Late at night, after missing his third workday in two weeks, he made a discreet reservation. An hour and a half costs £565. Before dawn, the invoice arrived. It contained a report, a letter, and the reassuring but unambiguous assurance that you would be seen shortly.
Private psychiatry now provides timely support, which is something the public system frequently cannot provide for many people in the UK. The length of NHS waiting lists has caused months to seem like years. Decisions that were previously unimaginable have become feasible as a result of this delay. Because they are unable to wait, people pay.
| Appointment Type | Typical Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Initial Psychiatric Consultation | £350 – £565 |
| Follow-Up Appointment | £185 – £300 |
| Adult ADHD Diagnostic Assessment | £690 – £1,050 |
| ADHD & Autism Combined Assessment | £1,145 |
| Prescription Fee (Outside Consultation) | £25 – £45 |
| Medication Titration & Management | £395 – £485+ |
| Shared Care Agreement | Often Free (Subject to GP Approval) |
Although consultation fees differ, there is a clear pattern. The average cost of a first-time psychiatric evaluation is £350 to £565, though some may cost more. These sessions, which typically last an hour or longer, provide a thorough examination of the patient’s medical history, symptoms, and available treatments. It’s the beginning of a plan, not just a discussion.
When you take into account what it purchases—speed, concentration, and, for many, a sense of being heard—that price tag may seem high. Private clinics provide appointments in a matter of weeks, sometimes even days, in contrast to the overburdened NHS services. And that change in timing can have a significant impact on people who are tense.
The cost of follow-ups, which range from £185 to £300, is somewhat more affordable. Depending on the length or format of the session, some clinics modify these fees; virtual sessions might be a little less expensive. Some provide a lower level of follow-up, especially if no medication adjustments are required.
The need for ADHD evaluations has been a major factor in recent demand. Diagnoses have increased recently, particularly among adults who were misdiagnosed or misunderstood as children. The cost of a thorough evaluation can range from £690 to more than £1,000. This involves a number of steps, including time spent with a consultant psychiatrist, questionnaires, and structured interviews.
The combined route is less expensive than booking separately for those who need both an ADHD and an autism evaluation, but it still costs about £1,145. It’s an investment in identity as well as comprehension. I’ve heard from a number of people that it helped them reframe years of frustration.
Ongoing care is expensive, particularly for people starting medication. Titration, or gradually changing dosages in a safe manner, can cost more than £400. These meetings are frequently scheduled but are typically short. According to patients, they are like checkpoints on a convoluted road, each one providing stability and clarity.
When prescribed outside of appointments, the cost is the patient’s responsibility. For a repeat prescription, clinics typically charge between £25 and £45. This may not seem like much, but it adds up over time. To keep track of these little expenses, one patient maintained a spreadsheet, which they humorously called their “mental health budget.”
Insurance can assist, but only to a certain extent. Initial assessments are frequently covered by major providers like Bupa or AXA, but coverage seldom goes much beyond that. Patients still bear the uncovered portions, and prior authorization is necessary. One woman I talked to found out that her insurance company refused to pay for the summary report, citing it as “administrative.” Her employer needed the report in order to make changes to the workplace.
Lighter-touch screening instruments are offered by certain clinics. These psychological tests, which cost about £145, assist individuals in determining whether they would benefit from comprehensive evaluations. They are especially helpful for people who are apprehensive or who fear they are exaggerating their symptoms. Patients find it comforting that the initial fee is frequently subtracted if the entire procedure is followed.
Cancellation clauses—fees for missed or postponed appointments—are tucked away within the policy pages. The majority of clinics enforce them. Some demand 50%, while others demand the entire sum. One father informed me that he was still charged £245 even though he missed his daughter’s appointment due to a school emergency.
The term “shared care,” which sounds kind but has a lot of meaning, comes next. Ideally, a general practitioner (GP) agrees to take over prescribing after a private psychiatrist diagnoses and stabilizes a patient on medication. However, there is no guarantee of that cooperation. Regions have very different policies. Patients must continue to pay for prescription drugs and follow-ups on their own when general practitioners decline.
Some clinics try to ease the financial burden by providing free shared care. Although it still depends on NHS cooperation, it is a gesture. When that doesn’t happen, patients frequently feel torn between two systems—privately diagnosed but forced to deal with opposition from the public.
As I thought about this patchwork of affordability and accessibility, I couldn’t help but think of what a former coworker once said: “You pay for the calm.” It felt remarkably true.
The expenses are an additional factor for sleep problems. An in-person session at a clinic in central London could cost £695, whereas a virtual sleep assessment could cost £455. A course of sessions of CBT-i, an evidence-based treatment for insomnia, costs more than £1,200. For people who have exhausted all other options, that can feel incredibly powerful.
Clinics now provide a range of flexible payment options, including Klarna’s “Buy Now, Pay Later” options and monthly installments. Retail logic applied to mental health: some people find it comforting, while others find it uncomfortable. Nevertheless, the adaptability creates opportunities. It recognizes that the path to mental health is not only a medical one, but also a financial one.
The way private psychiatry functions has been subtly altered by technology. Midnight scheduling is possible with booking portals. Real-time availability trackers are available at certain clinics. Nowadays, a lot of patients see their psychiatrists for the first time via a screen, sometimes during lunch breaks in their cars.
The care rituals are evolving. Even though the expense cannot be disregarded, many patients say that the relief of finally moving forward is more valuable than the treatment itself.
The cost of private psychiatry isn’t the only question in that situation.
It’s the true cost of waiting.