bapam – PERFORMING Arts Medicine
Mental Health Support at BAPAM: A Patient Information Leaflet
Welcome
We’re glad you’re here. Reaching out for support takes courage, and we want to make this process as straightforward as possible.
BAPAM provides focussed psychological support specifically designed for performing artists, creators and industry professionals. Our mental health professionals understand the world you work in – many have personal experience as performers, or have worked extensively in the performing arts sector.
This leaflet explains how our service works, what to expect, and how we’ll look after your information. Please take your time with it.
If you need urgent support right now
If you are in crisis or feel you cannot keep yourself safe, please contact one of the following:
- Call 999 in an emergency
- Go to your nearest A&E
- Call NHS 111 for urgent (non-emergency) mental health support
- Contact your GP
BAPAM is not a crisis service. If you are in immediate distress, please use the services above first. You are always welcome to come back to us when you’re ready.
At a Glance: How It Works
Here’s a simple overview of what to expect from the moment you contact us to the end of your sessions.
| 1 |
A few quick details We need your GP’s name and a UK-based emergency contact before we can get started – just to keep you safe. If you’re unsure about anything, get in touch and we’ll help. |
| 2 |
Complete your self-assessment Tell us about your current concerns and what has brought you to seek support. We’ll also collect some essential registration information at this stage. |
| 3 |
Clinical review Our multidisciplinary team reviews your information and discusses your needs – usually within a few working days. |
| 4 |
Recommendation & funding If sessions are likely to be helpful, we’ll share a recommended approach and discuss the funding options available to you. In some cases, we may suggest that alternative or additional support would better meet your needs and we’ll share this information with you. |
| 5 |
Matched with a practitioner Once funding is confirmed, we’ll match you with the most suitable practitioner for your needs. |
| 6 |
Your sessions begin Typically 6–8 sessions of talking therapy, focused on your goals. Your first session should take place within three months of being matched with a therapist. |
Not the right time? That’s okay.
Our support isn’t time-limited. If the timing isn’t right for you, or you decide not to take up support straight away, you’re always welcome to come back when you’re ready. Simply get in touch and we can pick up from there.
What We Offer
Our Service Provides:
- Focussed, short-term therapeutic support for UK-based performers, creators and industry professionals
- A genuine understanding of performance-related challenges and pressures
- Help with issues like performance anxiety and career pressures
- Online and in-person appointments
Your Privacy and Confidentiality
Your personal information is yours
We will always tell you what we intend to share and why, and seek your agreement before doing so. We will not share your information with third parties – including your treating clinicians, GP, managers or employers – without your explicit consent.
The only exception is if there is a serious and immediate concern for your safety or someone else’s, or where you have previously given us consent to contact someone but we are unable to reach you directly.
What We Share for Funding Purposes
Where funding is provided by an external organisation, we may need to share a limited amount of information to confirm your eligibility. This is restricted to:
- Your name
- Nationality
- Membership or registration numbers
- Type of performer
- Our clinical recommendation (limited to the nature and length of the intervention, for example six focussed sessions)
We will always seek your consent before sharing any information for funding purposes.
A Note on External Funders
Some external funding organisations may have their own data sharing requirements, which could include sharing information with third parties such as managers or employers. These arrangements are outside BAPAM’s control. We would encourage you to review any funding organisation’s privacy policy carefully before applying, and to contact them directly if you have questions about how your information may be used.
Confidentiality: Your Practitioner
Your practitioner has their own professional and ethical duty of confidentiality, governed by their regulatory body (such as BACP or UKCP). They will explain the limits of confidentiality at the start of your sessions – for example, circumstances where they may be required to share information out of concern for your safety or the safety of others. Any questions about how your practitioner handles your information should be directed to them directly.
Data Security
BAPAM holds and processes your personal data in accordance with UK GDPR and our data protection policy. For full details of how we collect, store, and use your information, please see our Privacy Policy on our website.
Before We Can Get Started: Registration Information
To talk to our team and register with BAPAM, call us on 020 8167 4775.
We will take your details, help with any further information you may need, and email you a self-assessment form. You can also contact us by emailing info@bapam.org.uk.
We need to collect some essential information before your self-assessment can begin. This helps us keep your records accurate and ensure your safety throughout. If you’re unsure about any of the below, just get in touch and we’ll help.
Your Name
We’ll need the name you are registered with at your GP practice (forename and surname). If you work under a stage or professional name, you’re welcome to share this too.
Date of Birth
We’ll also need your date of birth to keep your records accurate and avoid any confusion with other individuals in our system.
Your GP Details
We don’t routinely contact your GP, but having this information is important for your safety – particularly if additional medical support were ever needed. If you’re not currently registered with a local GP, you can do so through the NHS website for your nation – England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. We can provide these registration links if helpful.
Emergency Contact
We’ll ask for someone you trust who is readily available and UK-based. Ideally, this would be someone familiar with your personal circumstances such as a parent, guardian, carer, partner, or trusted friend.
We would always aim to speak with you before contacting them, except in situations involving serious and immediate safety concerns, or where you have previously given consent for us to do so but we are unable to reach you directly.
Please note: We are unable to proceed with the self-assessment until all of the above information has been provided. If you need help with any part of this, please don’t hesitate to get in touch – we’re happy to assist.
How It Works: In Detail
The Self-Assessment Process
- Complete our mental health assessment form to tell us about your current concerns and what has brought you to seek support at this time.
- Our multidisciplinary team will review your information and discuss your needs.
- If, in our clinical opinion, sessions are likely to be helpful, we will share a recommendation outlining the suggested approach and areas of focus, and discuss the funding options available to you.
- Once funding is confirmed, we will match you with the most suitable practitioner.
- Please note that your first session should take place within three months of being matched with a therapist. If this isn’t possible, please let us know as soon as you can.
How to Access Your Sessions
Once our clinical team has reviewed your self-assessment, we’ll write to you with a recommendation. At that point you’ll have three ways to access support – you can choose whichever works best for your circumstances.
Option 1 – Self-Fund (Quickest route — therapy can usually begin within 2 weeks)
Choose a therapist from our directory and arrange sessions directly with them. Rates are agreed between you and your chosen therapist.
Browse our directory: BAPAM Directory of Practitioners
This option is entirely at your own expense. If you choose to self-fund while waiting for a funding decision, you will not be refunded if funding is subsequently approved.
Option 2 – Apply for Funded Therapy
A number of organisations may be able to fund the cost of your therapy. When you receive your clinical recommendation from us, include it with your application. Funding decisions rest entirely with the funders – BAPAM is not involved in those decisions, and each funder sets their own eligibility criteria.
Some applications need to be approved by a committee that meets monthly, so please allow time for this process.
Funders may include:
- Musicians – Royal Society of Musicians
- Variety performers & backstage staff – Royal Variety Charity (if you need help with the form, contact mentalhealthsupport@royalvarietycharity.org)
- Actors & stage managers – Actors’ Trust
- Equity members – Equity Charitable Trust Welfare Grants
- Further financial and practical support – Sources of Financial and Practical Support (BAPAM)
If you would like help completing a funding application, please let us know — we’re happy to assist.
Option 3 — NHS Services
NHS therapy may be more appropriate if you need longer-term support, or if your concerns are not directly related to performing arts work.
- Speak to your GP, who can refer you to appropriate NHS mental health services
- In England, you can also refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies (no GP needed): Find NHS Talking Therapies
Please note: your BAPAM clinical recommendation is valid for 3 months.
If your symptoms or circumstances change significantly, or if more than three months pass, a reassessment may be needed to ensure our recommendation remains appropriate for you.
Support While You Wait
While you’re waiting to begin sessions, we have self-help resources you can explore in your own time. These cover performance anxiety, managing low mood, and feeling overwhelmed – all common challenges for performing artists.
Access our self-help resources: BAPAM Self-Help Resources
If Your Symptoms Get Worse While Waiting
Please contact your GP or call 111 if you experience any deterioration in your symptoms, or a significant change in your circumstances. In an emergency, visit A&E or call 999.
You can also request a clinical appointment with a BAPAM clinician. This is available for:
- Clinical assessment if your condition worsens
- Discussion of immediate support needs
- Liaison with your usual healthcare providers if needed
This appointment is in addition to – not a replacement for – your usual GP. It does not affect your position in the therapy funding process. Please get in touch if you’d like to arrange one.
Location Requirements
Due to regulatory and insurance requirements, all therapy sessions must take place while you are physically in the UK. This applies to both online and in-person appointments.
We understand this creates challenges for touring artists and those working internationally, and we’re sorry for any inconvenience this causes. Unfortunately we are unable to make exceptions to this requirement, even for online sessions. Please let your practitioner know if you will be outside the UK at any point.
If You Are Already in Therapy
Please let us know if you are currently seeing another mental health practitioner, are on a waiting list for NHS therapy, or plan to start talking therapy soon. This helps us avoid overlap – which can sometimes be counterproductive – and ensures your support is as joined-up as possible.
If you are currently receiving NHS therapy, we would generally advise waiting until this has concluded before beginning sessions with BAPAM. However, if your NHS therapy comes to an end and you subsequently identify a need for brief, focussed support – particularly relating to your work or performance – please do get back in touch.
Working with More Than One Mental Health Practitioner
We would generally advise against working with more than one therapist or counsellor at the same time. Please let us know if this is the case, so we can discuss the best approach for you.
Attendance and Cancellations
We know that managing appointments can be harder on some days than others. To make the most of your sessions, please aim to give as much notice as possible if you need to cancel, and follow your practitioner’s specific cancellation policy, which they’ll share with you when you start.
Please be aware that missed or late-cancelled sessions are deducted from your allocation and cannot be reclaimed or covered by additional funding. Each practioner sets their own cancellation policy.
Service Scope and Limitations
BAPAM offers focussed, short-term support that addresses the relationship between health and the demands of performing arts work. It’s important to be clear about what our service can and can’t provide, so you can make an informed choice.
We are not able to provide:
- Long-term or intensive therapy.
- Specialist trauma therapy (see FAQs for more detail).
- Neurodivergence diagnostic services e.g. ADHD and autism assessments (see FAQs for more detail).
- Crisis intervention.
- Medication or prescriptions.
Our service is not a replacement for long-term therapeutic support, specialist mental health services, or NHS treatment. If we feel your needs would be better supported elsewhere, we will discuss this with you and help signpost you to appropriate services.
Session Limits
The number of sessions is intentionally defined, and we are unable to extend beyond what is allocated. Working within a fixed timeframe – rather than hoping for extensions – tends to produce better outcomes.
Changing Practioner
If you would like to request a change of practitioner, this will be reviewed by our clinical team. Please be aware that any sessions used during the transition may affect your remaining allocation. See the FAQs for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Brief Therapy
What are the benefits of brief/focussed therapy?
Brief therapy works by focusing on specific, agreed goals from the outset. It tends to suit performance-related concerns well because it is structured and practical. Many people find they develop useful skills and notice meaningful progress even within a short timeframe.
What are the limitations?
Brief therapy is not suitable for every situation. It is not designed to address complex trauma, deep-rooted difficulties, or crisis situations, and the shorter timeframe means there is naturally less time to develop the therapeutic relationship than in longer-term work.
Tips for making it work
- Come with a clear sense of what you’d like to focus on.
- Between sessions, try to practise any skills or approaches you’ve explored with your practitioner.
- If you think you may need more support beyond your BAPAM sessions, it’s worth starting to think about this early so your practitioner can help you plan ahead.
- Working within your defined timeframe – rather than hoping for extensions – tends to produce better outcomes
Your Practitioner
About our practitioners
Our practitioners have direct experience of the performing arts sector and understand the specific challenges artists, performers and others in the industry face. Some have performance backgrounds themselves, while others have extensive experience working with performers. All are part of our dedicated performing arts healthcare network.
You may find it helpful to browse our directory for practitioners who already meet our criteria.
All practitioners maintain the professional registrations required by their regulatory body and are required to work within their professional competency. Where you have specific preferences or requirements, we will do our best to take these into account when matching you with a practitioner.
Can I change my practitioner?
Therapy involves sharing difficult thoughts and emotions, which takes courage and trust. Unlike medical treatments such as antibiotics, the therapeutic relationship is a key part of the process. Early sessions can sometimes feel challenging as this relationship develops, and this is entirely normal.
We take care to match practitioners based on their performing arts expertise and your individual needs. That said, we understand that sometimes a different practitioner may feel more suitable.
Should I change practitioner?
Before requesting a change, consider:
- Some discomfort in early sessions is a normal part of the process
- Raising concerns directly with your practitioner can often help to resolve them
- The therapeutic relationship generally needs time to develop
- Please be aware that changing practitioner will reduce your remaining sessions
When might a change be appropriate?
A change may be worth considering if:
- You feel there is a significant mismatch in communication styles
- The therapeutic approach does not feel suited to your needs
- You have specific preferences about a practitioner’s lived experience (e.g. gender, background)
- You’ve discussed concerns with your practioner but still feel unable to work together effectively
How to request a change
If you would like to request a change, please let us know:
- Your specific concerns about the current match
- Any preferred therapeutic approaches or modalities
- Qualities you feel would be important in a practitioner
- Any preferences regarding lived experience
Our clinical team will review all requests carefully. Please note that any sessions already used will be deducted from your total allocation.
Making the most of your sessions
Sharing any concerns with your practitioner early, being clear about your goals, and letting them know how you prefer to work can all make a real difference to your experience. Give the relationship time where you can.
For further reading on getting the most from therapy:
How to Get the Most Out of Therapy — Talkspace
I’ve been working with a practitioner who is not on the BAPAM Directory, can I continue to work with them?
We understand how important it is to maintain a therapeutic relationship you trust. However, in order for us to support funding, your practitioner must meet the following requirements:
- Appropriate professional registrations – HCPC registration for psychologists, or UKCP/BACP or equivalent accredited registration for counsellors and psychotherapists
- A UK-based practice
- Valid professional insurance
- A complaints policy in place
We will ask for your practitioner’s details and contact them directly to confirm these. Please note that we are unable to make payments or reimbursements directly to patients.
These requirements form part of our clinical governance framework. We are unable to approve unless all criteria are met, regardless of a practitioner’s experience or specialist expertise – and unfortunately we are unable to make exceptions to this.
Trauma, Including PTSD and Complex-PTSD
Can BAPAM help me with trauma-related issues?
Our service specialises in brief psychological support for performing artists, creators and other industry professionals. While many of our practitioners are trauma-informed, our model is not designed for trauma-focussed therapy. We can help you with performance-related challenges and offer initial support, but trauma work generally requires a different therapeutic approach and more time than our service can provide.
Why isn't brief therapy suitable for trauma work?
Trauma therapy requires time, flexibility, and the ability to work at your own pace – building trust and developing coping strategies gradually, without the pressure of a fixed session limit. Beginning trauma-focussed work within a brief intervention model may not be helpful, and in some cases could be unsettling rather than supportive.
What if trauma is affecting my performance?
We understand that trauma can have a significant impact on your performing career. While we can help you develop strategies for managing performance-related challenges, we will also support you in identifying appropriate longer-term care to address the underlying trauma.
What if trauma comes up during my sessions?
Your practitioner will work sensitively with you, keeping focus on manageable goals within our brief framework. If trauma-related issues emerge that would benefit from more comprehensive support, they will help you think through next steps and appropriate onward referrals.
How can I access trauma-specific support?
We would encourage you to speak with your GP about referral to services that can provide specialist trauma-focussed therapy. Your practitioner can also help you think through what kind of support might be most helpful and assist you in preparing for that conversation.
Neurodiversity, Including ADHD and Autism
You don’t need a neurodivergent diagnosis to access support from BAPAM.
We can make recommendations based on how neurodivergent traits are affecting your daily life and work. This might include focused talking therapy, or other support which can help with focus, organisation, planning, and managing the practical demands of a performing arts career.
BAPAM is not able to provide neurodiversity assessments or arrange funding for private diagnostic assessments. How can I get an assessment?
BAPAM is not able to provide neurodiversity assessments or arrange funding for private diagnostic assessments. If you are seeking a formal diagnosis, we would encourage you to speak with your GP, who can refer you through the NHS.
While we recognise that NHS waiting times for assessment can be lengthy, we would generally recommend the NHS route – private diagnoses can sometimes create gaps in your ongoing care, as NHS GPs are not always able to prescribe medication following a private assessment.
If you are considering self-funding a private assessment, please be aware that you may also need to self-fund any related private prescriptions.
Access to Work
If you are in employment or self-employed, you may be eligible for support through Access to Work, a government-funded scheme that can provide grants for workplace coaching and other practical support. Waiting times for assessment are currently lengthy, so we would encourage you to explore this sooner rather than later if you think it may be relevant to you. Further information is available on the Access to Work | GOV.UK page.
Further Support
What support is available beyond my BAPAM sessions?
For information about the support available to you beyond your BAPAM sessions – including NHS services, private care, self-help resources, and crisis support – please visit our Accessible Mental Health Support Services page.
Can I get funding for long-term, intensive or specialist therapy through BAPAM?
No. Even with additional funding, BAPAM can only provide support with brief, focussed interventions. We are not able to provide long-term, intensive, or specialist therapy. If you feel you need this level of support, we would encourage you to speak with your GP about NHS options, or to discuss private arrangements directly with your practitioner.
Letters of support
If you are approaching a funding organisation and they require a clinical letter of support or assessment to accompany your application, we are happy to help. Please get in touch with us and we can arrange a brief call to prepare this for you.
Feedback and Concerns
Sharing your feedback
Once your sessions have concluded, we will follow up with you to ask for your feedback on your experience. This helps us to continually improve our service for performers. We really value hearing from you.
Service complaints
If you wish to raise concerns about administrative or operational matters, BAPAM has an internal complaints procedure in place to address these issues. Our full complaints policy and procedure can be accessed through our website: https://www.bapam.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Complaints-Policy-2025-1.pdf
Professional conduct concerns
If your concern relates to the professional conduct or ethical practice of a practitioner, we would encourage you to first raise this directly with them through their own complaints procedure. BAPAM-registered practitioners are required to maintain a complaints policy, which you can request from them directly.
You are also welcome to share your concerns with BAPAM. However, as we are not a professional regulatory body, our ability to formally investigate or take action may be limited. Where concerns remain unresolved, they should be directed to the appropriate regulatory body:
- UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy)
- BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
- Other relevant professional bodies
Our commitment
We take all concerns seriously and review feedback through our clinical governance process.
How to contact BAPAM
To register with BAPAM, call us on 020 8167 4775. Our helpline team will take your details, help with any further information you may need, and email you a self-assessment form. You can also contact us by emailing info@bapam.org.uk.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Drop us a line
BAPAM is a Registered Charity No. 1167785
Contact us:
London Office
63 Mansell Street, London, E1 8AN