How Much Does Child Therapy Cost in the UK?

If you are considering private therapy for your child, cost is likely to be one of your first questions. This post aims to give you a clear and honest picture of what private child therapy typically costs in the UK, what affects the price, and whether there are any ways to reduce the cost.

What Does Private Child Therapy Cost?

The cost of private child therapy in the UK varies depending on the type of therapy, the therapist's experience and qualifications, and where they are based. As a general guide, CBT sessions typically cost between £60 and £120 per session, with most experienced and accredited therapists charging in the region of £80 to £100. EMDR sessions tend to be slightly more expensive, reflecting the longer session length and additional training, and typically cost between £80 and £130.

At Sulis Therapies, CBT sessions cost £85 and last 50 to 60 minutes. EMDR sessions cost £100 and last 90 minutes.

What Affects the Cost?

Several factors influence the cost of private child therapy.

Qualifications and Accreditation

Therapists with higher levels of training and accreditation, such as BABCP accreditation for CBT, typically charge more. BABCP accreditation is a rigorous professional standard requiring therapists to meet specific criteria around qualifications, supervised clinical practice and ongoing professional development. It is widely regarded as the benchmark for CBT practitioners in the UK and is a reliable indicator of quality.

Experience

More experienced therapists, particularly those with specialist experience in working with children and young people, typically charge more than those who are newly qualified.

Online vs In-Person

Online therapy is often slightly less expensive than in-person therapy, as it removes the therapist's overhead costs associated with maintaining a physical premises.

How Many Sessions Will My Child Need?

The total cost of a course of therapy depends not just on the cost per session but on the number of sessions needed. This varies significantly depending on the individual and the nature of their difficulties. A typical course of CBT for a child or young person involves between eight and twenty sessions, though some young people need fewer and others more. EMDR can sometimes produce significant results in fewer sessions, particularly where the difficulties are linked to a specific event.



Following an initial assessment, your therapist will be able to give you a clearer indication of the likely number of sessions needed.

Does Private Health Insurance Cover Child Therapy?

Some private health insurance policies cover CBT and EMDR, either in full or in part. It is worth checking your policy carefully before assuming you need to pay out of pocket. Key things to check include whether your policy covers mental health treatment, whether there are any exclusions for pre-existing conditions, and whether you need a GP referral before accessing cover.



If you are covered, your insurer will typically have a list of approved therapists. It is worth checking whether the therapist you are considering is on that list before proceeding.

Is Private Therapy Worth the Cost?

This is a question only you can answer, but it is worth considering the cost of private therapy in the context of the alternative. For many families, the alternative to private therapy is waiting twelve months or more for CAMHS support, during which time their child's difficulties may worsen and the impact on their daily life, schooling and relationships may increase. The cost of a course of private therapy, while significant, is often considerably less than the long-term cost of leaving difficulties unaddressed.

At Sulis Therapies

At Sulis Therapies, we offer specialist private CBT and EMDR therapy for children and young people up to the age of 26, delivered online across the UK. We offer a free initial consultation to discuss your child's needs and find out how we can help, with no obligation to proceed.