR. The exceptions — which apply to all UK therapists — are where there's a serious risk of harm to you or another person, or where we're legally required to disclose. In those situations we'd discuss next steps with you wherever it's safe to do so.

Your private records at Ready Health are held separately from any NHS records unless you ask us to share with your GP.

What if I'm already on medication for my mental health?

That's fine and very common. CBT works alongside medication and many people benefit from both. Your therapist will note what you're taking but won't prescribe or adjust it — that stays with your GP or psychiatrist. Combined treatment often produces better outcomes than either alone for moderate-to-severe depression and anxiety.

What's the difference between CBT and counselling?

Counselling is generally non-directive talking therapy — useful for adjustment, bereavement and life transitions. CBT is structured and goal-focused: a defined treatment for specific conditions, with measurable outcomes and a clear endpoint. NICE recommends CBT (rather than generic counselling) as the first-line therapy for most diagnosable mental health conditions.

What if CBT doesn't seem to be working?

We measure progress at every session with validated questionnaires, so we'll spot drift early rather than at the end. If progress stalls, your therapist will discuss why and either adjust the approach, recommend a different model of therapy (e.g. EMDR, schema therapy) or signpost you to a colleague better suited to what you need. Your wellbeing comes first.

How quickly can I be seen?

Most assessments can be booked within 3–7 days. After your assessment, weekly therapy slots usually start the following week. We don't operate the long waiting lists you may have experienced in NHS services.

If you're in crisis right now CBT is for planned, ongoing treatment — it's not an emergency service. If you're having thoughts of harming yourself or are in immediate distress, please contact your GP urgently, call NHS 111, or call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7). In a life-threatening emergency, dial 999.

Ready to start? An assessment is the first step.

One conversation is often enough to get clarity on what's going on and what would actually help. Book online below, or give us a ring — we're happy to answer questions before you commit.