How Much Does a Private Psychiatrist Cost in London? (2026 Guide)

By Prof. Ahmed El-Missiry, MD, FRCPsych, FAPA, Consultant Psychiatrist · GMC 6032945 · Medically reviewed October 2026

People often ring our clinic with the same opening line: “I’ve no idea what this is going to cost me.” That’s fair. Psychiatry fees in London are rarely published clearly, and the headline price often leaves out the follow-ups, letters and prescriptions that come after.

This guide sets out what you can realistically expect to pay in 2026, what drives the price up or down, and the questions worth asking before you book with anyone, including our own consultant psychiatrist service in London.

What are typical private psychiatrist fees in London in 2026?

Prices vary a lot between clinics, but most London fees fall within these ranges. They’re based on fees that London clinics publish on their own websites.

Appointment type	Typical London range	Prof. El-Missiry
Initial psychiatric assessment (45–60 min)	£350 – £800	£250 (45 min)
Follow-up consultation (30–40 min)	£200 – £280	£170
Child & adolescent assessment	Often £500+; specialist developmental assessments can exceed £1,200	£300 (60 min)
Repeat prescription without a consultation	Around £50 per prescription where offered	£25 (£75 for ADHD or addiction medication)
Letters and reports (employer, university, medico-legal)	From about £75 for a short letter; reports often £250+ per hour	Quoted before any work starts

The gap between the top and bottom of these ranges is not always about quality. A large part of it is rent, practice overheads and how long the appointment runs. We’ll come back to that.

One thing to note: ADHD assessments are usually priced separately. A proper adult ADHD assessment following the NICE NG87 guidelines takes longer and involves more structured tools than a general psychiatric assessment, so expect a different fee. Our private ADHD assessment page has the details.

What affects the cost of seeing a private psychiatrist?

Five things make most of the difference.

1. The psychiatrist’s seniority. A consultant psychiatrist on the GMC Specialist Register has completed full specialist training and usually holds MRCPsych. Some services use specialty doctors or nurse prescribers for routine reviews, which can be cheaper but means you won’t always see the same senior clinician. Ask who you’ll actually be seeing, at the first appointment and every one after.

2. Location. Harley Street and the wider Marylebone medical district carry some of the highest clinic rents in the country, and fees reflect that. The same consultant can cost noticeably less in an outer London or online clinic.

3. Appointment length. A 30-minute “assessment” and a 60-minute one are not the same product. For a first psychiatric assessment, 45 minutes is a sensible minimum. Anything shorter rarely leaves room for a full history, a risk assessment and a proper conversation about treatment.

4. What’s bundled in. Some clinics include a written report and treatment letter in the first fee. Others charge separately for each letter, each prescription and each phone call. A cheaper headline price can end up costing more.

5. Online or in person. Most London psychiatrists charge the same for video and face-to-face appointments, because the clinical time is identical. Online appointments mainly save you travel time and costs, not consultation fees. If you’re weighing the two, our guide on online vs in-person psychiatric assessment goes into more detail.

What’s included in a £250 initial assessment?

We price the first assessment so that it’s complete in itself. For £250 you get:

• A secure pre-assessment questionnaire before the appointment, so the consultation time goes on you, not on paperwork
• 45 minutes with Prof. El-Missiry, a consultant psychiatrist, not a junior doctor
• A full psychiatric history, including your symptoms, past treatment, physical health, medication and family history
• A diagnostic opinion where one can safely be made at the first visit
• A personalised treatment plan, which may include medication, a therapy recommendation, further tests, or reassurance that specialist treatment isn’t needed
• A medication review if you’re already taking something that isn’t working well
• A clinic letter summarising the assessment and plan, copied to your GP if you agree

You can be seen in person at any of our three London clinics, or by video from anywhere in the UK. You don’t need a GP referral.

• Marylebone: Nightingale Consulting Rooms, 11–19 Lisson Grove, London NW1 6SH
• Harley Street: 41 Harley Street, London W1G 8QH
• Finsbury Park: 146 SPACES, 17 City North Place, London N4 3FU

Why is it less than many Harley Street fees? Mainly because we keep overheads low and use a structured pre-assessment, which lets us run a thorough 45-minute appointment instead of a longer one that covers the same ground. The clinical standard is the same.

What hidden costs should you ask about?

The first fee is rarely the full picture. Before you book with any psychiatrist, ask about these:

Prescription fees. Some clinics charge an admin fee each time they issue a private prescription between appointments, and the amount varies widely. With us, once your treatment is established, a repeat prescription after a short clinical review costs £25 for most psychiatric medicines, or £75 for ADHD and addiction medication, with no need to book a full follow-up each time.

The medicine itself. A private prescription is dispensed at private prices, not the NHS prescription charge. For common antidepressants this is often modest; for some newer or branded drugs it can add up each month. Pharmacy prices also vary, so it’s worth ringing round.

Letters and reports. Fit notes, letters for an employer, university or DVLA, and medico-legal reports are usually charged separately.

Follow-up frequency. Starting or changing medication typically means a review within four to eight weeks, then less often once things settle. Budget for at least two or three follow-ups in the first six months.

Missed or late-cancelled appointments. Many London clinics charge some or all of the fee for no-shows and short-notice cancellations, typically when less than 24–48 hours’ notice is given. Always ask what the notice period is before you confirm a booking, and give as much notice as you can if your plans change.

Late payment. Some clinics invoice after the appointment and add a late fee if it isn’t settled in time. Ours is £25 on invoices unpaid after 30 days, so it’s worth paying on the day.

A good clinic will answer all of these openly before you pay anything.

Can private health insurance pay for a psychiatrist?

Often, yes, but check the small print first. Most UK private medical insurance from providers such as Bupa, AXA Health, Aviva and WPA can cover outpatient psychiatric consultations. A few points catch people out:

• Mental health cover may be an add-on. Not every policy includes it, and outpatient limits can be low.
• Acute vs chronic. Insurance is designed for acute conditions that can be treated and improve. Long-term conditions needing ongoing management may only be covered for a limited period.
• Pre-existing conditions are commonly excluded, especially on moratorium policies.
• Authorisation first. Most insurers need a GP referral and a pre-authorisation number before the first appointment, even though self-funding patients don’t need a referral.
• The psychiatrist must be recognised by your insurer. Prof. El-Missiry is recognised by Bupa (including Bupa Fee Assured), AXA Health, Aviva, Vitality, WPA, Allianz Worldwide Care and Healix. When you call your insurer for pre-authorisation, quote his GMC number: 6032945.

If you plan to claim, call your insurer first, get an authorisation code, then book. If you’d rather keep your mental health off your insurance records, self-funding is always an option.

Private vs NHS: is it worth the cost?

NHS psychiatric care is free at the point of use, and for many people it’s the right route. That includes anyone in crisis, who should contact NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health) or go to A&E rather than wait for any private appointment.

The trade-off is time. Routine referrals to community mental health teams in London can take many weeks or months, depending on your borough and how your referral is prioritised. A private appointment can usually be arranged within days.

Private care tends to make the most sense when:

• your symptoms are affecting work, study or relationships now, and waiting would make that worse
• you want a second opinion on a diagnosis or medication
• you’d like to choose your psychiatrist and see the same person at every appointment
• you’ve been on a waiting list for a long time with no date in sight

We’ve written a fuller comparison in private psychiatrist vs NHS psychiatrist, and a guide to the signs it may be time to see a psychiatrist.

How can you keep the cost down?

A few practical steps make a real difference over a year of treatment:

1. Bring your records. GP notes, discharge letters and a list of past medication save time in the first appointment.
2. Use video for follow-ups. Once your treatment is stable, follow-ups by video save travel time and cost.
3. Ask about GP shared care. Once you’re on a stable dose, many GPs will agree to take over prescribing under a shared care arrangement, so you pay NHS prescription charges instead of private prices. GPs don’t have to agree, so ask your surgery early.
4. Don’t over-book. A good psychiatrist will tell you when you need fewer appointments, not more.
5. Check your insurance before your first visit, not after.

Frequently asked questions

Is the first appointment the most expensive?

Usually, yes. The initial assessment is longer and covers your full history, diagnosis and treatment plan. Follow-ups are shorter and cost less. With us, it’s £250 for the first appointment and £170 for follow-ups.

Do online psychiatry appointments cost less?

Not usually. Most London psychiatrists, including us, charge the same for video and in-person appointments because the consultation time is the same. You do save on travel.

Do I pay for prescriptions separately?

The medicine itself is paid for at the pharmacy at private prices. Prescriptions issued during an appointment are part of the consultation. Repeat prescriptions between appointments, after a short clinical review, are £25, or £75 for ADHD and addiction medication.

Can I pay in instalments?

Yes. Interest-free instalments are available through Klarna, and we also take card and cash. If cost is a real barrier, ask our team about the sliding fee scale for patients without adequate insurance.

Is there a cancellation fee?

Most private clinics charge for missed appointments or very late cancellations. If you need to cancel or rearrange, contact us as early as possible by phone or WhatsApp; the team will confirm the terms that apply to your booking.

About the author

Prof. Ahmed El-Missiry is a consultant psychiatrist with 30 years’ experience in general adult and addiction psychiatry. He trained at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and King’s College London, became a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2004 and was elected Fellow in 2020. He is also a Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and a Professor of Psychiatry at a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre.

He works as an inpatient consultant at Nightingale Hospital, has published more than 45 peer-reviewed papers, and sees patients in English and Arabic. Patients rate him 4.81 out of 5 across 34 verified reviews on Doctify. GMC number: 6032945.

Fees correct as of October 2026. If you are in crisis or worried about your safety, call NHS 111 (option 2), Samaritans on 116 123, or 999.