Two ways to pay
There are two main routes to talking therapy in the UK. The NHS route costs you nothing but usually means a wait. The private route costs money, and you choose who you see and when.
Some people use both. They see a private professional while they wait for an NHS place.
What a private session costs
Private therapists set their own fees. The BACP reports what most of the therapists it lists charge.
£40-£60
a session is what most therapists listed with the BACP charge
BACP, 2025 BACP: how to get therapy
Fees depend on the area, the professional's training and the length of the session.
The BACP also notes that many therapists offer a free first session and lower rates for people on low incomes. Ask before you book. It is a normal question.
Source: BACP: how to get therapy
Ways to pay less
- Ask about a reduced rate if your income is low.
- Ask whether sessions every two weeks would suit you.
- Look at local charities, such as a local Mind or a Relate centre, which may set fees by income.
- Check whether your employer offers free sessions through an employee assistance programme.
The NHS route in England
In England, NHS Talking Therapies is free and you can refer yourself online. You need to be 18 or over and registered with a GP, though some areas see younger teenagers. You do not need a diagnosis.
The NHS aims to give 75% of people a first appointment within six weeks. The latest annual figures cover 2025-26. They show 89% of people who finished treatment were seen within six weeks.
The first appointment is often an assessment, and the next wait can be longer. The average wait from the first to the second appointment was about 67 days in 2024-25.
Sources: NHS: talking therapies, NHS England: waiting standard, NHS England Digital: 2025-26, Commons Library: mental health
Elsewhere in the UK
| Nation | How to start | The standard |
|---|---|---|
| Scotland | Through your GP or local service | 90% start treatment within 18 weeks |
| Wales | Through your GP | An assessment within 28 days |
| Northern Ireland | Through your GP | Ask your GP about local waits |
Scotland's latest figures cover the three months to June 2026. In that time, 81% of people started treatment on time.
Wales publishes its figures each month. Its figures for September 2025 show that most assessments took place on time.
Sources: PHS: therapy waiting times, Welsh Government: Measure data
What paying your professional directly means
Using ViaCara costs you nothing. Your professional sets their own fee, and you agree it with them.
You pay them, not us. We do not take a cut of what you pay, and we do not sell session packages.
Some professionals charge for a late cancellation under their own terms. Ask about it before you book.
Thanks for your interest. We're not taking on new clients at the moment.
Find someone who fits your budget
We ask what matters to you, then find professionals who fit.
- I cannot afford much
- I do not want to wait months on the NHS
- How much does therapy cost?
- Do I pay you or the therapist?
References
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (2025). How to get therapy. bacp.co.uk
- National Health Service (2025). NHS Talking Therapies. nhs.uk
- NHS England (2025). Access and waiting time standard for NHS Talking Therapies. england.nhs.uk
- NHS England Digital (2026). NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression, annual report 2025-26. digital.nhs.uk
- House of Commons Library (2026). Mental health statistics: prevalence, services and funding in England. commonslibrary.parliament.uk
- Public Health Scotland (2026). Psychological therapies waiting times, quarter ending June 2026. publichealthscotland.scot
- Welsh Government (2025). Mental Health (Wales) Measure 2010: July to September 2025. gov.wales
