Private Anxiety Therapy in the UK
Evidence-based anxiety therapy (CBT, ACT, EMDR where indicated) with BACP-, BABCP- or HCPC-registered therapists. Take a Seat matches you against symptom presentation, not just availability.
The short answer
A private anxiety therapy in the UK costs £70 to £160 through Take a Seat, with first session typically within 1 week. You choose the clinician yourself, in person or remote, pay them directly with no booking fee or commission, and no GP referral letter is needed to start.
- Typical cost
- £70 to £160, quoted by the clinician up front
- Typical wait
- First session typically within 1 week
- Referral needed
- No, you can self-refer
- Booking fee
- None. You pay the clinician directly
- Format
- In person or remote, across the UK
What a private anxiety therapy includes
- Initial 60-minute assessment and formulation
- Weekly 50-minute sessions
- Outcome tracking (GAD-7 / PHQ-9) at 6 and 12 weeks
- Coordination with your GP where medication is involved
Who it is for
- Generalised anxiety, panic, social anxiety, health anxiety
- Anyone who found brief NHS IAPT insufficient
- People wanting longer-term, formulation-based work
Cost, waiting times and how booking works
£70 to £160 depending on the clinician, the setting and how much follow up you need. The clinician quotes you directly and we add nothing on top.
First session typically within 1 week.
Most clinicians offer secure video appointments alongside clinic sessions, so availability rather than postcode decides how quickly you are seen.
Self refer and book directly. Clinicians write to your GP with your consent where it helps your ongoing care.
Anxiety Therapy by city
Local pages cover fees, waiting times and the clinicians who work in each city.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a private anxiety therapy cost in the UK?
- Expect £70 to £160, quoted up front by the clinician before you commit. Take a Seat adds no booking fee and takes no commission, so the price you see is the clinician's own rate.
- How long is the wait for a private anxiety therapy?
- First session typically within 1 week.
- Can I have a anxiety therapy remotely, or do I need to be near a clinic?
- Many clinicians deliver this service by secure video, so you are not limited to your nearest city. Where an in person element is needed, each clinician's profile states the cities and clinics they cover.
- Do I need a GP referral?
- No. You can self refer and book directly with a clinician. Where it helps your ongoing care, clinicians will write to your GP with your consent.
- How are clinicians checked?
- We use our own experience in this field to recommend independent clinicians we think are right for what you need. Every profile names the person, their stated qualifications and where they practise, and enquiries go straight to the clinician themselves.
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Written by Take a Seat Editorial. Checked against the published sources below, and not against a clinician's individual review. Last checked 8 August 2026.
Sources: NICE CG113, generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder, BACP register of counsellors and psychotherapists
This page is general information about privately available services in the UK, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Fees, availability and waiting times are set by each clinician and confirmed with you before you commit. If you need urgent help, see crisis support.