Private Therapy & Counselling Services

Why choose private therapy from the London Psychiatry Clinic?

• Personalised Care: Our clinical psychologists and certified therapists specialise in providing tailored therapy based on your individual needs and preferences.
• Evidence-Based Treatments: Benefit from evidence-based psychological talking therapy (psychotherapy) and lifestyle interventions to improve your well-being. 
• Flexible Options: Choose between in-person sessions at our clinic in London or online therapy using a video platform of your choice.
• Quick Appointments: With an average waiting time of less than a week, we strive to provide timely support. In some cases, short notice appointments are available depending on the specialist you want to see.

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Book private therapy in London or via video consultation. Speak with us today.

Booking your private therapy session

• No Referral Needed: You can book an appointment without a referral. If you have a referral letter from a professional, feel free to share it with us.
• Easy Process: View our list of psychologists and therapists, choose a specialist, and book an appointment at your convenience. If you're unsure, our friendly team of medical secretaries can guide you to the right therapist.
• Locations: Whether you're looking for private therapy in London, Manchester, Birmingham, or any other major city, we've got you covered.

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Book an appointment with a Clinical Psychologist or Certified Therapist. Find your specialist.

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What’s included in my private therapy treatment plan?

Our therapists specialise in providing personalised therapy and treatment plans tailored to your individual needs and preferences, which can include:

• An official psychological assessment and diagnosis of your symptoms.
• Evidence-based psychological talking therapy (psychotherapy).
• Psychoeducation (support and information) about your condition or symptoms to help you manage and understand them better.
• A personalised treatment plan with evidence-based treatments such as lifestyle interventions that focus on improving sleep, exercise, social support, diet and nutrition, or supplements. 

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What’s the waiting time for private therapy?

On average, the waiting time for an appointment is less than a week, but this will depend on which therapist you want to see. Sometimes we can offer short notice appointments, or sometimes it can take several weeks (for therapists with a waiting list). 

We try to keep waiting times as short as possible. If a particular therapist has a long waiting list, we can suggest another appropriate therapist who has more immediate availability. Our medical secretaries will be happy to discuss your needs in detail and provide an exact timeframe.

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Book a short-notice private therapy appointment. Book now.

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Can I cancel or reschedule my appointment?

We require notice of at least two working days if you wish to reschedule or cancel your appointment. 

If you cancel or reschedule your appointment with less than two working days' notice or don’t attend your appointment, you may have to pay a cancellation fee (generally the full appointment fee). 

To cancel an appointment on a Monday, we require notice on Thursday before 5 pm. Please bear in mind that most insurers will not cover a potential cancellation fee, and in these cases, you may need to pay the cancellation fee yourself.

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Private Therapy Costs & Insurance

How much is private therapy?

The cost of your appointment will vary depending on your therapist, the time required and the type of appointment. The appointment fees are stated on all of our therapist’s individual profile pages. 

We are completely transparent about all fees associated with appointments, prescriptions or treatments. There is no difference in costs between in-person and remote video consultations, nor 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, you are welcome to contact our friendly team of medical secretaries, who will be happy to help you. 

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Ask our friendly medical secretaries. Speak with us today.

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What’s included in the cost of private therapy?

Our fees include all the standard procedures involved in therapist appointments (such as assessments, therapy, or the creation of GP letters). We also include additional services in the cost of your appointment to ensure that we provide you with the highest standard of care, which are listed below.

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Before your consultation, your therapist will:

• Review your medical history. 
• Send you questionnaires to complete and review your responses. 

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After your consultation, your therapist will:

• Discuss your treatment plan.
• Write a letter detailing their clinical assessment, recommendations, and the next steps to you and your GP (if appropriate, and if you provide consent). We can also send this letter to other professionals (such as your psychiatrist) with your consent.
• Refer you to other medical professionals (such as a psychiatrist), if required.
• Provide feedback on your treatment or other medical questions you may have between appointments via email or phone call.

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What isn’t included in the cost of private therapy?

While our team of private therapists at the London Psychiatry Clinic is generally happy to offer advice and help as much as possible, certain services aren’t included in our consultation fees. Some examples include long telephone calls with your therapist outside of appointments (over 10 minutes), or writing complex letters and reports to other medical professionals outside the dimensions of a standard consultation. 

If you request anything that isn’t included in the cost of your appointment, we will always notify you in advance and confirm that you are aware of the additional cost.

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How can I pay for my appointments?

You can pay by card, via Direct Debit (GoCardless) or bank transfer. If you are funded by medical insurance, we require a pre-authorisation number to secure your appointment. Please note that you may be liable for payment if your insurer does not cover the fees.

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Will my private medical insurance cover private therapy?

All of our therapists are covered by private medical insurance, but not all insurance providers will cover mental health appointments for all mental health conditions or problems. 

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, particularly the level and type of outpatient cover 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. 

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Ask our friendly medical secretaries. Speak with us today.

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FAQs: Private Therapy and Counselling

How do I find a private psychologist or therapist?

You can choose a psychologist or therapist who specialises in treating a specific condition or uses a particular therapy approach from our large team of highly qualified psychologists & therapists. We can also arrange a brief courtesy call directly with them so 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 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.

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Our friendly medical secretaries can help you find a specialist. Speak with us today.

If you prefer to browse through our team of therapists online, you can view our team of psychologists and therapists here.

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What’s the difference between a psychologist and a therapist? 

The term ‘therapist’ can apply to any mental health professional who provides psychotherapy or talking therapy, which means psychologists are often referred to as therapists. However, not all therapists are psychologists, as becoming a psychologist requires a much higher level of training and education. 

The key difference between psychologists and therapists is that psychologists are medical professionals with a doctorate degree in psychology, which involves extensive training in psychological diagnosis and testing. In comparison, certified therapists have a Master’s degree level of education in psychotherapy and complete clinical training before they become licensed as therapists.

Although the difference between psychologists and therapists can be confusing, all of the psychologists and therapists at the London Psychiatry Clinic are qualified to provide psychotherapy treatment for mental health conditions. If you’re not sure which specialist to see, our friendly team of medical secretaries can guide you through some questions to determine which therapist is the best match for your needs. 

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Our friendly medical secretaries can help you find a specialist. Speak with us today.

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What’s the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist? 

One of the main differences between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is their ability to prescribe medication. 

A psychiatrist is a licensed medical doctor with additional training in psychiatry that allows them to diagnose conditions, prescribe medication and provide treatment for mental health conditions. A psychologist is a licensed medical professional that can provide psychological talking therapy, but they are not medical doctors so they are unable to prescribe medication. In the UK, psychologists are not licensed to diagnose mental health conditions, but they can make psychological assessments and refer patients to a psychiatrist or their GP if they believe the patient has a mental health condition.

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Can a psychologist or therapist prescribe medication?

Psychologists and therapists cannot prescribe medication as they are not licensed medical doctors, unlike psychiatrists. Instead, psychologists and therapists treat mental health conditions using psychological talking therapy. Psychologists and therapists can make a referral to your psychiatrist or GP to discuss medication options.

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What types of therapy do you offer?

We offer many types of evidence-based psychotherapy (psychological talking therapy) approaches from certified clinical psychologists and therapists. You can learn more about the kinds of therapy we offer on our Talking Therapies page.

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Some of the most common ones that you may have heard of include:

• Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT)
• Psychoanalytic therapy
• Psychodynamic therapy
• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT)
• Family therapy
• Couples therapy
• Group therapy

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Can a therapist refer to a psychiatrist?

Psychologists and therapists can refer patients to a psychiatrist or other types of healthcare professionals if needed. At the London Psychiatry Clinic, our therapists and psychologists work closely with our consultant psychiatrists to provide holistic care solutions for patients. 

We also offer case management and multi-disciplinary team (MDT) services, where patients can benefit from having a team of medical professionals dedicated to ensuring they receive the right type of treatment and support, including psychiatrists, therapists, nutritionists, and dieticians. 

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Can I see a therapist and psychiatrist at the same time? 

Therapists and psychiatrists often work closely together, and many people receive treatment from both a therapist and a psychiatrist at the same time. For patients who wish to see both a therapist and psychiatrist, we have a team of medical psychotherapists who are qualified by the General Medical Council to provide both psychiatry and psychotherapy assessments and treatment (including medication prescriptions). 

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FAQs: Confidentiality and GP letters

Will my therapy sessions be confidential?

All medical professionals, including therapists, are legally bound by a duty of confidentiality toward their patients, so 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, including your GP, other medical professionals, and even your family relatives and parents.

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For more information about confidentiality, please read through the FAQ on Confidentiality and GP letters for psychiatry appointments.

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Can a therapist break confidentiality?

Please bear in mind that while therapists are bound by a duty of confidentiality toward their patients, they are also bound by a duty of care. If there is a potential risk to your health (for example if you are acutely unwell or have relapsed into severe addiction or have intense suicidal thoughts), your therapist is responsible for ensuring you are receiving appropriate care. 

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 and aim to reach a mutually acceptable solution that you feel comfortable with before proceeding.

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For more information about confidentiality, please read through the FAQ on Confidentiality and GP letters for psychiatry appointments.

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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:

Children aged 16 and 17: can seek treatment without the consent of their parents. 

Children under the age of 16: are only allowed to seek treatment without the consent of their parents if they're 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.

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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

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Will my private therapist write a letter to my GP?

A therapist will only write a letter to your GP with your consent. For example, if you wish to inform your GP about your assessment or treatment, your therapist will check what information you are willing to share before writing the letter. If you have consented to share information with your GP, we will send this letter to your GP practice by secure fax or encrypted email.

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What information will you share with my GP?

We will only share information about your medical history, medications and personal circumstances with your GP if you give us your express permission. 

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Can I review the letter before it is sent to my GP?

If you wish to review the letter before it’s sent to your GP, your therapist will provide you with a copy of the letter to the GP following your appointment. We will ask you to review the letter for accuracy and let us know if there is any specific or private information you would prefer not to include in the letter. 

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FAQs: Private Therapy vs. NHS therapy?

What’s the difference between a private therapist vs an NHS therapist?

The main difference is that a private therapist is paid directly by the patient or through the patient’s insurance provider, while an NHS therapist’s fees are paid by the NHS and so the patient does not need to pay privately.

To see an NHS therapist, you will need a referral from an NHS GP, but you can see a private therapist even if you don’t have a referral. Private therapists typically provide their services through private mental health clinics, hospitals, or independently through online therapy services. NHS therapists provide their services through the NHS and are usually based in a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). 

There should not be any difference in the standard of care provided during an appointment whether you are seeing a private therapist or an NHS professional. However, due to the high demand for mental healthcare in the UK, waiting times for NHS therapy tend to be significantly longer than for private therapy. 

Another key difference between seeing a private therapist vs an NHS therapist is how quickly the professional can be reached outside of an appointment. In some private settings, patients may be provided with more direct access to their therapist in between appointments. In the NHS, therapists may not be able to discuss your care outside of scheduled appointments.

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How can I book an appointment with an NHS therapist?

If you prefer to see an NHS therapist, you will need a referral from your GP. In this case, you will be directed to a CMHT (Community Mental Health Team). If this is your preference, the first step would be to book a consultation with your NHS GP.

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Do you have more questions?

If you have any questions that we haven’t been able to answer, or you would prefer to speak with us directly, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us today.