Medically reviewed by Prof. Ahmed El-Missiry, Consultant Psychiatrist (GMC 6032945) ·
Price is one of the first things people ask us about, and it is a fair question. Fees for a private psychiatrist in London vary widely. Within a few minutes’ walk of Harley Street, one practice might ask £250 for a first appointment and another nearly three times that, and the price list rarely explains the gap. This guide explains what you will actually pay, what pushes prices up, the costs people often don’t expect, and how to compare clinics properly before you book.
All the prices below were checked in November 2026. Clinics change their fees, so always confirm the current price with the clinic before you book.
Typical private psychiatrist fees in London (2026)
This table shows the usual range for each part of private psychiatric care. The bottom of each range is mostly online or smaller independent practices. The top is mostly large central London clinics and longer appointments.
| What you pay for | Typical London range | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| First consultation (assessment) | £250 – £700 | Length (45 to 90 minutes) and whether you see a consultant or a more junior doctor |
| Follow-up appointment | £150 – £350 | Length (20 to 50 minutes) and how often follow-ups are needed |
| Written report or letter | £0 – £300 | Some clinics include a GP letter and others charge for it |
| Private prescription fee | £20 – £75 | The medicine itself is paid for separately at the pharmacy |
| Specialist assessments (e.g. ADHD) | £370 – £2,000+ | Whether titration and follow-ups are included |
Ranges are based on the published fees of the London and UK providers listed in the references at the end of this article.
What London clinics actually charge
Ranges are useful, but real price lists are more useful. Here is what several well-known providers published at the time of writing:
| Provider | First consultation | Follow-up | Other fees seen |
|---|---|---|---|
| BritMed Healthcare (Harley St, Marylebone, Finsbury Park, online) | £250 (45 min) | £170 (30–40 min) | Repeat prescriptions from £25 · Psychometric assessment £300 |
| Cognacity (Welbeck St) | From £485 (1 hour) | From £265 (up to 30 min) | — |
| The Marylebone Psychiatry Clinic | £695 | — | Adult ADHD assessment £995 |
| Clinical Partners | — | £225 (30 min) · £310 (50 min) | £75 for a repeat prescription without an appointment |
| Psychiatry-UK (online) | — | £180 (30 min) | £25 private prescription fee |
A dash means we did not find a comparable published figure. Prices were taken from each provider’s own pages or the TreatCompare register in 2026 (see references).
Why do psychiatrist fees vary so much?
Paying more doesn’t guarantee better care. When you look closely at what each clinic offers, the difference usually comes down to these six things:
- Who you see. A consultant psychiatrist has completed full specialist training. Some services start you with a nurse, a specialty doctor or a psychologist, then bring in a consultant later. Ask who will be in the room at your first appointment.
- Appointment length. A 90-minute assessment costs more than a 45-minute one. A longer appointment can be the right choice for complicated histories. For many people, a focused 45-minute appointment plus a pre-appointment questionnaire covers the same ground.
- What comes with it. A detailed written report, a letter to your GP or psychometric testing can be included in the price or charged on top.
- Location. Consulting rooms on Harley Street and in Marylebone are expensive to rent, and some of that cost goes into the fee. Online appointments are often cheaper.
- The condition being assessed. ADHD, autism and complex second-opinion assessments are usually priced separately and cost more than a general assessment.
- Insurance-recognised rates. Some consultants set fees close to what major insurers will reimburse.
What is included in a BritMed first consultation?
- Who you see: Prof. Ahmed El-Missiry, Consultant Psychiatrist and Professor of Psychiatry, from your very first appointment
- Length: 45 minutes
- Price: £250 (follow-ups £170)
- Before you come: a short questionnaire, so the appointment time is spent on you rather than on forms
- You leave with: a diagnosis or working diagnosis and a clear explanation of your treatment options
- Where: Harley Street, Marylebone, Finsbury Park or secure video anywhere in the UK
- When: evening appointments, 18:00–22:00
- GP referral needed? No, unless you are claiming on insurance
- Payment: card, or three interest-free instalments with Klarna
The costs people forget to ask about
The fee for the first appointment is rarely the whole cost. Before you book anywhere, ask about each of these:
- Follow-ups. If you start medication, you will need at least one or two reviews to check how it is working and adjust the dose.
- Prescriptions. Most clinics charge a prescription fee, and then you pay the pharmacy for the medicine itself. For some medicines, such as ADHD stimulants, the pharmacy cost can be higher than you expect.
- Reports and letters. These can matter for work, university or your GP, and some clinics charge extra.
- Titration packages. For ADHD, finding the right dose usually takes several reviews, which are often sold as a separate package.
- Cancellation fees. Many clinics charge the full fee if you cancel less than 48 hours before your appointment.
Worked example: what might the first year cost?
Here is a common scenario. Someone with moderate depression has a first assessment, starts an antidepressant, and has three follow-up reviews during the year.
| Item | At BritMed | At a clinic charging £485 / £265 |
|---|---|---|
| First consultation | £250 | £485 |
| 3 follow-up reviews | £510 | £795 |
| Total clinic fees | £760 | £1,280 |
Pharmacy medication costs and any prescription fees come on top in both columns. Everyone’s treatment is different. Some people need fewer reviews and some need more.
Will private health insurance pay?
Many UK health insurance policies cover outpatient psychiatry, but cover differs a lot between policies. BritMed accepts patients insured with Aviva, AXA Health, Bupa, Vitality, WPA, Allianz Worldwide Care and Preferred Health Care.
To avoid an unexpected bill:
- Call your insurer before you book and ask whether your policy covers outpatient mental health.
- Ask about your outpatient limit and any excess you have to pay.
- Get a pre-authorisation number. Most insurers will also ask for a GP referral.
- Give the insurer the psychiatrist’s GMC number. Prof. El-Missiry’s is 6032945.
- Check whether follow-ups and prescriptions are covered, not just the first appointment.
Private or NHS: is paying worth it?
NHS psychiatric care is free, and for many people it is the right route, especially for severe or long-term illness that needs a whole community team. Access usually starts with your GP, and waiting times for specialist assessment vary by area.
Going private tends to make the most sense when:
- you want a consultant’s opinion quickly, often within days rather than months
- you need appointments outside work hours
- you want a second opinion on a diagnosis or treatment that isn’t working
- you want to see the same consultant at every appointment
Some people do both. They get a private assessment and then ask their GP to continue prescribing under a shared care arrangement. Your GP is not obliged to agree, so it is worth asking early.
Questions to ask any clinic before you pay
- Will I see a consultant psychiatrist at my first appointment? Can I see their GMC registration?
- How long is the appointment, and is a GP letter or report included?
- How much do follow-ups cost, and how many will I probably need?
- What is the prescription fee, and roughly what will the medicine cost at the pharmacy?
- Is the clinic registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC)?
- What happens if I need help between appointments?
Not sure whether you need a psychiatrist at all? Our guide to the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist explains who does what. Once treatment has started, how often you should see your psychiatrist covers what to expect from follow-ups.
If you need help now: private clinics are not emergency services. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and choose option 2. You can talk to Samaritans at any time, free, on 116 123.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a private psychiatrist in London in 2026?
Most London clinics charge between £250 and £700 for a first consultation with a consultant psychiatrist, and between £150 and £350 for a follow-up. At BritMed, the first 45-minute consultation is £250 and a follow-up is £170.
Is the price of medication included in a private psychiatrist appointment?
Usually not. You normally pay a prescription fee to the clinic and then pay the pharmacy separately for the medicine itself. Always ask for both figures before you book.
Do I need a GP referral to see a private psychiatrist?
Not if you are paying for yourself. You can book directly. If you are claiming on private health insurance, your insurer will usually ask for a GP referral and a pre-authorisation number first.
Will my health insurance pay for a private psychiatrist?
Many UK policies include outpatient mental health cover, but limits, excesses and exclusions vary. Call your insurer before booking, ask for pre-authorisation, and give them the psychiatrist’s GMC number.
Why are Harley Street psychiatrists more expensive?
Fees reflect the consultant’s seniority, appointment length, whether a written report is included, and the cost of central London consulting rooms. A higher fee does not automatically mean better care, so compare what each appointment includes.
Book a consultation
If you’d like a consultant’s opinion without a long wait, you can book a £250 first consultation with Prof. Ahmed El-Missiry at Harley Street, Marylebone, Finsbury Park or online. Appointments are usually available within days. You can also read more about our private psychiatrist service in London, our ADHD assessments and our repeat prescription service for existing patients.
References
- TreatCompare. Private Psychiatrist Cost UK 2026: Consultation & Follow-Up Prices.
- Cognacity. Frequently asked questions: fees.
- TreatCompare. The Marylebone Psychiatry Clinic Ltd: fees as printed, read 5 October 2026.
- Clinical Partners. Private appointment and medication information.
- Psychiatry-UK. Private services fees explained.
- NHS. Mental health services.
- General Medical Council. The medical register (check any doctor’s registration).
This article is general information. It is not a substitute for a personal medical assessment. Fees are correct as of November 2026 and may change.