Private therapy online
If you are considering private therapy, you have probably already weighed up the options and decided that waiting months for support is not realistic for you right now. Private therapy online gives you faster access to qualified professionals, the freedom to choose who you work with, and the flexibility to fit sessions around your life rather than the other way around. At The Online Psychologists, every session is delivered by a doctoral-level, HCPC-registered clinical psychologist, not a counsellor or unregulated therapist. There are no waiting lists, no referral hoops to jump through, and no limit on how many sessions you can have.
Why choose private therapy
The NHS provides vital mental health services, and for many people it is the right route. But accessing psychological therapy through the NHS can take time. Waiting times for talking therapies vary across the country, but 6 to 18 months is common for specialist psychological input.
Private therapy removes those barriers. Here is what it offers.
No waiting lists. You can typically start therapy within a week of getting in touch, rather than months down the line. If you are struggling now, that speed of access matters.
Choose your psychologist. On the NHS, you are allocated a practitioner based on availability. Privately, you can choose someone whose expertise, style and personality feel right for you. At The Online Psychologists, our Clinical Director personally matches you with the right clinician based on your needs and preferences.
No session limits. NHS talking therapies are often capped at a set number of sessions. Private therapy allows you and your psychologist to work together for as long as is clinically useful, whether that is 8 sessions or 30.
Not limited to CBT. While CBT is an excellent approach for many difficulties, it is not the only one. NHS services, particularly IAPT (now known as NHS Talking Therapies), often deliver CBT as a default. Our psychologists are trained across 12 evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including EMDR, schema therapy, compassion-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and psychodynamic therapy, and they tailor your treatment rather than offering a one-size-fits-all model.
Continuity of care. In NHS services, you may see different clinicians at different stages, or be discharged and need to re-refer if difficulties return. With private therapy, you build an ongoing relationship with your psychologist. If you need a break and come back later, your therapist already knows your history.
Private vs NHS therapy
Both routes have their place. This is not about one being better than the other, it is about understanding what each offers so you can make the right decision for your situation.
| Private therapy | NHS therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | £130 per session (may be covered by insurance) | Free at point of access |
| Waiting time | Typically within one week | 6 to 18 months for specialist input |
| Referral needed | No, self-refer directly | GP referral or self-referral to NHS Talking Therapies |
| Choice of therapist | Yes, matched to your needs | Allocated based on availability |
| Number of sessions | No fixed limit, guided by clinical need | Usually capped at 6 to 12 sessions |
| Therapeutic approaches | Multiple approaches available | Often limited to CBT within IAPT/Talking Therapies |
| Practitioner level | Doctoral-level clinical psychologist (HCPC registered) | Varies, may be a trainee, counsellor or psychological wellbeing practitioner |
| Flexibility | Evenings and daytime, sessions from anywhere in the UK | Appointment times dependent on service availability |
| Continuity | Same psychologist throughout | May change practitioner between stages of care |
The NHS route is the right choice for many people, particularly if cost is a barrier or if your needs are being met within the timeframe available. Private therapy is worth considering if you want faster access, more choice, and a tailored approach delivered by a specialist.
No referral needed
One of the most common questions we receive is whether you need a GP referral to see a private psychologist. The answer is no.
You can contact us directly without involving your GP, without being assessed by a panel, and without needing to meet any specific criteria. There is no gatekeeping. If you feel you would benefit from professional support, that is reason enough to get started.
Many people come to us after being told by their GP that the NHS waiting list is too long, or after being discharged from NHS services and feeling they still need help. Others come because they have never sought therapy before but want to work with someone who specialises in their particular difficulty, whether that is anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, burnout, perinatal mental health or something else entirely.
The process is straightforward. Tell us what’s bringing you here, and if we are the right fit, your first session can usually be arranged within a week.
What is included in each session
Every session with The Online Psychologists includes the following.
- 50 minutes with an HCPC-registered clinical psychologist via secure, encrypted video
- Access to 12 evidence-based therapeutic approaches, tailored to your needs rather than a fixed protocol
- Personal matching with a psychologist whose expertise and approach are the best fit for your difficulties
- Flexible scheduling, including daytime appointments
- No contracts or minimum commitments, you can stop at any time
The cost is £130 per 50-minute session. There are no hidden fees, no package upsells, and no pressure to commit to a fixed number of sessions. Full pricing details are available on our website because we believe transparency matters.
Payment is made before each session by bank transfer or card. We provide itemised invoices for every session, which can be used for insurance claims or tax purposes where applicable.
Our psychologists
Every session at The Online Psychologists is delivered by a clinical psychologist. Not a counsellor, not a trainee, not a wellbeing practitioner. Our psychologists hold doctorates in clinical psychology (DClinPsy), are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and have extensive experience across both NHS and private practice settings.
This matters because clinical psychologists undergo a minimum of seven years of training, including supervised placements across multiple specialist areas. They are trained in psychological assessment, formulation and a broad range of therapeutic approaches, which means they can adapt their treatment to you rather than applying a single model to everyone.
The practice is led by Dr Rachel Whatmough (DClinPsy, HCPC registration PYL25125), who personally triages every new enquiry and oversees all clinical work within the practice. You can read more about the team on our about page.
If you want to understand the difference between a clinical psychologist and other types of therapist, our guide to psychologist vs therapist vs counsellor explains the qualifications, regulation and scope of practice behind each title.
Health insurance
Many private health insurance policies in the UK cover sessions with a clinical psychologist. If you have cover through your employer or a personal policy, it is worth checking whether psychological therapy is included before your first session.
We regularly work with clients whose treatment is covered by providers including Bupa, AXA Health and Aviva. The process is usually straightforward: check with your insurer that clinical psychology sessions are covered under your plan, obtain any pre-authorisation required, and we handle all the invoicing and administration directly with your insurer.
If you are unsure whether your policy covers our services, contact your insurer and confirm that they cover sessions with an HCPC-registered clinical psychologist delivering therapy via secure video. We are happy to provide any documentation they require.
Frequently asked questions
How much does private therapy cost in the UK?
Private therapy costs vary depending on the type of practitioner and their level of qualification. Counsellors typically charge £40 to £80 per session, psychotherapists £60 to £120, and clinical psychologists £130 to £200. At The Online Psychologists, sessions are £130 for 50 minutes, which is below the average for a doctoral-level clinical psychologist. This reflects our commitment to keeping specialist care accessible without compromising on quality.
Is private therapy worth it?
For many people, yes. Private therapy offers faster access, more choice, and treatment that is tailored to you by a specialist. If you have been on an NHS waiting list for months, if previous therapy has not worked, or if you want to work with someone who has specific expertise in your difficulty, private therapy can be a worthwhile investment. The value lies in the quality of the therapeutic relationship and the expertise of the person you are working with.
Can I use health insurance for private therapy?
Many UK health insurance policies cover sessions with a clinical psychologist, including major providers such as Bupa, AXA Health and Aviva. We handle all the invoicing and administration with your insurer directly. Check with your insurer before starting, as some policies require pre-authorisation or have session limits.
How do I choose a private therapist?
Start by checking qualifications and regulation. In the UK, the strongest credential for a therapy practitioner is HCPC registration as a clinical psychologist, which guarantees doctoral-level training and statutory accountability. Beyond qualifications, look for someone with specific experience in your area of difficulty, and take advantage of initial consultations to see whether the relationship feels right. Our guide to the difference between psychologists, therapists and counsellors can help you navigate the options.
Do I need a GP referral for private therapy?
No. You can self-refer directly to a private psychologist without any GP involvement, assessment panel or eligibility criteria. Simply tell us what’s bringing you here and we will be in touch within 24 hours.
How quickly can I start private therapy?
At The Online Psychologists, there are no long waiting lists. The quickest way to start is to tell us about yourself, and we will come back to you as soon as we can.
What do private psychologists help with?
Our psychologists work with a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, phobias, panic, social anxiety, stress, burnout, grief, low self-esteem and perinatal mental health. If you are unsure whether we can help with your specific situation, get in touch and we will let you know honestly.
Is online private therapy as effective as in-person?
Yes. A substantial body of research, including a major 2018 meta-analysis published in The Lancet Psychiatry, demonstrates that online therapy produces outcomes equivalent to face-to-face treatment for difficulties including anxiety, depression, PTSD and OCD. You can read our full breakdown of the evidence on our online therapy effectiveness page.
Getting started
Starting private therapy does not need to be complicated. Here is how it works.
- Tell us what’s bringing you here by completing our short questionnaire.
- Personal triage. Dr Rachel Whatmough will review your answers and be in touch within 24 hours.
- Personal matching. We will match you with the psychologist whose expertise and approach best suit your situation.
- First session. Your first full 50-minute session is usually arranged within a week.
There is no obligation at any stage. If we are not the right fit, we will tell you honestly and, where possible, point you in the right direction.
Get started when you are ready, or get in touch if you have questions first.