[crazylife]

I have been seeing a T on the NHS which is great but it's way to short to get any real work done. I was wandering how much would a private T be? (Average).

Are you guys on NHS to?

[Perna]

In the United States it is around £75 an "hour" (usually 45-50 minutes).

http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/priva...-psychologist/

[Chopin99]

I'm in the USA also; my master's level T charges £64 of which I pay £45. (charges $100, I pay $72, insurance covers the rest). She usually sees me 55-60 minutes. I don't know much about the NHS, but if you could afford private it would probably be better considering there would be no limitations.

[SoupDragon]

I am in the UK - accredited psychotherapist will charge £40+, but you can get cheaper rates £25 approximately from a psychotherapist in training - if they are toward the end of their training they are going to have more experience and remember their work would be supervised by an accredited psychotherapist.

[crazylife]

Thanks i live on a small island so finding a private one is a nightmare and all the NHS offered me was 20 sessions and if it's not done then wait 6 months for another 20 sessions so it's a nightmare.

[SoupDragon]

Originally Posted by crazylife

Thanks i live on a small island so finding a private one is a nightmare and all the NHS offered me was 20 sessions and if it's not done then wait 6 months for another 20 sessions so it's a nightmare.

If you check out UKCP or BACP website (psychotherapy and counselling governing bodies) you can search for accredited therapists local to you.

http://www.psychotherapy.org.uk/

http://www.bacp.co.uk/

[CantExplain]

I've just checked the exchange rate, and it turns out I'm paying US$105 for fifty minutes.

My T has a loyal client base and no free slots, so I suppose she can charge what she likes.

A psychologist here in New Zealand in private practice would charge around $160 per hour. Well beyond the average wage earners ability for a weekly appointment.!!! It would be a long wait for therapy on the public mental health system, and even then, it would be limited sessions!!

[crazylife]

Yeah i think i'm going to give up on the system and go private as it's needed. Thanks guys.

[Orangeade]

I recently went private, despite being on a very low income, and it's the best thing I ever did. The ones I spoke to ranged from about £20 an hour to £60+ an hour, but most had sliding scales or would negotiate depending on the client's income. Some also charge less for appointments during working hours. I currently pay £40 an hour.

Two websites I found useful when looking (I can't post urls yet as I don't have 10 posts) were counselling-directory. org. uk and Itsgoodtotalk. co. uk

Good luck!

[skysblue]

I'm in US and I pay $80.00 per 50 minutes. I think that's a bit lower than many other areas of US but I live in an economically depressed rural area. At first I was disappointed that my insurance didn't cover therapy but now I'm glad. Although it's tough to come up with the money sometimes, I'm happy that there's not another party involved with my metal health needs. And, to a certain extent, I'm happy that I don't put my T through the hassle of filing paperwork on my behalf. She has an independent practice and I know what a pain it is to work with insurance companies and all of their 'insane' requirements.

[Perna]

Originally Posted by CantExplain

I've just checked the exchange rate, and it turns out I'm paying US$105 for fifty minutes.

Yes, I was just in London this Fall and all the prices seemed to be similar to what we were use to seeing here in the US but that was before the exchange rate

I unfortunately had no choice but to go private. Either that or wait years on a NHS waiting list. I found a therapist who does agree reducing prices with those on low income. I pay between £30-£37 for a 50 minute session. Her full price is near £45.

Many private therapists in the UK you can get a session for around £40-£45. The first time they meet you, they offer a free assessment session which lasts about an hour. They ask for your details, where you live etc... What has made you seek therapy. You get the idea.

Do you have a 'Mind' near you? I live in a big city so maybe that's why, but the local Mind has a list of accredited counsellors/therapists and what they charge, their therapeutic interests and contact details etc. When I was paying privately 3 years ago it was in the range of £25-60, but a lot did sliding scale.

Have you looked into employee assistance programs (assuming you work) as they can offer free/reduced counselling? Otherwise could you see if the NHS will let you see a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) - that's who I'm seeing at the moment for CBT, and it doesn't seem to be as time-limited as 'official' therapy.

Psychology services on the NHS are rubbish! There's simply too much demand. I've just had a 4 month wait to see a psychologist for an assessment appointment, to determine if I could go on the 18-month-long waiting list for therapy, but think she is going to turn me down She wants me to keep doing CBT with my CPN and then if that doesn't work go through the whole assessment/waiting period for psychology again. I'd rather go on the list and continue seeing my CPN. Then if CBT works, I'll come off the list; if not, I'm still on the list and don't have as long to wait to see the psychologist. However all they're focusing on is cutting the waiting list to meet their targets, not on what's best for patients.

Best of luck crazylife!

*Willow*

[mgran]

Go to the MIND website, they have cheaper rates for folks on benefits, low incomes. Though I must say, every time I've contacted them about this they fail to get back to me with the info... maybe I'm not ill or poor enough. But I do know folks for whom this has worked.