When I first started NHS Talking Therapies, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I felt worried that it would make me feel upset and it was a bit scary to talk to someone that I didn’t know about difficult things that had happened.

But with a few adjustments along the way, my experience became something really helpful – and I’d like to share what helped me have a good experience.

It’s the little things that count

I have a learning disability and work for NHS England. Some of the adjustments in my therapy were easy for the organisation to make, but they made a big difference.

I started by seeing the therapist weekly. They would ask me about how I was feeling. They would give me advice to help me cope with things better. When sessions were coming to an end, they gave me plenty of warning. I got to see the same person for a group of sessions. But sometimes when I started a new group of sessions, I would have to see someone different. It would have really helped me if I had seen the same person each time.

A fantastic reasonable adjustment that they made was being able to see my therapist at my local GP practice. This meant I didn’t need to worry about not knowing the place – no anxiety about finding a new building or learning my way around a place I didn’t know with lots of new people.

And then there was one other small thing a therapist did that really stuck with me. A therapist brought fidget toys to our sessions which I thought was good. It meant I could have something in my hand to help me if I was struggling or getting upset, to help me stay calm. It showed he understood that sometimes you need something physical to help you stay grounded during tough conversations.

What I want services to know

From my experience, I have some clear messages for anyone supporting people with a learning disability:

• try and keep things the same as much as you can – seeing the same therapist builds trust and makes everything feel safer
• think about the senses – fidget toys and comfort items aren’t extras, they can really help people
• use familiar places – it takes away one more thing to worry about
• be flexible – whether that’s letting a support person attend or taking extra time when someone’s upset, it shows you really care
• don’t rush the ending – a few extra minutes to check someone’s okay before they leave can make all the difference.

Looking after myself

These days, I’ve got some brilliant ways to look after myself. My assistance dog Mindy is always by my side. I use an app called “My Secret Diary” to track my moods. I keep fidget toys close by. And I know exactly who to turn to at work and at home when I need support.

I hope my story shows that with the right adjustments people with a learning disability can get a lot out of NHS Talking Therapies.

For more information about making services accessible, visit the reasonable adjustment digital flag on the NHS England website: NHS England » Reasonable adjustments