NHS and Private Therapy: What’s the Difference and What’s Right for You?

1 in 4 people in the UK experience mental health challenges but therapy isn’t a one-size-fits-all. The kind of support you choose can make a real difference.

Finding the right therapist and the right style of therapy is a key step toward better mental well-being. While NHS therapy is widely available, many people also turn to private therapy options. In fact, around 1 in 8 people in the UK have used private therapy. So, what are the key differences between private therapy and therapy offered through the NHS

One of the biggest differences between private therapy and NHS therapy is how you get access. You might be wondering, “How do I actually get therapy?”. With the NHS, the usual first step is to chat with your GP or reach out to local support groups – they can guide you toward NHS talking therapies. In many areas, you can also refer yourself directly. But waiting times can be long, often around 20 weeks. While that might not sound like forever, if you’re struggling with serious mental health issues, those weeks can feel like a lifetime. The stress of waiting for support can sometimes even make things worse.

Private therapy works a bit differently. Usually, you do your own research to find a therapist or practice that feels like the right fit for you, sometimes through recommendations from friends or family. Then, you simply get in touch and book an initial assessment. Private practices typically don’t have long waiting lists, so you can usually get started within a week or two. So, one of the main differences between NHS and private therapy is how you access them and how quickly you can actually begin your sessions.

Another key difference between NHS and private therapy is cost – an important factor for many people. NHS therapy is free, which makes it accessible to everyone regardless of their financial situation. On the other hand, private therapy requires payment, with session fees usually ranging from around £30 to £100, depending on the therapist’s experience and the type of therapy.

For some, this cost can be a barrier, but many private therapists offer reduced rates based on your financial situation, for example, if you are claiming benefits, so it’s always worth asking. Despite the cost, people choose private therapy because of the faster access, so while price is definitely a key consideration, it’s also about finding the right balance between cost, quality, and what works best for your mental health.

It’s important to find a therapy style that suits you, and both the NHS and private sectors offer different kinds of support. The NHS typically provides talking therapies, which, as the name suggests, involve speaking with a trained therapist about the difficulties you’re facing. Together, you’ll explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviours to find practical ways to feel better. One common example is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), a structured, goal-oriented approach that helps you identify unhelpful thinking patterns and learn healthier coping strategies.

Private therapy offers a broader range of approaches, not all of which fall under traditional talking therapies. For example, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) uses guided eye movements to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional intensity. This is just one example of the wider scope available in the private sector, where you’re more likely to find specialised or alternative therapies tailored to your specific needs.

As you’ve seen, there’s a lot to think about when choosing between private therapy and NHS services. So, how do you decide what’s right for you?

That really comes down to your individual needs. Think about how urgent your situation is, the type of support you’d feel most comfortable with, and what you can afford financially. At the end of the day, the goal of therapy is to support your mental wellbeing, so the best choice is the one that feels right for you.