The Cost of Mental Health: Private Therapy vs Free NHS Therapy
Written by
Cara Bradley
9 min read
Updated: 25/02/2026
People struggling with their mental health in the UK can, if appropriate, be referred for free therapy through the NHS.
In 2025, the average time from referral for free NHS therapy to attending the first appointment was 28 weeks.
When someone’s quality of life is being compromised by their poor mental health, 28 weeks is a long time. Instead of waiting for free NHS help, some people are choosing to pay for private therapy instead. Private therapy comes with a significant price tag, and financial strain could worsen existing mental health conditions, such as anxiety.
If you’ve been referred for therapy or are considering starting, you may have questions about the options available to you, such as how much does private therapy cost.
In our guide, Viva Money explores the difference between free and private therapy, as well as sharing additional low-cost services that could be a suitable alternative or addition.
How much does private therapy cost?
If you’re faced with a lengthy wait to access support, you might think about taking matters into your own hands and wonder, ‘how much does private therapy cost in the UK?’.
cost of private therapy varies and will largely depend on the therapist and the service(s) they offer. On average, private therapy in the UK could cost between £50 and £200 per session. Unfortunately, this is a cost that has increased by 34% since 2022, which could make private therapy inaccessible for those who need it.
If you’ve decided that private therapy could be suitable and affordable for your situation, it’s a good idea to shop around and take the time to read through each therapist's profile and compare the prices of each. You can search for a qualified therapist in your local area here.
NHS talking therapies: who can get free therapy?
To access free talking therapies through the NHS, you must be registered with a GP and over the age of 18. In some areas, talking therapies could be available to people aged 16 and over.
You’ll need to complete an online assessment to check whether the service is right for you.
Free NHS talking therapies may be suitable for those experiencing:
- Low mood
- Stress
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Personality disorders
- Bipolar disorder
- Disordered eating
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Please note that this is not an exhaustive list.
It’s important to be aware that therapy may not be right for everyone. Some mental health conditions might need different or more specialist treatment. Your GP will be able to discuss your options and work with you to find the right treatment plan.
How to apply for NHS talking therapies
You can be referred to NHS talking therapies by your GP, or you can refer yourself.
Is private therapy better than NHS?
Neither type of therapy should be considered ‘better’ than the other. Mental health is a diverse spectrum, and how you respond to or how useful you find therapeutic help will depend on many factors.
The decision whether to use the NHS or pay for private therapy should boil down to your needs and financial circumstances.
If you feel that you need therapy quickly and money isn’t an issue, you might choose to look into private therapy rather than remaining on the NHS waiting list.
Below, we’ve provided a brief comparison table detailing some key differences between free NHS therapy and paid, private therapy.
NHS vs private therapy
| NHS therapy | Private therapy |
|---|---|
| Free. | Average cost between £50 and £200 per session. |
| Typically, longer waiting lists. | Waiting list timescales will depend on the therapist; some may not have a waiting list at all. |
| You’re assigned a therapist. | You can choose your own therapist. |
| The typical schedule is once a week. | Subject to the availability of your chosen therapist, you can decide the frequency of your sessions. |
| Usually capped at a certain number of sessions, for example, 12. | You can have as few or as many sessions as you require. |
| May not work with certain conditions. | You could actively search for a therapist specialising in your specific condition. |
How to get free therapy in the UK
While the main way to access free therapy in the UK is through the NHS, other free or low-cost options could be available.
- Your employer
You might be entitled to free or discounted therapy from your employer. Speak to your manager or HR department to find out whether they offer an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). An EAP could provide support such as a helpline, face-to-face counselling, and legal advice. You can refer yourself to the programme, which is confidential; this information will not be shared with your employer. - Your university/ college
Studying at university or college? You should have access to a free student counselling service. Your tutor or student support team should be able to point you in the right direction. - Charity support
Some charities offer free therapy services.
Mental health charity Mind has a number of centres located up and down the country, and while the services offered by each will vary, they could include free counselling and talking therapies. You can search for your local Mind here.
Anxiety UK offers therapy sessions, and while this service is not free, it typically costs less than private therapy. - Local support groups
Keep an eye out for local mental health support groups. You might be able to find details of any such organisations at community centres, libraries, leisure centres, or your local social media groups. While attending support groups isn’t the same as therapy, it could be something to think about while you wait for your NHS sessions to start. - Community Mental Health (CMH)
If you have a long-term and/or serious mental health condition, your GP may refer you to NHS Community Mental Health services. This could be instead of or in addition to NHS talking therapies.
You do not need to pay to use CMH services.
Urgent mental health support
Whether you’re waiting for a therapy appointment, are in-between sessions, or have never sought help before, please know that if you’re struggling with your mental health, support is available.
- If you’re in immediate danger, please call the emergency services on 999, or get yourself to the nearest A&E department.
- The Samaritans offer a free support line which can be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The number is 116 123. Their lines can get busy, and you may be placed on hold, but someone will be with you as soon as possible.
- Mental health charity MIND has put together this guide on how to cope while on a waiting list for therapy.
You can find a comprehensive list of mental health support lines and services here. If you’re calling a helpline, please remember to check for any applicable call charges.
Could I take out a loan to pay for private therapy?
In theory, you could take out a loan to pay for private therapy, but you should think very, very carefully before you do so.
A loan is a serious financial commitment, and you must be confident that you can afford to make your monthly repayments, which will include interest.
Please consider the next few months. Therapy can be tough, particularly at first, because it can often unearth buried feelings and trauma. These feelings, coupled with the symptoms of the mental health condition(s) you’re already dealing with, can be a lot to carry. If you think there’s a possibility that you may need to take time off work, please consider how this will impact your income and your ability to make your loan repayments.
It’s also worth noting that financial pressures could exacerbate certain conditions, such as anxiety. In addition to this, some mental health conditions can cause episodes of behaviour, such as impulse spending, which could affect your financial situation.
Are money worries affecting your mental health?
Money worries and mental health can go hand in hand.
46% of people in problem debt also have a mental health condition, and 86% of survey respondents suffering with their mental health stated that this was worsened by their financial situation.
If you’re experiencing debt problems, you may be able to get temporary relief through the Breathing Space scheme. The Breathing Space scheme offers 60-day protection to those struggling with debt, allowing extra time to make repayment arrangements. You’ll need to speak to a debt advisor about applying for the Breathing Space scheme. You can search for a free debt advisor here. Please note that while applying for the Breathing Space scheme is free, some debt advisors may charge a fee for their services. However, you can get free, impartial advice from the following charities: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.
StepChange have published this article sharing practical steps you can take if you’re dealing with both debt and your mental health.
Check your benefits and grant entitlement
It’s a good idea to check your benefits entitlement. Even if you don’t think you’re eligible to receive any benefits, it’s always worth checking. You can do this using this free benefits calculator, provided by charity Turn2Us.
You can also use this grants search to see whether you could be entitled to any additional support.
Final words
We understand just how isolating poor mental health can feel, and while you’re probably fed up of hearing the same cliched lines, please remember that it really is true: you don’t have to face this alone.
Struggling with mental health is nothing to be ashamed of.
Reaching out and asking for help is the first, brave step to getting back to living the life you deserve. Once you’ve taken this step, it’s crucial to remain persistent when it comes to accessing the support you need. We understand that long waiting lists and potential costs can feel disheartening, but your health and happiness are invaluable.
You matter.
