In short: Private mental health care means paying for an assessment or therapy yourself (or through insurance) rather than using NHS-funded services. The main practical differences are usually how quickly you can be seen, being able to choose your therapist and appointment times, and booking without a GP referral. It does not replace NHS or emergency care: if you are in crisis, call NHS 111 (mental health option) or 999.

This guide, written by the clinical team at Ready Health in Standish, Wigan, explains what private mental health support involves, how it fits alongside the NHS and how to decide whether it is right for you.

What is private mental health care?

Private mental health care is support delivered by independent clinicians and organisations and paid for by the patient, an employer scheme or private medical insurance. It can range from a single counselling session to a specialist diagnostic assessment. In the UK, private clinics providing regulated healthcare in England must be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), and therapists and psychologists should belong to a recognised professional register or accredited body.

What support can you get privately?

What is available depends on the provider. At Ready Health, the mental health and psychology services currently include:

Talking therapy and counselling, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Support for depression and anxiety
Bereavement counselling and relationship counselling
Support for eating difficulties
Hypnotherapy
Adult ADHD assessment, medication reviews and titration, and ADHD coaching

Some conditions, such as severe or complex mental illness, need specialist secondary care teams (for example psychiatry and community mental health teams). A private appointment is not always the right route, and a good provider will tell you if your needs are better met elsewhere.

How does private care compare with NHS mental health services?

NHS mental health care is free at the point of use and covers everything from talking therapies to specialist inpatient care. In England, adults can usually refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies for common problems such as anxiety and depression without seeing a GP first. Waiting times vary by area and by service.

	NHS services	Private services
Cost	Free at the point of use	Paid by you or your insurer
Access	Self-referral for some services; GP referral for others	Usually book directly
Waiting time	Varies by area and service	Often shorter, depending on clinician availability
Choice	Limited choice of therapist	You can often choose clinician and appointment time
Crisis and specialist care	Crisis teams, inpatient and community care	Most clinics do not provide emergency or inpatient care

Many people use both: for example, private counselling while remaining under their GP for medication and physical health.

What are the practical benefits of going private?

Timing: appointments can often be arranged sooner and at times that fit around work or family.
Choice: you can choose a type of therapy or a clinician you feel comfortable with, which matters because the therapeutic relationship affects how helpful therapy feels.
Continuity: you usually see the same practitioner each session.
Direct booking: no referral letter is needed for most talking therapies.

Confidentiality applies equally in the NHS and private sector. Private records are kept confidential, although with your consent, or where there is a serious risk to you or others, information may be shared with your GP.

How much does private mental health care cost?

Costs depend on the type of support, the clinician's qualifications and how many sessions you need. Ask for clear fees before booking, check whether an initial assessment is charged separately, and if you have private medical insurance, check with your insurer what is covered and whether they need a GP referral first.

When should you seek urgent help instead?

Private clinics are not emergency services. Get help straight away if:

you feel you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe, or someone has self-harmed seriously or taken an overdose: call 999 or go to A&E
you need urgent advice: call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, or use 111.nhs.uk
you need to talk to someone now: Samaritans are available on 116 123, day or night

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a GP referral for private therapy?

Usually not. You can book talking therapies directly. Some insurers and specialist services ask for a referral, so check first.

Will my GP be told?

Not routinely without your consent. We may recommend sharing information with your GP where it supports safe care, for example if medication is involved.

Can I use NHS and private care at the same time?

Yes. Just let each clinician know about the other support you are receiving so care is joined up.

How many sessions will I need?

It varies. Structured therapies such as CBT are often delivered over a set number of sessions agreed at assessment, and progress is reviewed as you go.

Key takeaways

Private mental health care is paid-for support that you can usually book directly.
The main practical differences are speed of access, choice and flexibility, not the quality of NHS clinicians.
NHS Talking Therapies accepts self-referrals for common problems such as anxiety and depression.
Private clinics are not crisis services: use 999, A&E or NHS 111 (mental health option) in an emergency.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Shamir Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Ready Health. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician.

If you would like to talk through your options, see our mental health and psychology services in Standish, Wigan or call the clinic to book an initial consultation.