A private psychiatrist typically charges £250–£400 for an initial assessment and £150–£250 for follow-up reviews. Initial appointments run 60–90 minutes — longer than most consultations — and you'll usually need a GP referral. Ongoing private prescriptions and reviews add to the cost unless your GP agrees shared care.
- ✓Initial private psychiatric assessments typically cost £250–£400; follow-up reviews £150–£250.
- ✓Most private psychiatrists and all insurers expect a GP referral first.
- ✓Private prescriptions cost extra unless your NHS GP agrees a shared-care arrangement.
What a private psychiatrist costs
Psychiatry sits at the top of consultant pricing, mainly because appointments are long: a proper initial psychiatric assessment takes 60–90 minutes, against 20–30 for most specialties. Expect £250–£400 for that first assessment and £150–£250 for follow-up medication reviews, which are shorter. Complex assessments — ADHD, autism, or second opinions — often cost more and may span two appointments.
| Appointment | Typical cost | Typical length |
|---|---|---|
| Initial psychiatric assessment | £250–£400 | 60–90 minutes |
| Follow-up / medication review | £150–£250 | 20–30 minutes |
| ADHD assessment (specialist) | £500–£1,200 | 1.5–3 hours, sometimes split |
| Private prescription (per item) | £10–£100+ depending on drug | — |
| Written report (if needed) | £50–£150 | — |
What happens at a private psychiatric assessment
The first appointment is a structured medical assessment, not a therapy session. The psychiatrist will take a detailed history — your current difficulties, how long they've lasted, past mental health, physical health, medication, family history and life circumstances — and may use standardised questionnaires. By the end you should have a working diagnosis or a plan to reach one, and a discussion of options: medication, therapy, further assessment, or a combination.
- Before: you'll usually need a GP referral letter. Insurers require one, and most reputable private psychiatrists want one too — partly so they can see your medical history and write back to your GP safely.
- During: 60–90 minutes of structured history-taking and discussion. Bring a list of current medication and, if you can, notes on when symptoms started.
- After: a letter to you and your GP with the diagnosis, plan and any prescription. If medication is started, expect a review appointment within 4–8 weeks.
- Therapy is separate: psychiatrists diagnose and prescribe; talking therapy is usually delivered by a psychologist or therapist and billed separately.
Speed is a large part of what you're buying. A private psychiatric assessment can usually be arranged within one to two weeks — against an NHS mental health referral-to-treatment median of 9.3 weeks, with community mental health team and specialist clinic waits often running far longer in practice.
Insured vs self-pay
If your health insurance includes mental health cover — often an add-on rather than core cover — psychiatric assessments and follow-ups are typically covered under it, sometimes with an annual limit. Get authorisation before booking: the insurer confirms a recognised psychiatrist and the fees are billed direct. Without mental health cover, psychiatry generally isn't claimable on a standard policy.
| Insured (mental health cover) | Self-pay | |
|---|---|---|
| Initial assessment | £0 beyond any excess, within limits | £250–£400 |
| Follow-up reviews | Covered within your mental health or outpatient limit | £150–£250 each |
| Medication | Often covered while under the psychiatrist's care — check wording | Private prescription costs on top |
| Watch for | Pre-existing condition exclusions and annual mental health caps | Ongoing review and prescription costs mounting over a year |
Faster access to mental health specialists
Psychiatrist, psychologist or therapist — paying for the right one
Because the titles blur, people sometimes pay consultant rates for the wrong appointment. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor: diagnosis, medication, complex conditions. A psychologist (typically £100–£150 a session) assesses and delivers structured psychological treatment but doesn't prescribe. A therapist or counsellor (£50–£120 a session) provides talking therapy. If your main need is talking therapy without medication, you likely don't need a psychiatrist at all — start with our private therapy cost guide. If diagnosis or medication is in play, the psychiatrist's fee is the right money to spend, and many people then step down to cheaper therapy or GP-managed medication afterwards.
One more check before booking: confirm the psychiatrist is on the GMC specialist register for psychiatry, and if your concern is specific — perinatal mental health, older adults, ADHD — look for that sub-specialty in their profile. Online psychiatry services have made appointments cheaper and faster, but the same checks apply, and the shared-care question matters even more with providers your GP has never heard of.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private psychiatrist cost in the UK?
Typically £250–£400 for an initial assessment lasting 60–90 minutes, and £150–£250 for follow-up medication reviews. Specialist assessments such as ADHD run £500–£1,200. Central London sits at the top of these ranges, and video appointments are often slightly cheaper.
Do I need a GP referral to see a private psychiatrist?
Usually, yes. Insurers require a referral before authorising a psychiatric claim, and most reputable private psychiatrists want one so they have your medical history and can write back to your GP. Some online psychiatry services accept self-referral, but the referral route is generally safer and smoother.
How quickly can I see a psychiatrist privately?
Usually within one to two weeks of referral, and sometimes sooner by video. That compares with an NHS mental health median wait of 9.3 weeks on referral-to-treatment pathways, with waits for community mental health teams and specialist clinics often considerably longer in practice.
Can a private psychiatrist prescribe medication?
Yes — psychiatrists are medical doctors and can prescribe, including controlled drugs such as ADHD medication. Prescriptions are private, so you pay the drug's full cost rather than the NHS charge: commonly £10–£30 a month for standard antidepressants, £60–£150+ for specialist medication.
What is shared care after seeing a private psychiatrist?
An arrangement where, once you're stable, your NHS GP takes over prescribing at NHS charges while the private psychiatrist provides specialist oversight. It's discretionary — GPs can decline, and some do for private ADHD prescriptions — so ask the psychiatrist about their shared-care track record before starting medication.
Does health insurance cover private psychiatrist fees?
Only if your policy includes mental health cover, which is often an optional add-on. Where it's included, assessments and reviews are covered within an annual limit, and medication is often covered while you're under the psychiatrist's care. Pre-existing psychiatric conditions are generally excluded from new policies.
What happens at a private psychiatric assessment?
A structured 60–90 minute medical assessment: detailed history of your current difficulties, past mental and physical health, medication and family history, sometimes with standardised questionnaires. You leave with a working diagnosis and plan — medication, therapy, or further assessment — and a letter goes to you and your GP.
How much do follow-up appointments with a private psychiatrist cost?
Typically £150–£250 for a 20–30 minute review. Expect a first review 4–8 weeks after starting medication, then every few months until stable. If your GP later accepts shared care, reviews can space out or move to the NHS, which is where the ongoing cost drops substantially.
Is it cheaper to see a psychiatrist or a psychologist privately?
A psychologist is cheaper per session — typically £100–£150 against £250–£400 for an initial psychiatric assessment — but they do different jobs. Psychiatrists diagnose and prescribe medication; psychologists deliver assessment and structured talking therapy. If medication isn't in question, you may not need the psychiatrist's fee at all.
Can I go back to the NHS after a private psychiatric diagnosis?
Yes. Your private psychiatrist writes to your GP, and NHS services generally accept a private diagnosis, though some — particularly for ADHD — may reassess before taking over prescribing. Shared-care arrangements formalise the handover for medication; without one, you'd rejoin NHS pathways for ongoing specialist care.