Private mental health costs

Direct provider prices checked 20 October 2026. Selected examples, not a whole-market lowest-price claim. These checks are separate from the hourly medicine feeds.

Separate therapist assessment, ongoing therapy and psychiatrist diagnostic assessment. They serve different needs and should not share an undifferentiated cheapest ranking.

A £49 digital assessment and a £360 psychiatrist appointment do different jobs. The first is a questionnaire-based review; the second is a consultation with a psychiatrist. Neither price tells you how much an ongoing course of care will cost. Ask what the appointment can establish, what report you receive and which next steps it can support.

For therapy, ask about the session length, likely review point and cancellation policy. For psychiatric care, separate the assessment, follow-up appointments, prescription administration and pharmacy charges. A prescription fee is not the price of the medicine. Keep these as separate lines when comparing written quotes.

Before booking, find out who explains the outcome and who remains available afterwards. Ask whether the clinician can write to your GP, whether that is included, and whether any proposed NHS prescribing arrangement has actually been accepted. A private report does not guarantee an NHS service will take over care.

Which practitioner will I see? Is this appointment suitable for the issue I want to discuss? What happens if a different service is needed? How are additional sessions or medication reviews charged? What support is available between appointments? These listed private assessment services are not emergency services.

Ask what kind of service is being offered: a medical assessment, psychological therapy, counselling or another form of support. These are different services with different professional backgrounds. Ask about qualifications, registration where applicable, and experience with the concern you want help with.

NHS mental health services are free. Some services need a GP referral; NHS talking therapies may offer self-referral. Check the options available in your area before assuming private care is the only route.

Confirm session length, frequency and format. Ask how progress is reviewed and how the practitioner decides whether the approach is helping. A proposed number of sessions is a plan to discuss, not a guaranteed result.

• What is the charge per session?
• Are assessment and follow-up sessions priced differently?
• What are the cancellation terms?
• Are letters or reports charged separately?
• Can sessions be spaced differently if cost is a concern?

A first conversation can help you understand the practitioner’s approach. Ask how information is stored, when it might need to be shared and whether the service communicates with your GP. Discuss any accessibility, language or scheduling needs.

Ask how to raise concerns between appointments, whether messages are monitored and what happens when the practitioner is away. A routine appointment service may not provide urgent or crisis support. Establish the appropriate local urgent-care route with the clinician as part of your plan.

Start by identifying the service you need and whether you already have a referral or existing care plan. Ask your usual clinician about the relevant NHS route, then use a private quote to understand the alternative pathway rather than only its appointment speed.

Our handover guide helps identify who will order tests, interpret results and manage continuing treatment. Use the appointment preparation sheet to keep your questions and next steps together.