How Much Does Private Therapy Cost in the UK? 2026 Price Guide

Private therapy in the UK typically costs £50-100 per session, with significant variation by therapy type, therapist experience, and location. Here's what you'll pay and how to find the right therapist without overspending.

How much does therapy cost per session?

| Therapy type | Typical cost | Range | Session length | |-------------|-------------|-------|----------------| | Counselling | £55 | £40–80 | 50 min | | CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) | £80 | £50–120 | 50–60 min | | Psychotherapy | £90 | £60–150 | 50 min | | EMDR | £80 | £60–100 | 60–90 min | | Couples / relationship therapy | £100 | £70–150 | 60–90 min | | Child / adolescent therapy | £70 | £50–100 | 45–50 min | | Clinical psychology | £120 | £80–200 | 50 min |

Prices as of April 2026, based on publicly listed fees and BACP survey data. London prices sit at the upper end of each range.

Online vs in-person therapy

Online therapy is consistently cheaper than in-person sessions, typically by 20-40%.

| Format | Average session cost | Range | |--------|---------------------|-------| | Online (video/phone) | £55 | £36–90 | | In-person (outside London) | £65 | £40–100 | | In-person (London) | £90 | £60–150 |

The cost difference is driven by overheads — therapists working from home don't pay for consulting rooms. Research shows online therapy is equally effective as in-person for most conditions, including anxiety and depression.

Provider comparison

| Provider | From | Format | Type | Notes | |----------|------|--------|------|-------| | BetterHelp | £36/week | Online (text, video, phone) | Counselling | Subscription model, unlimited messaging | | BACP therapist (average) | £50/session | In-person or online | Varies | Independent practitioners, search via BACP directory | | Harley Therapy | £85/session | Online + London clinics | CBT, psychotherapy | Experienced therapists, min. 10 years qualified | | ieso | £0 (NHS) | Online typed CBT | CBT only | Free via NHS referral in some areas | | Priory | £300/session | In-person (nationwide) | Psychiatry + therapy | Psychiatrist-led, for complex cases | | Relate | £55/session | In-person + online | Couples counselling | Sliding scale available |

NHS therapy: what's available for free?

The NHS Talking Therapies programme (formerly IAPT) provides free therapy for common mental health conditions. You can self-refer without seeing your GP first.

What's offered:

• CBT (individual and group)
• Counselling for depression
• Guided self-help
• Behavioural activation
• Couples therapy (for depression)

The limitations:

• Wait times: 6-18 weeks for CBT, longer in some areas
• Session limits: Typically 6-12 sessions, sometimes fewer
• Scope: Designed for mild to moderate anxiety and depression. Not suitable for complex trauma, personality disorders, or severe mental illness.
• Therapist choice: You cannot choose your therapist or therapeutic approach

For moderate depression and generalised anxiety, NHS Talking Therapies is a good option if you can wait. For trauma, complex conditions, or where you want a specific therapy type, private treatment gives you more control.

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions depends on what you're working on:

• Mild anxiety or a specific phobia: 6-8 sessions of CBT
• Moderate anxiety or depression: 12-16 sessions
• Depression (moderate to severe): 16-20 sessions
• PTSD / trauma: 8-12 sessions of EMDR, or 12-20+ of trauma-focused CBT
• Complex or longstanding issues: 20-40+ sessions of psychotherapy
• Relationship difficulties: 8-20 sessions of couples therapy

At £70 per session, 12 sessions of CBT for anxiety costs roughly £840 in total. This is a useful benchmark for budgeting.

How to choose the right therapist

Check qualifications and registration. Look for membership of one of these bodies:

• BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) — the largest body, covers counsellors and psychotherapists
• UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy) — psychotherapists and psychotherapeutic counsellors
• BPS (British Psychological Society) — chartered psychologists
• HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council) — clinical and counselling psychologists, art therapists (this is the only statutory register)

Match the therapy to the problem. CBT is the most evidence-based therapy for anxiety and depression. EMDR is recommended by NICE for PTSD. Psychodynamic psychotherapy suits people who want to explore deep-rooted patterns. Couples therapy requires a specialist — not all individual therapists are trained in it.

Ask about their experience. A therapist who has worked extensively with your specific issue (e.g., OCD, eating disorders, grief) will generally be more effective than a generalist.

Consider the practical details. Frequency (weekly is standard), location or online availability, cancellation policy, and whether they offer a free initial phone consultation.

Paying for therapy: other options

• Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP): Many employers offer 4-8 free sessions through their EAP. Ask your HR department.
• Health insurance: Bupa, AXA, and Vitality cover therapy, but usually require a GP referral and pre-authorisation. Cover is often limited to 10-20 sessions per year.
• Sliding scale fees: Many independent therapists offer reduced rates for people on low incomes. Ask when booking.
• Training therapists: Therapists in their final year of training offer sessions at reduced rates (£20-40), supervised by a qualified professional. Quality can be excellent.

The bottom line

Budget £50-100 per session for private therapy, or £36-50 per week for an online platform. For mild to moderate anxiety and depression, NHS Talking Therapies is a free alternative if you can wait 6-18 weeks. Always verify your therapist's registration before booking, and don't be afraid to switch if the fit isn't right — the therapeutic relationship matters more than the specific approach.