Service overview
We are the Managing Emotions Programme (MEP), and we can help you if you're feeling overwhelmed by intense emotions, which can negatively affect life, work, and relationships.
Our interactive group courses can teach you the skills you need to cope when faced with intense emotions (known as psychoeducation).
Our course will improve your understanding and awareness of your emotions and their impact.
It's provided by mental health professionals and people with lived experience, in person or online with groups of 8 to 15 people.
Our in‑person groups cover the whole of Berkshire, with locations varying based on demand. If you are accepted into our service, we will discuss the options that work best for you and the courses available.
Accessing our service
You can refer to our service if you're struggling to understand or cope with your emotions, and you are also:
- aged 18 or over
- registered to a GP in Berkshire
- not already receiving any other psychological mental health help
MEP is one of several options for people experiencing emotional difficulties. We will review your referral for the most appropriate service.
Unfortunately we don't provide additional support while you're waiting to start the course.
Please talk to your GP or healthcare professional if you need further help.
Referral
Ask your GP or Mental Health Professional to refer you to the Gateway who can support with your specific needs.
Our courses
We provide our course from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
We offer sessions both online and in-person. We run our in-person sessions at different locations, depending on demand.
Our course is about understanding why we have emotions and how they can affect us. Our aim is to then teach you the skills to manage these when it feels difficult to cope.
You might find this course helpful if you are generally emotionally aware and want to develop the skills needed to change how you react to emotions.
Developing skills to manage difficult emotions
There are 8 sessions, each lasting around 2 hours.
We talk about a new topic each week, to teach you the skills to cope during times of distress.
- Week 1: Understanding emotions and how they affect mind, body, and behaviour
- Week 2: Labelling emotions and levels of emotional intensity
- Week 3: How thoughts impacts our emotions
- Week 4: Mindfulness
- Week 5: Your values and setting goals
- Week 6: Mental Filters, Compassion, and Emotion Regulation
- Week 7: Effective communication
- Week 8: A look back at what we’ve learnt
Managing your health
Your e-Health Passport
Your e-Health Passport lets us know what's important to you - from your preferred name and pronouns to how you'd like us to support you and communicate with you.
Learn moreContact us and FAQs
The Gateway
Available 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays)
Contact number: 0300 365 2000 (option 4)
Email: gateway@berkshire.nhs.uk
Frequently asked questions
Are courses translated?
No. As our courses are facilitated by mental health professionals and people with lived experience in a live setting, they are currently only available in English and we are unable to provide translations.
Is there a course for carers?
Yes, we are currently developing the content for carers, this will be course four.
We can also help you with
Is there any information for friends, family and carers?
If you’re a family member, carer, or you look after someone, there’s practical, financial, and emotional support available from a range of local communities and national organisations.
How do I request an interpreter?
We can provide language translation and interpretation support.
Tell our staff which language you prefer to use, and we will make sure the right communication support is in place for your assessment and treatment. Please let us know as early as possible so we can ensure the appropriate translation or interpreting support is available.
We offer a range of professional services to ensure everyone can understand and be understood:
- Telephone interpreting
- Video remote interpreting (VRI)
- Face‑to‑face interpreting
- Written translation
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting
How can I get information in an accessible format?
Anyone with a disability, impairment, or sensory loss has the right to get information in a format that meets their needs.
The Accessible Information Standard (AIS) is a legal requirement for all health and adult social care providers. This means making sure that people who use our services, including carers and families, can understand our information and communicate with us easily.
We can offer information in a range of accessible formats, including:
- British Sign Language (BSL)
- Large print
- Braille
- Audio
- Easy read
- Text message
- Face‑to‑face support with a carer or advocate present
If you need information in any of these formats, please tell a member of our team and we will make sure your communication needs are met.
Are service dogs allowed to my appointment?
Yes, you are welcome to bring your registered service animal, such as a guide dog, hearing dog, medical alert dog, or other trained assistance dog to your appointment.
These animals are recognised as essential support and are permitted in most areas of our services.
To help us prepare, please let the team know before your appointment if you will be attending with a service animal. This allows us to make sure the environment is safe and comfortable for you, your animal, and other patients.
Please note that service animals may not be able to enter certain restricted clinical areas for safety or infection‑control reasons, but we will always work with you to find an appropriate alternative.
What does it mean to treat our team with respect?
Respect is important.
We will be polite and kind and we expect that you treat our staff in the same way.
Abuse, hate and discrimination against our staff is unacceptable.
We will take strong action against anyone who is verbally, racially, physically, or sexually abusive to them.
This may include contacting the police to prosecute, and stopping future access to our healthcare services.
How do I find my NHS number?
The easiest way to find your NHS number is using the official NHS online service which can be accessed below.
You may also want to read our guidance page for more information about other ways to find your NHS number or what to do if you cannot find yours.
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