Skip to main content

Psychology · UK

Psychology services - assessment first, then therapy.

Clinical, counselling, health and neuropsychology with HCPC-registered chartered psychologists across the UK. Formal assessment, evidence-based therapy, and a written discharge report - not an open-ended weekly appointment.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private psychology costs in the UK.

In short

A first assessment with a chartered psychologist: £320–£520, formulation and plan in one week.

Service Indicative range
Initial psychology assessment (90 min) £320–£520
Individual therapy session (50 min) £140–£240
Neuropsychological assessment (adult) £1,800–£3,200
Neurodevelopmental (ADHD/ASD) diagnostic £1,600–£2,800
Health-psychology programme (chronic pain, cardiac, cancer) £1,600–£3,800 (course)
Paediatric psychology assessment £380–£640
Medico-legal / capacity report £2,400–£6,500

Fees vary by psychologist seniority, specialism, testing time and report complexity. Neuropsychological batteries include four to eight hours of testing plus a written report; medico-legal reports are quoted separately by instruction.

The problem

Formal assessment, the right modality, and a defined end.

The UK private market is full of unregulated "wellness" and open-ended weekly slots. We do the opposite - chartered psychologists, assessment first, measurable therapy, defined ending.

  • Chartered and HCPC-registered

    We share the registration number on request.

  • Formulation before therapy

    A written formulation and treatment plan before you begin - so what you are getting has a name and an evidence base.

  • Outcome measures, not vibes

    PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, WSAS at start, mid-point and end. If the numbers do not move, the plan changes.

When it helps

When psychology services are the right step.

The presentations we see most, plus the one red flag that means urgent psychiatric assessment first rather than a routine psychology referral.

  • Depression, anxiety, panic and phobia

    The most common referrals - high-intensity CBT, ACT and third-wave protocols delivered by a chartered psychologist.

  • Trauma and PTSD

    Trauma-focused CBT, EMDR and narrative exposure - delivered by psychologists with dedicated trauma training and supervision.

  • Adjustment to serious physical illness

    Health psychology for cancer, cardiac, respiratory, IBD and chronic pain. Behavioural change, adjustment, sleep and pain reprocessing.

  • Neuropsychological testing

    Objective cognitive assessment after stroke, TBI, MS, epilepsy, dementia workup - WAIS-IV, memory, executive function batteries.

  • ADHD and autism assessment

    NICE-aligned diagnostic assessment for adults and children, using DIVA-5, ADOS-2, ADI-R and standardised rating scales.

  • Bariatric, fertility and transplant assessment

    Pre-surgical psychological assessment where a clinical psychology sign-off is required by the treating team.

  • Occupational and executive assessment

    Return-to-work, capacity and executive coaching-adjacent work - where a clinical opinion, not a coach, is what is needed.

  • Red flag: acute psychosis or suicidality

    Active suicidal plans, hearing voices or severe self-neglect need urgent psychiatric assessment first, not routine psychology. Call 999 or NHS 111 (press 2).

Service types

Not all psychology is the same - pick the right specialism.

Chartered psychologists in the UK train in one of several specialisms.

  • Clinical psychology

    Assessment and treatment of mental health difficulties across the lifespan. The default route for depression, anxiety, OCD, trauma and personality difficulties.

  • Counselling psychology

    Similar training in evidence-based therapies with an added emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. Overlap with clinical psychology in adult mental health.

  • Health psychology

    Applied to physical health - chronic pain, cancer, cardiac rehab, diabetes, IBD, adherence and behaviour change. Often integrated with the medical team.

  • Neuropsychology

    Objective cognitive assessment and cognitive rehabilitation after brain injury, stroke, dementia workup, MS and epilepsy - with a full written report.

  • Paediatric psychology

    Children and young people with mental health, developmental or health-related psychological needs - with age-appropriate tools and parental involvement.

  • Forensic psychology

    Risk assessment, offender treatment and expert witness work. Rarely a route into private care but included for completeness.

  • Occupational and organisational psychology

    Work-related assessment, return-to-work planning and organisational interventions. Distinct from clinical work.

  • Medico-legal psychology

    Personal injury, capacity, family court and clinical negligence reports by senior chartered psychologists to CPR Part 35 standards.

Safety and standards

What to expect - honestly.

Psychology is a regulated profession in the UK, and the standards worth checking before you spend money.

  • Psychology is regulated in the UK

    Any practitioner calling themselves a clinical, counselling, health, forensic, educational or sport & exercise psychologist must be HCPC-registered. The word "psychologist" alone is not protected - always check the register.

  • Assessment is not the same as treatment

    A neuropsychological or ADHD assessment tells you what is going on. Treatment, medication and recommendations are separate decisions with separate clinicians.

  • A course, not an open-ended appointment

    Evidence-based psychological therapy is usually 8–20 sessions with a pre-agreed number, not an indefinite standing weekly slot. Endings are planned.

  • Confidentiality has UK-specific limits

    Sessions are confidential, with legal exceptions: serious risk to self or others, safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, and court order. The psychologist will explain these at the start.

  • Outcome measures track your progress

    Standardised measures (PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5, IES-R, WSAS) are used at start, review and end. If numbers are not moving by session six or eight, the plan changes.

  • Medication is a separate conversation

    Psychologists do not prescribe.

  • A neuropsychology report is a legal document

    The report goes into your medical record and, with consent, to insurers or employers. Nothing is written that has not been discussed with you first.

  • Choice of modality matters

    CBT, ACT, EMDR, CFT, CAT, DBT-informed and Third-Wave protocols are all evidence-based but not interchangeable. The formulation drives the choice.

  • Red flags after starting

    Suggestions of a dual relationship, undocumented touch, financial arrangements or accelerated intimacy breach UK practice standards.

Reading your psychology report

Your psychology record in four parts. Read the last one first.

A UK chartered psychologist writing a formulation

A quiet reminder

Assessment language can feel technical - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to walk you through your assessment or discharge report before you meet your GP, insurer or employer, just ask.

  1. 01 Assessment

    Presentation, formulation and diagnosis

    What the psychologist heard on interview, standardised scores, the working formulation and any diagnosis (ICD-11 / DSM-5-TR) supported by the data.

  2. 02 Plan

    Modality, sessions and measures

    The therapy chosen - CBT, ACT, EMDR, CFT, CAT - with the number of sessions, the goals, and the outcome measures used to track change.

  3. 03 Review

    Mid-course clinical review

    A structured review at session six or eight: what has moved, what has not, and any changes to the plan (including onward referral for medication).

  4. 04 Discharge

    Discharge summary and relapse-prevention plan

    Read this first: a plain-English summary of what was worked on, what changed, and a personalised plan for staying well and when to come back.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Most UK insurers fund a defined block of sessions with a chartered psychologist when clinically indicated. Neuropsychology and ADHD assessments are covered case-by-case.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about UK psychology services.

Quick answers on registration, cost, insurance and choosing the right specialism.

  • What is the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist?

    A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health and can prescribe medication. A psychologist has a doctoral-level qualification in applied psychology and delivers assessment and psychological therapy but does not prescribe. Many people benefit from both, and we routinely arrange parallel care.

  • How do I know a psychologist is properly qualified in the UK?

    Anyone using a protected title (clinical, counselling, health, forensic, educational, sport and exercise, or occupational psychologist) must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The word "psychologist" alone is not protected - always search the HCPC register.

  • Which type of psychology service do I need?

    For mood, anxiety, trauma or OCD, a clinical or counselling psychologist. For adjustment to serious illness, chronic pain or health behaviour change, a health psychologist. For cognitive concerns after stroke, TBI, MS or dementia workup, a neuropsychologist. For ADHD or autism diagnostic assessment, a specialist assessor.

  • How much does private psychology cost in the UK?

    Initial assessments run £320–£520. Weekly therapy sessions are £140–£240. Full neuropsychological assessments are £1,800–£3,200 with a written report. ADHD or autism diagnostic assessments are £1,600–£2,800. Health-psychology programmes of 8–16 sessions come to £1,600–£3,800.

  • Will insurance pay?

    Most UK insurers will fund a defined block of therapy with a chartered psychologist when medically indicated - usually 6, 10 or 20 sessions authorised at a time. Neuropsychological assessments are sometimes covered where indicated by neurology.

  • Can I see a psychologist by video?

    Yes, most therapy sessions and many assessments can be delivered by secure video across the UK. Cognitive testing generally still needs one in-person visit, and neurodevelopmental (ADHD, autism) assessments usually combine video interview with in-person observation.

Related treatments

Looking for something else?