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Talking therapy · UK

Solution-focused therapy - a brief, goal-oriented talking therapy that gets on with the work.

BACP or UKCP-registered therapists for brief, goal-oriented talking therapy ’ typically four to eight sessions on anxiety, low mood, work stress, sleep and phobias, with the focus firmly on the future rather than the past.

See indicative pricing
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Indicative pricing

What private solution-focused brief therapy costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our partner units.

In short

£480–£960, usually 4–8 sessions.

Option Indicative range
Initial consultation (50 min) £110–£180
Follow-up session (50 min) £100–£160
Online session (secure video) £95–£150
Four-session block £380–£620
Eight-session course (typical) £720–£1,200
Booster session (post-course) £110–£170
Couples SFBT session £140–£220

Prices vary by site, by complexity, and by whether add-on care is needed.

The problem

The right modality, the right therapist, and a clear end in mind.

Talking therapy is where private clinics quietly under-deliver ’ no assessment of fit, no end point, and open-ended costs.

  • Match the modality

    SFBT is right for some problems and not others. We say so at the first session, and refer on where CBT or psychiatry fits better.

  • Match the therapist

    The relationship matters more than the model. If it is not clicking after two sessions, we switch therapist ’ no awkward conversations.

  • Agree an end

    SFBT is short by design. A review at four sessions decides continue, close or hand over. No open-ended fees.

When it helps

When solution-focused therapy is the right step.

The presentations that SFBT handles well, and the crisis red flag that needs same-day psychiatry, not brief therapy.

  • Work stress and burnout

    Time-limited support around role change, difficult managers or a high-pressure period ’ SFBT’s natural home.

  • Mild to moderate anxiety

    Generalised anxiety or health anxiety that has not become severe or entrenched.

  • Low mood

    Recent low mood without severe depressive features or suicidal thinking.

  • Sleep problems

    Non-medical sleep difficulty, often around a stressful period. Sits well alongside CBT for insomnia.

  • Specific phobia

    Flying, driving, needles, dental or exam anxiety ’ short, focused work.

  • Public speaking and performance

    Coaching-style short courses for interviews, presentations and stage work.

  • Life transitions

    Bereavement, divorce, redundancy or retirement ’ time-limited support to move forward.

  • Red flag: crisis or severe mental illness

    Suicidal thinking, self-harm or psychosis is not a solution-focused problem ’ same-day psychiatry or NHS crisis team, not a brief therapy course.

Procedure options

The approach depends on the problem.

SFBT is one of several talking therapies ’ here is how it compares to CBT, counselling and psychotherapy.

  • Solution-focused brief therapy

    Short, structured, future-oriented sessions ’ typically 4–8 weeks. What we describe here.

  • Cognitive behaviour therapy

    Structured, evidence-based therapy targeting thoughts and behaviours ’ often first-line for moderate anxiety and depression.

  • Counselling

    Longer, more open-ended work ’ suits complex grief, entrenched relationship problems and identity questions.

  • Psychotherapy

    Longer-term, exploratory work ’ suits chronic patterns, personality difficulty and early trauma.

  • EMDR

    Structured trauma-focused therapy for PTSD and single-incident trauma.

  • Hypnotherapy

    Focused suggestion-based work for specific phobias, sleep and habits ’ short and adjunctive.

  • Coaching

    Goal-focused, non-clinical work for high performers ’ overlaps with SFBT for work stress and transitions.

  • Medication with psychiatry

    For moderate to severe anxiety or depression where therapy alone is not enough ’ a consultant psychiatrist is a better first stop.

Safety and recovery

What to expect from therapy - honestly.

Talking therapy is safe when the therapist is registered and the modality is right for you. The details that matter are assessment, fit, and knowing when SFBT is not the answer.

  • Confidentiality

    Sessions are confidential within legal limits ’ risk to self or others, safeguarding of children or vulnerable adults, and court orders.

  • Emotional intensity

    Talking about difficult things can raise emotions in the short term. Therapists are trained to hold this safely.

  • Not for crisis care

    SFBT is not the right modality if you are in crisis ’ same-day psychiatry, GP or NHS 111 is a better first stop.

  • Not a substitute for medication

    For moderate to severe depression or anxiety, medication with psychiatry alongside therapy is usually more effective than therapy alone.

  • Change is your work

    SFBT is active ’ small experiments between sessions are where change happens. Six sessions on the sofa without homework rarely help.

  • Fit with therapist

    A therapeutic relationship you trust matters more than the model. Say if it is not clicking ’ we happily switch therapist.

  • Online sessions

    Video sessions can be as effective as in-person for most problems, and easier for busy lives. In-person is preferred for some diagnoses.

  • Data and records

    Session notes are held securely in line with UK GDPR. You can request access to your notes at any time.

  • Safeguarding

    Where there is a risk to a child or vulnerable adult, therapists have a duty to share information. Discussed openly at the first session.

Reading your notes

Your notes in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whether it is a three-session course for exam anxiety or an eight-session block on work stress, therapy notes keep to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing a patient’s notes

A quiet reminder

Therapy notes are personal ’ we can talk them through with you.

If you want us to walk you through your goals, session summaries and closure plan, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Presenting concern

    What you came in for, in your words, and the modality agreed at the first session.

  2. 02 Findings

    Goals and preferred future

    Together with the therapist, a description of what a good outcome looks like and how progress will be measured.

  3. 03 Progress

    Session-by-session change

    A brief note per session ’ what shifted, what got tried between sessions, and any scaling questions used.

  4. 04 Impression

    Closure and next steps

    Read this first: end-of-course summary, whether to book boosters, and any onward referral.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Talking therapy is covered by most policies with a mental-health add-on. Session limits vary.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about solution-focused brief therapy.

Quick answers on cost, comparison with CBT, session numbers and online sessions.

  • How much does private solution-focused therapy cost in the UK?

    A single 50-minute session typically costs £100–£180 in 2026, with a full course of 4–8 sessions running £480–£960. Online sessions are usually a little cheaper than in-person.

  • How is SFBT different from CBT?

    CBT works on identifying and changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours. SFBT skips much of that and focuses on what is already working and small next steps. Both are evidence-based; the right choice depends on the problem.

  • How many sessions will I need?

    Four to eight is typical. Some issues resolve in three; a few need a longer course or a switch to CBT or psychotherapy. A review at four sessions decides together.

  • Can SFBT be done online?

    Yes. Secure video sessions are as effective as in-person for most problems and often easier to sustain. In-person is preferred for some diagnoses.

  • Is SFBT right for severe depression or trauma?

    Usually not. Severe depression, PTSD and complex trauma respond better to CBT, EMDR or longer-term psychotherapy alongside psychiatric review.

  • Does the NHS offer this, and why go private?

    The NHS mostly offers CBT and counselling through NHS Talking Therapies. SFBT is available privately, and private routes are used for speed, choice of therapist and continuity across a short course.

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