You have looked for private therapy options, and the choice has overwhelmed you.
Getting mental health support can be tough. You have spoken to your GP and realised the wait times are long, your private health insurer has only offered you a few sessions with someone you didn’t choose and you don’t know where to start with choosing a private therapist.
“I mean, what's the difference between a psychologist and a psychotherapist anyway?”
Let us be your guide to helping you understand your options and eventually lead you to getting the support you need quickly and with confidence.
What Does Private Therapy Mean?
Private therapy means working with a qualified therapist outside of the NHS.
- You don’t need a GP referral
- You’re not on a waiting list
- You choose who you work with, when you meet and how long you will continue for
In a fast moving city like London, private therapy options may be the best choice for you.
By seeing a private therapist you have the options of:
- Where (location or online)
- When (times and date)
- How long (short or long term)
- How frequently (weekly or bi weekly ) you see your therapist
These all aid in the therapeutic alliance and create better therapy outcomes.
You have free rein to choose the private therapist that you connect to, aiding your progress and creating a longer-lasting change.
Private Therapy Options Available in London
How Much Does It Cost in London?
Session fees in London typically range from £40 to £150 per hour, depending on the therapist’s experience, qualifications, and location.
Many offer a sliding scale depending on your affordability, but not all private therapists offer this so it is worth confirming beforehand.
If you have private health insurance, therapy may be partially or fully covered which you can confirm from your policy. Check with your chosen therapist(s) to confirm they will accept your insurance provider.
What Will I Gain From Private Therapy?
The type of therapy - or modality - can be important, but it’s also important to understand your goals and expectations for therapy.
The titles counsellor/therapist/psychotherapist tend to be used interchangeably, and the title does not reflect which modality they choose to use.
Some of the most common modalities you may have heard of are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Psychodynamic
- Humanistic/Person-Centered Therapy
- Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
‘Integrative’ therapy is a form of therapy that allows the therapist to dip into several of these modalities depending on the client.
Long or Short Term Therapy?
Whether you want to focus on what is happening right now for you, for instance stress, relationship difficulties, grief, low mood, or a sense that something isn’t right - many therapists will use the integrative approach to bring in the best tools for you.
If you do start therapy with short term goals, you may find a need during sessions to discuss deeper rooted issues in order to rewire your current habits and create long lasting change for the better.
Whether long or short term, sessions are led by you, with a therapist who listens without judgment and helps you find your own clarity. Sessions typically last 50 minutes, weekly is highly encouraged but with no fixed number required.
How to Choose Your Private Therapy Options
The type of therapy matters less than most people think. Research consistently shows that the most important factor in therapy outcomes is the relationship between you and your therapist, not the specific approach they use.
That means the right question isn’t only “which type of therapy?” it’s “which therapist do I connect to?”
You do need to make sure that your chosen therapist meets the basic criteria, so you know you are choosing someone with the relevant training.
When you’re choosing, look for:
- Registration with a recognised body and alignment with their code of ethics (NCPS, BACP, UKCP, BPS etc.)
- Experience with your specific issues or concerns
- Availability and fees that are realistic for you
- A therapist that you feel a connection with. Speaking to them should feel natural.
Most directories such as Therapy in London pre-vet and approve each therapist's credentials beforehand, so you can focus on connection first.
At Therapy in London, we offer you more than just basic therapy info, we ask our therapists to talk about themselves as therapists but also their motivations, expertise and experiences outside of the therapy room too.
You should have the chance to feel that connection before even meeting them. Aiding the therapeutic connection and creating successful therapeutic outcomes
Find Therapy in London Today
Whether you’re new to therapy or looking for a better fit, Therapy in London connects you with verified, qualified therapists across the city and online.