What is the difference between CBT and counselling in terms of cost?

CBT and counselling cost similar amounts privately — typically £50–120 per session. CBT is usually more structured and time-limited (6–12 sessions), while counselling may be more open-ended. CBT is NICE-recommended for anxiety and depression. Some CBT is available online from £30–45 per session through providers like ieso.

Is online therapy cheaper than in-person?

Yes, online therapy is typically 20–40% cheaper than in-person sessions. Online therapy costs £30–75 per session compared to £50–120 for face-to-face. Platforms like BetterHelp offer unlimited messaging plus weekly video sessions from £36/week. Online CBT through ieso costs from £45 per session.

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.

8 providers comparedPrices verified April 2026

Market data: private ADHD assessments

8 providers · April 2026

Lowest observed

£360

per assessment

Typical price

£750

per assessment

Highest observed

£2,000

per assessment

CBT session range: £50 – £120

NHS alternative: Free (2–4 year ADHD wait)

Right to Choose: Free via GP referral

Notable mental health services providers

Providers that stand out on specific attributes. Based on verified data — not a recommendation.

Psychiatry-UK

from £360

Includes most services

NHS Right to Choose available. Online ADHD assessments. UK's largest online psychiatry provider.

The Awareness Centre

from £50/session

Lowest price

Affordable therapy in London. Sliding scale pricing. Trainee and qualified therapists.

Clinical Partners

from £300

Widest range

400+ clinicians nationwide. ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma. Fast appointments.

BetterHelp

from £36/week

Lowest price

Unlimited messaging + weekly video. Licensed therapists. Cancel anytime.

Price guide

ADHD Assessment

Full diagnostic assessment including clinical interview, questionnaires, and report

£750

£500 – £2,000

CBT Therapy (per session)

Cognitive behavioural therapy — typically 6–12 sessions recommended

£70

£50 – £120

Psychiatrist Initial Consultation

First appointment with a consultant psychiatrist — assessment and treatment plan

£350

£250 – £500

Psychiatrist Follow-up

Review appointment for medication management or ongoing care

£200

£150 – £300

Psychological Assessment

Comprehensive psychometric testing — autism, learning difficulties, personality

£600

£400 – £1,000

Online Therapy Session

Video or text-based therapy via platforms like BetterHelp or ieso

£50

£30 – £75

EMDR (per session)

Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing — trauma-focused therapy

£80

£60 – £100

Couples Therapy

Joint session with a qualified couples or relationship therapist

£100

£70 – £150

Providers compared

Provider	From	Mode	Wait Time
Psychiatry-UK UK's largest online psychiatry service. NHS Right to Choose for ADHD. From £360 for ADHD assessment. All consultations via video.	£360	Online	4–8 weeks
Clinical Partners Network of 400+ clinicians across the UK. ADHD, depression, anxiety, trauma. From £300 initial consultation.	£300	Nationwide + online	1–2 weeks
ADHD 360 ADHD specialist provider. Full diagnostic assessment from £595. Titration and medication management available.	£595	Online	2–6 weeks
BetterHelp From £36/week for unlimited messaging + weekly video sessions. Licensed therapists. Subscription model.	£36/wk	Online only	Immediate
Harley Therapy Established Harley Street practice. CBT, psychotherapy, EMDR. From £85/session. Senior therapists available.	£85	London + online	1–2 weeks
Priory Group UK's leading mental health hospital group. Inpatient and day programmes. From £300 for outpatient assessment.	£300	Inpatient + outpatient	1–3 days
The Awareness Centre Affordable therapy in South London. Trainee and qualified therapists. From £50/session. Sliding scale available.	£50	London + online	1–2 weeks
ieso NHS and private CBT via typed online sessions. From £45 per session. NICE-approved digital CBT provider.	£45	Online only	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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

A private ADHD assessment costs £500–2,000, with a typical price of £750. Psychiatry-UK offers assessments from £360. The assessment includes a clinical interview, questionnaires, and a diagnostic report. NHS Right to Choose may cover the cost — ask your GP.

What is NHS Right to Choose for ADHD?

Right to Choose lets you ask your GP to refer you to an approved private provider (like Psychiatry-UK) for ADHD assessment, funded by the NHS. This is typically much faster than the local NHS waiting list, which can be 2–4 years.

How much is private therapy per session?

Private CBT costs £50–120 per session (typical £70). Online therapy is cheaper at £30–75. Couples therapy costs £70–150 per session. BetterHelp offers unlimited messaging plus weekly video from £36/week.

Is online therapy cheaper than face-to-face?

Yes — online therapy is typically 20–40% cheaper. Online sessions cost £30–75 compared to £50–120 in person. Platforms like BetterHelp and ieso offer structured online therapy from £36/week and £45/session respectively.

CBT vs counselling — what costs more?

Both cost similar amounts (£50–120/session). CBT is more structured and time-limited (6–12 sessions), so the total cost is often lower. Counselling may be open-ended. CBT is NICE-recommended for anxiety and depression.

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.