As recognised leaders in the field of online counselling in the UK, award- winning Xenzone Limited was chosen to feature in an ITN, documentary-style film being shown at the recent NHS Alliance Conference. The film provides delegates with an insight into the effectiveness of online counselling, showing why it works for both commissioners and users.

The young people’s service, KOOTH.com is currently commissioned by 14 Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts. It offers FREE and confidential support and counselling and respects young people’s anonymity, thus providing an unparalleled service for the under 25′s who feel they have nowhere else to go for support.

KOOTH.com works closely with CAMHs services and social care too, offering the most vulnerable a quality out of hours service.

GPs BENEFIT FROM NEW E-THERAPY SERVICE

Xenzone has announced the launch of Qwell, an online adult counselling service designed to give GPs rapid access to the most appropriate patient support with a waiting time of just seven days.

Xenzone’s proven track record with its award-winning young people’s service, KOOTH.com, demonstrates that face-to-face counselling isn’t right for every patient suffering from mild to moderate mental health problems.

GPs spend around 30% of their time seeing patients with mental health issues and this figure is increasing year on year with many GPs feeling they are now facing a “mental health overload”, citing lack of necessary skills and limited access to support services.

Yet many are accountable for commissioning mental health services and will be targetted on improving health outcomes designed around patient needs.

Qwell (Qwellcounselling.com) is an online community where one-to-one therapy services are delivered by Xenzone’s professionally qualified team of therapists, counsellors and support workers. It offers users CBT sessions in “real time” with a therapist, minimising drop-out rates and GPs are provided with outcome scored, monthly reports to track patient progress.

Online counselling is just as effective as, and cheaper, than face-to-face alternatives – GPs only pay for the hours used. It’s popular, too; 50% of adult internet users already go online to seek advice on health issues.

XENZONE EXPANSION

Xenzone has recently won new contracts with Dudley and Lincolnshire and has been re-commissioned by Warwickshire and Knowsley. Xenzone is also working directly with schools in Kirklees and Surrey. Managing Director Elaine Bousfield comments:

“We’re delighted to be working with new health authorities and I believe the re-commissions speak for themselves.”