Can I pay for private mental health care and how much does it cost?

Accepting help for your mental health is no longer a taboo subject. 

However, getting treatment on the NHS is not always easy and if you are looking for specialist treatment or talking therapies, there may be a long waiting list or you may want more intensive support than the NHS or charities can offer.

Around 1 in 4 people in England experience a mental health problem each year and many of those seek treatment.

You might want more immediate or intensive support than the NHS are able to offer. Maybe you don’t think that you’re mentally ill but your mental health is suffering due to something particular, such as stress in your work or personal life, relationship problems or you are feeling hopeless or trapped in your situation.

If you have private health insurance, you may be covered for treatment for your mental health. Bupa, for example, will cover a range of mental health conditions, from psychosis to addiction to Seasonal Affective Disorder.

How can I pay for private mental health care?

The cost of private mental health care varies widely. It depends on what treatment you get, how much and who provides it.

A few sessions with a newly-qualified, online counsellor may be very affordable, but more experienced and face-to-face counsellors could charge £100+ per session. Initial assessments or consultations generally cost around £150 – £400. Residential inpatient treatment for several weeks can cost upwards of £20,000.

If you have private health insurance, they may cover costs for you. You can of course pay from your own pocket, and some mental health care facilities and providers offer flexible payment plans to help you to manage the cost.

What types of private mental health care services are available?

Private rehab

Private rehabilitation enables people with addictions to withdraw from the substance or behaviour they misuse, explore why they use it and build skills to prepare them for a life without it. There are two types of rehab:

• Residential rehab is for people who need a medically assisted detox from their addiction in a safe and supportive environment. Residential rehab typically lasts between 1 and 12 weeks.
• Non-residential rehab is for people who need professional support to manage their addiction but do not need to or cannot attend residential rehab. Addiction to something like social media or sex is usually more suited to non-residential rehab than an addiction to drugs or alcohol, though those with substance issues can still receive medication to support their detox at home. Participants have a treatment programme and attend appointments and therapies, while continuing to live at home.

Both forms of rehab offer range of therapies, skills workshops and activities as part of the treatment programme. These can give you the tools to address the reasons behind your addiction, reduce the chance of relapse, and to get back on track if you do relapse. They can also treat accompanying mental health issues that are exacerbated by your addiction, such as depression or anxiety.

Cost of private rehab

Residential rehab is usually at least £1000 per week, with luxury facilities charging much more. Fees include the cost of your staying there, detox and any therapies and treatments you receive.

Non-residential rehab costs around £200 – £500 for an initial assessment, then between £80 and £300 for each follow-up appointment.

Private inpatient treatment 

Private inpatient treatment for mental health is for people who feel they need urgent or intensive treatment for a mental health condition.

While this is available on the NHS, private admission is generally voluntary, as opposed to being sectioned, which is when someone is forced to undergo treatment in hospital or a mental health treatment facility.

Cost of private inpatient treatment

As with rehab, inpatient treatment costs include the cost of staying there and your treatment programme.

While prices vary, you will likely be paying upwards of a £1000 a week.

Additional treatments that you receive while you are an inpatient may cost extra.

Private outpatient treatment

Private outpatient treatment is continuous support after, or instead of, an inpatient stay.

You can attend the same sessions you would as an inpatient, but without staying there overnight.

Sessions could include counselling, occupational therapy or other skills-based therapies to help your recovery.

Cost of private outpatient treatment

Outpatient treatment is generally cheaper than inpatient treatment. You will likely pay an initial assessment fee (£150 – £400), then anywhere from £50 to £300 for each session after that, depending on the treatment you receive and who provides it.

How much you pay in total can depend on the level of support you need. If you have intensive treatment, it will naturally cost more than one or two sessions a week, but it will still cost less than inpatient treatment.

Private counselling

Private counselling can help you to express and make sense of what you’re feeling with a professional. They can also teach you ways to manage and provide you with resources to help you. You can have private counselling in person, over the phone, via video chat and even via email.

You can find them through trusted websites such as Counselling Directory, as well as through third-party organisations that specialise in what you’re struggling with in particular. Examples include:

• Anxiety counselling (also available through Anxiety UK)
• Depression counselling
• Eating disorder counselling
• Bereavement counselling
• OCD counselling
• Addiction counselling
• Couples counselling/therapy
• Family counselling/therapy
• Love and relationship counselling (also available through Relate)

Cost of private counselling

Counselling generally costs around £40 – £50 per session (sessions are typically 50 – 60 minutes but can vary). Some counsellors do offer cheaper services, while highly experienced or specialist counsellors can charge £100 – £150 per session.

Private therapies

Private therapies help you to address the thoughts and behaviours that you find detrimental, how they affect you and your behaviour, and to develop skills and techniques to manage them. 

A few examples of therapies that may help you include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
• Mindfulness
• Exposure therapy
• Hypnotherapy
• Alternative and creative therapies

Cost of private therapies

Skills-based therapies usually cost between £50 and £100 per session. You might choose a programme that includes a certain number of sessions, in order to develop the skills that the therapy teaches.

Private lifestyle support

Lifestyle can have a big impact on your mental health. While improving your nutrition and getting enough exercise aren’t cures, they can certainly help to support your mental wellbeing. 

You may like to hire a nutritionist, dietician or personal trainer to help you to find lifestyle changes that work for you; some even specialise in mental health.

Cost of private lifestyle support

• Nutritionist: £50 – £70 per session
• Dietitian: £80 – £150 per session
• Personal trainer: £30 – £70 per session

Do I need a referral for private mental health care?

If you are thinking about getting private mental healthcare, it’s best to get a referral from your GP. You may be required to have one if you are paying using insurance. You can tell your GP that you are looking at private mental healthcare, and they can advise you on services you could access and give you a referral.

For some services, such as private counselling or therapies, you don’t usually need a referral.

For any medication, you will need a prescription.