The Flow headset must be purchased or rented.

Patients can purchase or rent the headset directly from Flow neuroscience (usual purchase price £399). Alternatively, patients can purchase a Flow headset at a discounted price of £300 from Anchor Psychiatry Group (NB headsets are only available at this price when purchased through us as part of a personalised Flow treatment package).

The headset comes with a charger and 20 sets of disposable pads. Pads must be re-ordered and paid for by the user as required.

Patients will need to download the free Flow app to activate and use the headset.

Patients using the device without any clinician monitoring, support, or treatment personalisation can only use Flow according to the pre-set manufacturer’s treatment/maintenance schedule.

We usually expect to see a positive treatment response within the initial 10 weeks of use as directed and many people will notice an improvement much sooner than this.

There is evidence that using Flow as a maintenance treatment for at least 6 months after experiencing a positive treatment response reduces the risk of depression returning. However, for some people, a longer period of maintenance treatment may be advised.

We are highly experienced psychiatrists who can offer thorough assessment and treatment advice to make sure you have an accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan suitable to your individual mental health needs. Depression does not always respond to the standard Flow treatment schedule alone and we can adjust the Flow treatment schedule according to your presentation allowing you to gain the most benefit from using Flow whilst also advising and supporting you with other aspects of your treatment plan.

New patients will need to ask their GP to send us a referral (preferably via email) and then attend an initial assessment with one of our psychiatrists to take a detailed history and consider all aspects of their treatment plan, including advice regarding medication and use of a Flow device. A detailed assessment report will be sent to the patient and the GP. After assessment, patients can proceed to our Flow initiation 10-week package.

Patients already known to us will need to attend a review appointment with their regular psychiatrist to gain an up-to-date understanding of their current presentation and to consider all aspects of their treatment plan, including advice regarding medication and use of a Flow device. After this, patients can proceed to our Flow initiation 10-week package.

We offer 2 types of Flow treatment package:

1. Psychiatrist led Flow personalisation and support
2. Psychiatrist led Flow personalisation and support with therapy

Our Flow treatment support packages cover:

• Initiation phase (initial 10 weeks)
• Maintenance phase (6 months)

Psychiatrist led Flow personalisation and support initiation package (10 weeks, £350). Includes:

• 10-week psychiatrist-led personalised Flow plan
• Flow device oversight and customisation of treatment
• Check ins on progress, support to gain confidence with using the treatment, reminders if sessions are missed, and adjustment of device via the app as needed
• Opportunity to contact psychiatrist by email with any concerns/queries regarding treatment
• Up to 3 x 30-minute video call reviews with psychiatrist
• Advice to GP regarding adjustment of medication if required

Does not include:

• Initial assessment appointment
• Flow device or pads, however patients can buy a flow device from us for a discounted fee of £300 (including delivery) when purchasing a Flow initiation package
• Support beyond 10 weeks
• Any therapy sessions

Psychiatrist and therapy Flow personalisation and support initiation package (10 weeks, £950)

Includes:

• 10-week psychiatrist-led personalised Flow plan
• Flow device oversight and customisation of treatment
• Check ins on progress, support to gain confidence using the treatment, reminders if sessions are missed, and adjustment of device via the app as needed
• Opportunity to contact psychiatrist by email with any concerns/queries regarding treatment
• Up to 3 x 30-minute video call reviews with psychiatrist
• Advice to GP regarding adjustment of medication if required
• Introductory 20-minute online meeting with Occupational Therapist to discuss goals
• 8 individualised online therapy sessions (each lasting 60 minutes)

Does not include:

• Initial assessment appointment
• Flow device or pads, however patients can buy a flow device from us for a discounted fee of £300 (including delivery) when purchasing a Flow initiation package
• Support beyond 10 weeks

These provide continuation treatment, support, monitoring, adjustment, and therapy/coaching for 6 months after the 10-week flow initiation package has ended. It is recommended that all patients continue a Flow maintenance package for at least 6 months after their initiation phase to reduce the risk of relapse and that patients with more complex presentations continue a Flow maintenance package for at least 12 months.

Psychiatrist led Flow maintenance package (6 months, £350)

Includes:

• Monitoring and adjustment of Flow response/treatment plan by psychiatrist
• Up to 2 x 30-minute video reviews over the 6-month period
• Opportunity to contact psychiatrist by email with any concerns/queries regarding treatment
• Advice to GP regarding adjustment of medication if required

Psychiatrist led Flow maintenance package with therapy (6 months, £1190)

Includes:

• Monitoring and adjustment of Flow response/treatment plan by psychiatrist
• Up to 2 x 30-minute video reviews over the 6-month period
• Opportunity to contact psychiatrist by email with any concerns/queries regarding treatment
• Advice to GP regarding adjustment of medication if required
• Introductory 20-minute online meeting with Occupational Therapist to discuss goals
• 12 individualised online therapy sessions over 6 months (each lasting 60 minutes)

If you are unsure about whether a combined psychiatrist and therapy Flow package is for you, please email us and we can arrange for our Occupational Therapist Claire Davids to contact you with further information regarding the support she offers and to answer any questions you may have. Some patients may choose to start using Flow with one of our psychiatrists then later decide to also access therapy and this can be arranged via booking one of our 4, 8, or 12 session therapy packages.

Flow is only currently licensed for use in treating depression in people aged 18 and above.

It can also be used to treat depression in people with other mental health conditions (co-morbidities). In these cases, it is advisable to have a specialist involved with the expertise to use Flow as part of an overall treatment plan that addresses the individual patient’s needs. There is emerging evidence that Flow may be useful in treating some other common mental health conditions, however at present this would represent “off license” use of the treatment and would require careful consideration on a case-by-case basis. In people with complex mental health issues or who are already using other mental health treatments it is advisable to access professional support to guide the use of Flow and other treatment.

You can be gently active whilst using Flow and engage in usual indoor activities e.g., working on a computer, eating, watching TV, reading. Vigorous movement may affect the position of the headset and so should be avoided. You need to be near your phone or tablet whilst using the device, so it remains connected to the app. Flow should not be used while operating heavy machinery, driving, exercising, after using alcohol, or near water.

The Flow headset and app is very well designed, and most people find the device surprisingly easy to use once they have familiarised themselves with the app.

However, we understand some people may still feel unsure how to get started and may require additional support with this. We can offer an in-person appointment with our Occupational Therapist Claire Davids to get you set up and access the first treatment session (please note this will involve additional costs). Please contact us via email to request further information if this is something you would like to discuss.