Private therapy online

Private therapy online gives you quick access to a qualified psychologist, a say in who you work with, and sessions that fit around your life. At The Online Psychologists, every session is with a doctoral-level, HCPC-registered clinical psychologist. Waits are usually short, you can get in touch directly without a referral, and there is no limit on how many sessions you can have.

Why choose private therapy

Here is what private therapy with us offers.

Short waits. We get back to you within 3 working days of getting in touch.

Choose your psychologist. You can work with 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. You and your psychologist can work together for as long as is clinically useful, whether that is 8 sessions or 30.

A wide range of approaches. Between them, our psychologists offer 12 evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including CBT, EMDR, schema therapy, compassion-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy and psychodynamic therapy, and they tailor your treatment to you.

Continuity of care. You see the same psychologist from your first session to your last, so you build an ongoing relationship with them. If you need a break and come back later, your psychologist already knows your history.

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. If you feel you would benefit from professional support, that is reason enough to get in touch.

Some people come to us after having therapy before and wanting to do more. Others have never had therapy and 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, we will match you with a psychologist who will arrange your first session with you.

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
• Personal matching with a psychologist whose expertise and approach are the best fit for your difficulties
• Flexible scheduling, with daytime, evening and weekend appointments
• No contracts or minimum commitments, you can stop at any time

The cost is £130 per 50-minute session. You pay per session and there is no fixed number of sessions to commit to. Full pricing details are on our website.

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 with a clinical psychologist. 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.

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 training. At The Online Psychologists, sessions are £130 for 50 minutes with a doctoral-level clinical psychologist.

Is private therapy worth it?

For many people, yes. Private therapy offers quick access, more choice, and treatment that is tailored to you by a specialist. If you want to start soon, or 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, clinical psychologists are registered with the HCPC, which means they have doctoral-level training and are regulated by law. Beyond qualifications, look for someone with specific experience in your area of difficulty, and use your first session to see whether the relationship feels right. Our guide to the difference between psychologists, therapists and counsellors explains the options.

Do I need a GP referral for private therapy?

No. You can get in touch with us directly without going through your GP. Simply tell us what’s bringing you here and we will be in touch within 3 working days.

How quickly can I start private therapy?

At The Online Psychologists, we reply within 3 working days of getting in touch. The quickest way to start is to tell us about yourself.

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?

For many people, yes. Large reviews of randomised controlled trials have found little or no difference in outcomes between therapist-guided remote CBT and face-to-face CBT for difficulties including anxiety and depression (Zandieh et al., CMAJ, 2024; Carlbring et al., 2018). 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.

1. Tell us what’s bringing you here by completing our short questionnaire.
2. Personal triage. Dr Rachel Whatmough will review your answers and be in touch within 3 working days.
3. Personal matching. We will match you with the psychologist whose expertise and approach best suit your situation.
4. First session. Your psychologist will arrange your first full 50-minute session with you.

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.