TALKWORKS - Exeter

I have found everyone from Talkworks approachable, patient and friendly. I have complex mental health issues and have found Talkworks extremely helpful. They have guided me through their service and what they can offer. But they have also guided me to other services if they feel it would be more beneficial. It is a free service that is non judgemental and flexible to meet your needs. Very highly recommend.

The clueless woman said We only deal with mild to moderate depression here." Insinuating my case was beyond help. Disgusting treatment. Avoid. Avoid Avoid.."

I spoke to Talkworks to help me deal with some issues that I was facing in my life. The counsellor was very friendly, organised, understanding & professional. We worked through a program and I learned some valuable life skills which will really help me going forward. I have never had any sort of counselling prior to this & would highly recommend them

(This was 2 years ago) After getting no help directly from the NHS I was advised by GP to try TalkWorks.Had three telephone calls… each one a month apart, with someone who asked me the same set of questions each time as way of assessment to see if I was ‘suitable to use their service’It took a lot for me to talk about my mental health mostly related to childhood trauma.Finally after 6 or so months a nurse called me, again went thru the same triggering questions.After which in same conversion I’m told I have the wrong type of trauma for them to help me!However as part of my trauma is anxiety and difficultly leaving the house, the nurse unhelpfully suggested various groups who meet at coffee shops and cafes to discuss their problems.Why would I want to sit in a public coffee shop discussing my trauma?!?Does the mental health nurse not understand what bad anxiety is?My experience was two years ago, but reading other reviews seems their service hasn't improved much at all.EDIT - Dear Talkworks thanks for your response - It was a mental health nurse from north devon who called me and said I didn't have the right type of trauma for them to help me with.They told me they were from Talkworks.

Absolutely terrible service and they let my family member down massively. It took a lot of effort for my family member to open up about their problems and Talk Works turned around and said 'sorry there's nothing we can do but we will refer you to other services which will need to pay for'. I understand that funding is always an issue but either offer the service fully or don't. Consider carefully if you're going to phone these people and expose your emotions only to get nowhere.

Waited three months to be told they would not see me as i disclosed that I'm a medical cannabis patient. The woman said she'd signpost me via email to other places but she didn't email me back. Waste of time.

Did a referral and was told can't deal with me as I have BPD which isn't stated in the section were it says TALKWORKS cannot help" so a bit of a joke and poor service and I feel that if that is the case you're refusing mostly everyone that suffers from these illnesses so what's the point in even having the service? It's NOT helpful and I would ask your GP to recommend another organisation."

My personal experience was a good one. I was particularly lucky to be paired with someone who I really gelled with and who ‘got me’. Thank you to that particular counsellor.