Private therapy typically costs £50–£120 per session, depending on the modality: counselling sits at the lower end, CBT around £60–£100, and specialist approaches like EMDR at £80–£120. Most people attend weekly, so a typical 8–12 session course runs £400–£1,400. Health insurance with mental health cover often pays for a set number of sessions.
- ✓Private therapy sessions typically cost £50–£120, with counselling cheapest and EMDR most expensive.
- ✓Check BACP, UKCP or HCPC registration before booking — 'therapist' isn't a protected title.
- ✓Mental health cover on health insurance often funds a set number of sessions per year.
What a private therapy session costs, by type
Unlike consultant appointments, therapy is priced per session rather than as an initial-plus-follow-up structure — though many therapists offer a cheaper or free introductory call to check fit. A standard session lasts 50 minutes, and most courses run weekly. What you pay depends mainly on the modality, the therapist's experience, and where you are: central London commands the top of every range.
| Therapy type | Typical cost per session | Typical course length |
|---|---|---|
| Counselling | £50–£80 | 6–12 sessions, sometimes open-ended |
| CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) | £60–£100 | 6–20 sessions |
| Psychotherapy (longer-term) | £60–£110 | Months to years, weekly |
| EMDR (trauma-focused) | £80–£120 | 8–12 sessions |
| Couples therapy | £70–£120 | 6–12 sessions |
What happens in a first session — and how to choose well
The first appointment is an assessment as much as a therapy session. Expect the therapist to ask what's brought you, take a history of the problem and your circumstances, explain how they work, and agree goals and a rough number of sessions. It's also your assessment of them — the evidence is consistent that the relationship with the therapist matters as much as the modality, so it's normal and sensible to try one or two before committing.
You don't need a GP referral to see a therapist privately — you can self-refer and book directly, often starting within days. The exception is if you're claiming on health insurance, where most insurers want a GP or digital-GP referral before authorising sessions.
- Check registration first. 'Therapist' and 'counsellor' aren't legally protected titles in the UK. Look for registration with the BACP (counsellors and psychotherapists), UKCP (psychotherapists) or HCPC — which regulates practitioner psychologists, including clinical and counselling psychologists, by law.
- Match the modality to the problem. CBT has the strongest evidence base for anxiety and depression; EMDR is trauma-focused; counselling suits life events like bereavement; longer-term psychotherapy suits deeper or recurring patterns.
- Ask about fees and cancellation upfront. Most therapists charge for late cancellations, and some offer sliding-scale fees if cost is a barrier — it's always worth asking.
- Psychologists cost more. Clinical psychologists typically charge £100–£150 per session, reflecting doctoral-level training — usually worth it for complex or diagnosed conditions.
Insured vs self-pay: how therapy gets funded
Health insurance policies increasingly include mental health cover — sometimes as core cover, more often as an optional add-on. Where it's included, the insurer typically funds a set number of therapy sessions per year (commonly 8–10) or covers them up to your outpatient limit, using therapists from their approved network. Some insurers now let you self-refer for therapy through their app without seeing a GP at all.
| Insured (with mental health cover) | Self-pay | |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay | £0 beyond any excess, up to the session or £ limit | £50–£120 per session |
| Getting started | Authorisation first — some insurers allow self-referral, others want a GP note | Book directly, often within days |
| Choice of therapist | Insurer's approved network | Anyone — check registration yourself |
| Watch for | Session caps and add-on status — check mental health is actually on your policy | Costs mounting if therapy runs long |
Cover that includes mental health support
The NHS route — and why many people go private for therapy
NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) offers free counselling and CBT, and you can self-refer without seeing a GP. It's a genuinely good service — but access varies by area, waits of several weeks to a few months for a first session are common, and higher-intensity therapy often involves a second wait. For specialist mental health services beyond talking therapies, the NHS referral-to-treatment median currently runs at 9.3 weeks — one of the shorter specialty waits, but still a long time when you're struggling now.
The private trade-off is straightforward: paying £50–£120 a session buys a start within days, your choice of therapist and modality, and no session limit beyond your budget. Many people blend the two — starting privately while an NHS referral works through, or using the NHS for CBT and paying privately for a modality the local service doesn't offer.
Keeping therapy affordable
- Ask about sliding scales and trainee clinics. Many therapists reserve lower-fee slots, and university training clinics offer supervised therapy from advanced trainees at £15–£40 a session.
- Go online. Video sessions are typically £10–£20 cheaper and open up therapists outside your area.
- Use workplace routes first. Employee assistance programmes commonly include 6–8 free counselling sessions — worth exhausting before you pay.
- Compare policies if you're buying cover anyway. If mental health support matters to you, weight it in your comparison — session allowances and self-referral routes differ widely between insurers. See our guide to the best policies for mental health.
Finally, don't let cost force an all-or-nothing decision. Fortnightly sessions at £75 halve the monthly outlay and work well for many people once the initial work is done — a good therapist will discuss pacing openly, and ending well is part of the therapy itself.
Frequently asked questions
How much does private therapy cost per session in the UK?
Typically £50–£120 per 50-minute session. Counselling sits at £50–£80, CBT at £60–£100, and specialist approaches like EMDR at £80–£120. Clinical psychologists charge more, usually £100–£150. London prices run at the top of each range; online sessions are often £10–£20 cheaper.
How many therapy sessions will I need?
A typical course of counselling or CBT runs 6–12 weekly sessions, so £400–£1,400 at private rates. EMDR courses usually run 8–12 sessions. Longer-term psychotherapy is open-ended and can continue for months or years. A good therapist will agree a rough number and review points with you at the first session.
Do I need a GP referral for private therapy?
No — you can self-refer to a private therapist and book directly, often starting within days. The exception is claiming through health insurance, where most insurers require a GP or digital-GP referral before authorising sessions, though some now allow mental health self-referral through their app.
Is CBT more expensive than counselling privately?
Slightly. Private CBT typically costs £60–£100 per session against £50–£80 for counselling, reflecting the additional accredited training CBT therapists complete. CBT courses are also structured and time-limited — commonly 6–20 sessions — so the total cost is often predictable in a way open-ended counselling isn't.
How do I check a private therapist is properly qualified?
Check registration before booking: BACP or UKCP for counsellors and psychotherapists, and HCPC for practitioner psychologists, whose titles are protected by law. 'Therapist' and 'counsellor' aren't protected titles in the UK, so anyone can use them — registration with a recognised body is the safeguard.
Does health insurance pay for private therapy sessions?
Often, yes — if your policy includes mental health cover, which is frequently an optional add-on rather than standard. Insurers typically fund a set number of sessions per year, commonly 8–10, with a therapist from their network. Pre-existing mental health conditions are usually excluded, so check your wording first.
How much does EMDR therapy cost privately?
Typically £80–£120 per session, at the top of private therapy pricing, because EMDR requires specific accredited training. A standard trauma-focused course runs 8–12 sessions, so budget £650–£1,450 in total. Check your practitioner is EMDR-accredited as well as registered with BACP, UKCP or HCPC.
Is private therapy worth it when NHS Talking Therapies is free?
It depends on your wait and your needs. NHS Talking Therapies is free and self-referral, but first appointments commonly take weeks to months and modality choice is limited. Private therapy at £50–£120 a session starts within days with your choice of therapist — many people start privately while an NHS referral progresses.
How much is online therapy compared with in-person?
Usually £10–£20 less per session — commonly £40–£90 depending on modality — with the same registered practitioners. Video therapy has a solid evidence base for counselling and CBT, and it widens your choice beyond your local area, which can matter for specialist approaches like EMDR.