June 5, 2024
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What is online therapy?
Online therapy takes place over a video call with a qualified clinical psychologist or therapist. Sessions are similar to in-person appointments that take place in a clinic or consultation room. The key difference is that online therapy allows you to access therapy whenever and wherever is convenient for you. It also avoids the hassle of having to travel to a clinic.
For more information about online therapy, visit our Private Therapy Services page. Here you will find information on waiting times, fees, cancellations, and confidentiality.
How does online therapy work?
Your therapist can conduct a psychological assessment and psychotherapy (talking therapy) via a remote video consultation. This involves responding to questions and clinical observation, both of which are possible online. You can also have psychiatry consultations online with a qualified consultant psychiatrist.
You can use your phone, computer or tablet for your consultation. We have a range of different video platforms available to suit your preferences. These include Zoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet. If your preferred platform of choice isn’t listed, please contact us and we’ll do our best to accommodate you. However, the platform must meet the required safety and security features.
Speak with us today
Or email us on enquiries@londonpsychiatry.clinic
How can I find an online therapist?
You can choose from our team of expert psychologists and therapists specialising in specific conditions or therapy approaches. You can also have a brief courtesy call directly with one of our therapists before booking. During the call, you can decide for yourself if you feel comfortable talking to them before booking an appointment.
If you’re not sure which specialist you would like to talk to, our friendly team of medical secretaries can help. They will guide you through some questions to determine which therapist is the best match for your needs. We can also help you if you are calling on behalf of a loved one or want to find out how you can help someone close to you.
Speak with our medical secretaries today
If you prefer to browse through our team of therapists online, you can access all of our therapist profiles here:
What are the benefits of online therapy?
Online therapy can be just as beneficial as in-person therapy. Some people prefer to have online therapy in the comfort of their own homes where they feel safe. It also removes the hassle of travelling to appointments in person.
Do I need a referral to see an online therapist?
You don’t need a referral to set up a consultation, whether it’s for an online or in-person appointment. However, if you have a referral letter from your GP or other professional, you are welcome to share it with us.
To set up a consultation, you can simply contact our friendly team of medical secretaries. They will guide you through some questions to determine which therapist is the best match for your needs. We can also arrange a brief courtesy call directly with one of our therapists. This will help you decide for yourself if you feel comfortable talking to them before booking an appointment.
Speak with us today or give us a call on +44 20 3488 8555.
Can I receive treatment from a therapist online?
You can receive online counselling and therapy for any mental health condition or symptoms that concern you. After an initial consultation and assessment, your therapist will develop a personalised treatment plan based on your symptoms and diagnosis, depending on the type of talking therapy and your specific needs and circumstances. Once your treatment has begun, your therapist will monitor your improvement and adjust the treatment based on feedback.
What types of therapy do you offer online?
We offer many types of evidence-based psychotherapy (psychological talking therapy) approaches from certified clinical psychologists and therapists. You can learn more about the different kinds of therapy we offer on our Talking Therapies page.
Some of the most common ones that you may have heard of include:
- Online cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
- Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
- Online psychoanalytic therapy
- Online psychodynamic therapy
- Online family therapy
- Online couples therapy
- Online group therapy
How do I choose an online therapy approach?
If you’re unsure what type of therapy approach would suit you best, our friendly team of medical secretaries can help. They will guide you through some questions and arrange a brief courtesy call directly with one of our therapists. During the courtesy call, you can discuss your current situation and needs with the therapist. This will help you to decide for yourself if you feel comfortable with their approach before booking an appointment.
How much does online therapy cost?
The cost of your appointment will vary depending on your therapist, the time required and the type of appointment. The fees for appointments are stated on all of our therapist’s individual profile pages.
We are completely transparent about all fees associated with appointments, prescriptions and treatments. There is no difference in costs between in-person and remote video consultations. There is also no difference in costs between self-funding and insurance patients.
For new patients, we will confirm your fees in writing. For a detailed quote or more information about our fees, our friendly team of medical secretaries will be happy to help you.
Contact our medical secretaries
Will my medical insurance cover an online therapist appointment?
Medical insurance providers typically cover online therapy just as they would cover in-person appointments. However, we always recommend checking with your health insurance provider.
Each of our therapists has the providers they are insured with listed on their profile pages.
Please contact your insurer before your consultation to check the terms of your policy. It’s particularly important to check the level and type of outpatient coverage you have, including any reimbursement limits on individual consultation fees. Generally, your insurance provider will issue a pre-authorisation code to cover your appointment. Please note you are responsible for any fees not covered by your insurer.
Contact our medical secretaries for more information
Can I see a therapist without my parent's permission?
If you are under 18 and seeking therapy, we will follow the guidelines set out by the NHS which we outline below.
- Children aged 16 and 17 can seek treatment without the consent of their parents.
- Children under 16 are only allowed to seek treatment without the consent of their parents if they are believed to have sufficient capacity (intelligence, competence, and understanding) to fully appreciate what's involved in their treatment.
However, if there is significant evidence to suggest that a child doesn’t have enough capacity (for example, if they have a learning disability) then parental consent may still be required.
Parental consent can be provided by individuals considered to have parental responsibility, including:
- The child's mother or father
- The child's legally appointed guardian
- A person with a residence order concerning the child
- A local authority designated to care for the child
- A local authority or person with an emergency protection order for the child
Is seeing an online therapist confidential?
All medical or healthcare professionals, including therapists, are legally bound by a duty of confidentiality toward their patients. This means no information will be shared without your consent.
Your therapist will always request your consent and document it on the clinical notes before discussing any aspect of your care with any third parties. This includes your GP, other medical professionals, and even your family relatives and parents.
There are exceptional situations in which a therapist may have to disclose confidential information. (See the FAQ below about when a therapist can break confidentiality).
For more information about confidentiality, please read through the FAQ on Confidentiality and GP letters for therapy appointments.
Can a therapist break confidentiality?
Therapists are bound by a duty of confidentiality toward their patients. This means you can feel completely safe when discussing personal or emotional issues with them. Any information you share will be kept safe and not shared with any third parties without your consent.
Please bear in mind that your therapist also has a duty of care towards you. Only in exceptional circumstances, such as if there is a potential risk to your health, your therapist may have to break confidentiality in order to fulfil their duty of care. For example, if you have relapsed into severe addiction or have intense suicidal thoughts.
If this is the case, your therapist may require you to provide consent to communicate with your GP (or another third party) to ensure your safety. In these exceptional circumstances, your therapist will endeavour to discuss this with you in detail. They will aim to reach a mutually acceptable solution that you feel comfortable with before proceeding.
Do you have more questions?
For more information about booking therapy appointments, visit our private therapy appointments page. Here you will find information on waiting times, fees, cancellations and confidentiality.
If you have any more questions or would prefer to speak with us directly, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.
