How Much Does Therapy Cost in Liverpool, UK? 2025 Guide
Therapy in Liverpool costs between £50 and £110 per session, with free NHS options available through local GPs for those seeking accessible care.
This guide provides a clear breakdown of therapy costs in Liverpool, UK, including typical fees for private practice, how to access free NHS services, local affordable care options, and private insurance coverage, giving you the essential information to navigate mental healthcare expenses in Merseyside.
Table of Contents | Jump Ahead
Average Session Costs by Provider Type
Who Can Provide Therapy in Liverpool?
Private Health Insurance Coverage
Quick Summary
- Average Private Cost: Private therapy sessions in Liverpool typically range from £50 to £110.
- NHS Services: Therapy is available for free through NHS Talking Therapies Liverpool, an IAPT service provided by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.
- Affordable Options: Key affordable resources include RR Counselling & Psychotherapy (£45 per session with concessionary rates) and the Liverpool Counselling Association, which offers discounts for unemployed people, pensioners, and students.
- Provider Differences: Psychiatrists (medical doctors) have the highest fees. Clinical psychologists and accredited counsellors offer competitive rates, while some counsellors provide more affordable entry points.
- Insurance: Many UK private health insurance policies (from providers like Bupa, AXA Health, and Aviva) include cover for mental health, which can be used for sessions with registered practitioners in Liverpool.
Average Session Costs by Provider Type
The cost of therapy in Liverpool varies depending on the provider's qualifications, experience, and the setting (private practice vs. charity). Unlike the NHS, where services are free at the point of use, private therapy involves paying for each session directly. Psychiatrists, who are medical doctors, command the highest fees, while some counsellors and psychotherapists offer significantly lower-cost options.
| Provider Type | Average Session Cost (Private) |
|---|---|
| :--- | :--- |
| Psychiatrist | £200 – £400+ |
| Clinical Psychologist | £110 – £150 |
| Accredited Counsellor/Psychotherapist | £80 – £110 |
| Counsellor/Psychotherapist | £45 – £85 |
| NHS Talking Therapies | Free |
Who Can Provide Therapy in Liverpool?
In the UK, the regulation of mental health practitioners is consistent across England. While some roles are legally regulated, others rely on voluntary professional bodies to ensure standards. It is important to check a therapist's credentials and accreditation.Types of Mental Health Professionals:
- Psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who has specialised in mental health. They can diagnose and treat complex mental health conditions and are the only practitioners who can prescribe medication. They are regulated by the General Medical Council (GMC).
- Practitioner Psychologist: This is a legally protected title. It includes Clinical Psychologists and Counselling Psychologists, who hold doctoral-level degrees. They are trained in assessment, diagnosis, and a range of psychotherapies. They are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- Counsellor and Psychotherapist: These titles are not legally protected in the UK, meaning anyone can use them. However, most qualified professionals are registered with a voluntary body that holds an accredited register, such as the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) or the UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP). These bodies ensure members meet high standards of training and ethical practice.
NHS vs. Private Therapy
NHS Talking Therapies
In Liverpool, the main route to free psychological therapy on the NHS is through NHS Talking Therapies Liverpool, an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) service run by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust.- Cost: Free.
- How to Access: You can refer yourself directly to the service, or be referred by your GP. You must be aged 16 or over and registered with a Liverpool GP.
- Waiting Times: While the service is free, you should expect to be on a waiting list. National waiting times can be several weeks to months.
Private Therapy
Going private offers faster access to therapy and a wider choice of therapists and therapeutic approaches.- Cost: You pay for each session yourself. In Liverpool, this is typically between £50 and £110 per session.
- How to Access: You can contact a private therapist or clinic directly to book an appointment.
- Waiting Times: You can often get an appointment within a week or two.
Private Health Insurance Coverage
Most private health insurance policies in the UK offer some level of cover for mental health treatment. This usually covers a specified number of therapy sessions for acute conditions.Top UK Health Insurers
Bupa:
- Outpatient mental health care (therapy sessions with psychologists, counsellors, or psychotherapists), plus potential inpatient or day-patient psychiatric care depending on the plan.
- Plans usually include annual outpatient limits for mental health benefits and separate limits for inpatient care; some plans include digital therapy options and access to a provider network.
- Many plans require use of in-network providers or a referral pathway; some plans allow direct access to certain specialists.
AXA Health:
- Psychological therapies and counselling as part of private medical insurance, with in-network provider access common across plans.
- Annual outpatient therapy limits and tiered coverage; higher tiers often include more extensive therapy benefits and some inpatient coverage.
- Usually requires referral to an in-network therapist; some plans support direct access within the network and may offer digital therapy options.
Vitality:
- Talking therapies frequently form a core benefit, sometimes bundled with wellness rewards.
- May include a set number of therapy sessions per year or a monetary allowance, with variations by plan level.
- Typically uses in-network providers; some plans offer digital/remote therapy options and incentives linked to health goals.
Aviva:
- Outpatient mental health treatment and therapy sessions are commonly included, with broader coverage on higher-tier plans.
- Outpatient limits, per-episode coverage, and annual caps can vary; inpatient/day-patient care is usually available on appropriate plans.
- Referral to in-network therapists is common; some plans allow direct access within the network.
WPA:
- Mental health benefits typically include outpatient therapy and some level of psychiatric care, depending on the policy.
- Plan options range in coverage level; outpatient caps and network terms differ by plan tier.
- Generally requires using in-network providers; referral pathways may apply for certain services.
The Exeter:
- Typically offers private medical insurance with outpatient mental health coverage in many plans.
- Varies by policy; higher-tier plans may include more comprehensive therapy access.
- Usually requires in-network referrals; check network lists.
It is important to check the specifics of your policy, as some may require a GP referral, and there may be limits on the number of sessions covered per year. Some Liverpool practices, like Healing Our Minds, are registered with providers such as AXA, Aviva, WPA, and The Exeter.
Affordable Care Options
Liverpool has several resources for affordable mental healthcare.Low-Cost Services:
- RR Counselling & Psychotherapy: Offers online and telephone sessions for £45, with concessionary rates available.
- Liverpool Counselling Association: Provides sessions from £50-£100, with discounts for unemployed people, pensioners, and students.
- Liverpool Psychotherapy + Counselling Centre: Offers more affordable fortnightly sessions, though specific fees are not listed online.
Crisis Support:
- NHS 111: For immediate crisis support, call 111 and select the mental health option. This service is available 24/7.
- Samaritans: A national 24/7 listening service for anyone in distress. Call 116 123 for free.
- Crisis Cafes: Mersey Care operates crisis cafes that provide out-of-hours support in a safe environment.
- Shout Crisis Text Line: Text 'SHOUT' to 85258 for 24/7 text-based support.
Tips to Reduce Therapy Costs
Provider Strategies
- Contact RR Counselling & Psychotherapy to inquire about their concessionary rates.
- Ask the Liverpool Counselling Association about their discounts for students, pensioners, or those who are unemployed.
Alternative Resources
- Access free self-help resources and guided programmes through the NHS website and charities like Mind.
- Check if your employer offers an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), which often includes a set number of free counselling sessions.
Therapy Cost Directory
- Nearby Cities: Manchester | Leeds | Glasgow | Sheffield
- Country: For a country-wide overview of therapy costs in the UK, see: How Much Does Therapy Cost in the UK
- Worldwide: For a global overview of therapy costs, see: Therapy Costs Worldwide
References
Healing Our Minds - FeesRR Counselling & Psychotherapy - Session Fees
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust - Talking Therapies Liverpool
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust - Help in a Crisis
Important:
TherapyRoute does not provide medical advice. All content is for informational purposes and cannot replace consulting a healthcare professional. If you face an emergency, please contact a local emergency service. For immediate emotional support, consider contacting a local helpline.
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