Mental Health Practice Unit

Sussex Voices Clinic

Distressing voices (auditory hallucinations) are experienced by approximately 70% of patients with a diagnosis of psychosis and can have devastating effects due to high levels of distress, depression, impaired social functioning, delayed recovery and an increased risk of suicide. Distressing voices are also common in patients with other diagnoses. The Voices Clinic is a collaboration between clinical services and the Research & Development Department. It is designed to cross diagnostic and service boundaries to improve access to innovative evidence-based therapies for distressing voices while continuing to research their effectiveness. The clinic is available to an increasing number of patients across our clinical services. All patients acceptet into the clinic are offered evidence-based therapies for voices. The therapies are tailored to individual need and include therapies based on the principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)and Mindfulness, offered in both individual and group formats.