Private Mental Health & ADHD Assessment Prices UK 2026
Compare private mental health services from 8 UK providers — from ADHD assessments and psychiatrist consultations to CBT and online therapy. See what each costs and whether the NHS or private route makes sense for you.
According to TreatCompare comparison of 8 UK providers, a private ADHD assessment costs £500–2,000 (typical £750), CBT therapy costs £50–120 per session, and a psychiatrist consultation costs £250–500. NHS ADHD waiting lists are typically 2–4 years. Psychiatry-UK offers assessments from £360 via NHS Right to Choose.
How much does private mental health and ADHD assessment cost in the UK in 2026?
Market data: private ADHD assessments
8 providers · April 2026Notable mental health services providers
Providers that stand out on specific attributes. Based on verified data — not a recommendation.
Psychiatry-UK
from £360NHS Right to Choose available. Online ADHD assessments. UK's largest online psychiatry provider.
The Awareness Centre
from £50/sessionAffordable therapy in London. Sliding scale pricing. Trainee and qualified therapists.
Clinical Partners
from £300400+ clinicians nationwide. ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma. Fast appointments.
BetterHelp
from £36/weekUnlimited messaging + weekly video. Licensed therapists. Cancel anytime.
Price guide
ADHD Assessment
£750
£500 – £2,000
A formal diagnostic assessment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, involving clinical interview, validated questionnaires, and developmental history review.
Full diagnostic report included. NHS Right to Choose may cover the cost via GP referral.
CBT Therapy (per session)
£70
£50 – £120
Cognitive behavioural therapy — a structured, evidence-based talking therapy that helps you identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours.
Typically 6–12 sessions recommended. NICE first-line treatment for anxiety and depression.
Psychiatrist Initial Consultation
£350
£250 – £500
First appointment with a consultant psychiatrist — a medical doctor specialising in mental health who can diagnose conditions, prescribe medication, and create treatment plans.
Typically 50–60 minutes. Can prescribe and adjust psychiatric medication.
Psychiatrist Follow-up
£200
£150 – £300
Review appointment with your psychiatrist for medication management, dose adjustment, or ongoing care monitoring.
Usually 20–30 minutes. Frequency depends on treatment stage.
Psychological Assessment
£600
£400 – £1,000
Comprehensive psychometric testing used to diagnose conditions such as autism spectrum disorder, learning difficulties, or personality disorders.
Includes standardised tests, clinical interview, and detailed written report.
Online Therapy Session
£50
£30 – £75
Therapy delivered via video call or text-based messaging with a licensed therapist. Convenient access from home with no travel required.
Platforms include BetterHelp, ieso, and Talkiatry. Subscription or pay-per-session.
EMDR (per session)
£80
£60 – £100
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing — a trauma-focused therapy where you recall distressing events while the therapist guides your eye movements, helping the brain reprocess traumatic memories.
NICE-recommended for PTSD. Typically 6–12 sessions.
Couples Therapy
£100
£70 – £150
Joint therapy sessions with a qualified relationship therapist to address communication issues, conflict, intimacy problems, or relationship breakdown.
Typically 50–60 minutes. May use approaches like Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT).
Providers compared
Psychiatry-UK
Online
From
£360
UK's largest online psychiatry service. NHS Right to Choose for ADHD. From £360 for ADHD assessment. All consultations via video.
- Wait time
- 4–8 weeks
Clinical Partners
Nationwide + online
From
£300
Network of 400+ clinicians across the UK. ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma. From £300 initial consultation.
- Wait time
- 1–2 weeks
ADHD 360
Online
From
£595
ADHD specialist provider. Full diagnostic assessment from £595. Titration and medication management available.
- Wait time
- 2–6 weeks
BetterHelp
Online only
From
£36/wk
From £36/week for unlimited messaging + weekly video sessions. Licensed therapists. Subscription model.
- Wait time
- Immediate
Harley Therapy
London + online
From
£85
Established Harley Street practice. CBT, psychotherapy, EMDR. From £85/session. Senior therapists available.
- Wait time
- 1–2 weeks
Priory Group
Inpatient + outpatient
From
£300
UK's leading mental health hospital group. Inpatient and day programmes. From £300 for outpatient assessment.
- Wait time
- 1–3 days
The Awareness Centre
London + online
From
£50
Affordable therapy in South London. Trainee and qualified therapists. From £50/session. Sliding scale available.
- Wait time
- 1–2 weeks
ieso
Online only
From
£45
NHS and private CBT via typed online sessions. From £45 per session. NICE-approved digital CBT provider.
- Wait time
- 1–2 weeks
Should you go private or use the NHS?
NHS route
NHS mental health services are free via GP referral. You can access talking therapies (IAPT/NHS Talking Therapies) for anxiety and depression, and specialist psychiatric services for conditions like ADHD, bipolar, and psychosis. NHS ADHD assessment waiting lists are typically 2–4 years.
Typical wait: 2–4 years (ADHD); 6–18 weeks (talking therapies)
Private route
Same-day or next-day appointments. Choose your provider. No referral needed in most cases.
Typical wait: 24 hours – 1 week
When private mental health services makes sense
Long NHS ADHD waiting lists
NHS ADHD assessment waits are 2–4 years in most areas. Private assessments take 2–8 weeks and cost £360–2,000. NHS Right to Choose can provide a free private assessment via GP referral.
You need a specific therapy type
NHS talking therapies primarily offer CBT. If you need EMDR, psychodynamic therapy, couples therapy, or specialist trauma work, private gives you more choice.
You want to choose your therapist
Private therapy lets you select a specific therapist based on specialisation, approach, gender, or language. NHS services assign based on availability.
You need urgent support
Private psychiatrists can often see you within days. For crisis support, always contact NHS 111, Samaritans (116 123), or go to A&E.
What to check before booking
- ✓Ask your GP about NHS Right to Choose for ADHD — it may be free
- ✓Check if your employer offers an EAP (Employee Assistance Programme) with free therapy sessions
- ✓Verify the therapist is registered with BACP, UKCP, or BPS
- ✓For psychiatrists, check GMC registration and specialist credentials
- ✓Ask about sliding scale or reduced-rate sessions if cost is a barrier
Questions to ask a provider
- ?What does the assessment include and how long does it take?
- ?Will I receive a written report I can share with my GP?
- ?How many therapy sessions are typically recommended?
- ?What is your cancellation policy?
- ?Can you prescribe medication, or is that a separate service?
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private ADHD assessment cost?
What is NHS Right to Choose for ADHD?
How much is private therapy per session?
Is online therapy lower-cost than face-to-face?
CBT vs counselling — what costs more?
Related comparisons
Sources & further reading
- NICE CG72: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder — ADHD diagnosis criteria and treatment pathway referenced in assessment pricing and Right to Choose guidance
- NICE CG90: Depression in adults — Stepped-care model for depression treatment including therapy recommendations and session counts
- NHS Right to Choose: Mental health — Patient right to choose approved provider for NHS-funded ADHD assessment via GP referral
- NICE CG159: Social anxiety disorder — CBT as first-line treatment and therapy duration recommendations referenced in pricing
- BACP Register of Counsellors & Psychotherapists — Professional registration verification for therapists — used to confirm practitioner credentials
- BPS: Find a psychologist — British Psychological Society directory used to verify chartered psychologist credentials
How we compare mental health prices
Prices are collected from provider websites and verified against published fee schedules. We compare consultation fees, therapy session costs, and assessment prices. Therapist registration status is checked against BACP, UKCP, and BPS directories. We do not accept payment for ranking or inclusion.
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