Claire Webb, cCBT Co-ordinator at Inclusion Thurrock shares with us their experience of using SilverCloud and Prism to offer cCBT to clients.
In April 2016, Inclusion Thurrock became the area’s new NHS talking therapies provider. We provide a stepped care programme and as part of this we offer SilverCloud as a Step 2 evidence-based online guided self-help solution for those struggling to access talking therapies. So far we have had a great response to the programme and it has enabled people who may not have been able to attend face-to-face appointments to get the help they need.
SilverCloud can be accessed after the initial Gateway Assessment, provided mostly by our team of PWPs. Clients may be stepped across from other Step 2 treatments, or stepped down from Step 3 work with our high intensity therapists. SilverCloud is a treatment in itself, but can also form part of a client’s ongoing recovery or relapse prevention after a period of face-to-face therapy.
The programme includes a wide variety of modules and tools such as mood monitors, mindfulness audios and goal-setting tools, designed to help a range of difficulties. Clients can make SilverCloud feel like their own by creating a profile and customising the homepage to suit them.
Using SilverCloud, clients can access cognitive behaviour therapy anytime and anywhere from a computer, phone or tablet. This means those who are unable to leave the house, who are full-time carers or who do shift work can access therapy. Clients who share a computer with family or friends are able to use their phone for therapy to give them more privacy.
SilverCloud is supported by Inclusion Thurrock’s trained therapists and supporters. The team includes both PWPs and volunteers who help guide the client through the programme with fortnightly reviews. Recruiting and training volunteers has been an ongoing project, supported by Thurrock Mind’s Volunteer Manager, who has been an enormous help.
Working on training programmes and supporting the volunteers has been an enjoyable experience and we’re currently developing supervision for volunteers with the aim of running peer supervision sessions as the team grows. SilverCloud, Thurrock Mind and the Recovery College have all shared experiences and knowledge to ensure our volunteers have the best experience possible with us.
We hope to work further with the Recovery College by setting up a group where SliverCloud users and volunteers can share their experiences on the programme, and meet and socialise with like-minded people.
Prism
As we grow and develop, we are always looking for ways to improve the process of writing a review. Inclusion Thurrock began piloting Prism which links SilverCloud to iaptus, allowing information to be securely transferred between systems. Prism has enabled volunteers to spend more time writing reviews and less time completing paperwork.
As coordinator, I can then access a client’s clinical contact and see all the relevant information: the MDS, messages from the client, and the volunteer’s review. I’m able to complete the contact with a few clicks instead of entering all of the information manually. Prism has reduced the time it takes between reviews for administrative tasks and paperwork, enabling us to spend more time working with clients.
It has also made the referral process more simple; a few quick steps on iaptus and the client has been referred to SilverCloud, without the need to copy and paste details between programmes to set a client up.
Feedback from staff, volunteers and clients
One of our PWPs said: “I have found that SilverCloud is really useful for people with busy lives so that they can work through the programme at their own pace and at times when it suits them.”
A volunteer described their experience: “Volunteering for Inclusion has been a fantastic opportunity. The service they are providing to Thurrock is amazing and I feel privileged to be part of it. I have learnt so much from the training so far and can’t wait for the CBT training to begin. The support we have been given as volunteers has been friendly, welcoming, consistent and in a lovely, relaxing environment. Supporting services users though the programme has been a bit daunting, but the support, flexibility and encouragement we are given to do so is second to none.
I’m excited for the future of Inclusion and for all those who will be supported. I hope with the support, training and a bit more confidence, that I can be a part of the continuous great work that they do and the successful growth of Inclusion, in reaching many individuals, for many years to come.”
An online programme isn’t for everyone, but so far SilverCloud has received a great response from the clients who have used it. Below is some feedback from clients:
“I wasn’t able to leave the house. They provided online therapy with tools, videos and exercises that helped me understand why I was feeling the way I was. It showed me how to break the cycle. I am in control more, calmer and I look at the future with hope and excitement.” – Space from Anxiety
“I can honestly say this has been immeasurably better for me than any other counselling I’ve received in the past and I feel it has given me a firm foundation for me to further my recovery.” – Space from Depression and Anxiety
“I found this course very helpful and easy to manage as I could do it at home. I have already started recommending it to people.” – Space from Stress
“As I started I realised I was actually enjoying each module and learning from it. The feedback from my supporter gave me confidence and I smiled for the first time in a long time.” – Space from Depression
“I couldn’t attend face-to-face sessions. I found the programme and support given was excellent and of the highest quality at all times. It’s simple to use and a release as I could talk to someone, work through my problems and begin to solve them myself by walking through it in steps.” – Space from GAD
