How Much Does Family Therapy Cost in the UK?

Private therapy sessions in the UK range from £40 to over £100, depending on where you live, according to the UK Council for Psychotherapy. Family therapy sessions can be longer than individual ones, because more people need to be heard. My own fees are £70 for an individual session (50 minutes), £95 for a couples session (75 minutes) and £120 for a family session (90 minutes). The initial consultation (15–20 minutes) is free.

What private therapy costs in the UK

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) says sessions "range from £40 to over £100, depending on where you live" (UKCP, How to access therapy in the UK).
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) says "more than half of the therapist listings on our directory advertise costs of between £40 to £60 per session" (BACP, How to get therapy).

These figures are for therapy in general. Family therapy sessions can be longer — the Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy says a session "usually lasts between 50 and 90 minutes, depending on who is involved" (AFSP, What is family and systemic therapy?). So when you compare fees, ask how long each session is.

My fees

Individual session (50 minutes): £70
Couples session (75 minutes): £95
Family session (90 minutes): £120
Initial consultation (15–20 minutes): free, with no obligation
I keep a small number of reduced-fee places for people on lower incomes. Please ask.

I ask for at least 48 hours' notice to cancel or rearrange; sessions cancelled with less notice may be charged in full. Payment is by bank transfer, at or before each session. My fees are also on my fees page.

What affects the cost

BACP says the cost of seeing a private therapist "can vary greatly and may depend on a range of factors, including the therapist's location, experience and type of therapy". For family therapy, it also depends on:

how long each session is — 50 minutes for one person, 75 minutes for a couple and 90 minutes for a family;
how often you meet — I usually see families every two to four weeks;
how many sessions you have (below).

How many sessions will we need?

Every family is different, so there's no set number of sessions.

Can you get family therapy on the NHS?

Sometimes. You can ask your GP, and children and young people may be seen through child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The Association for Family and Systemic Psychotherapy says that if you can access family therapy on the NHS, "you're likely to be offered around 6 sessions".

Waiting times vary a great deal by area. For children and young people's mental health services in England, the Children's Commissioner found that in 2023–24 children waited six days for treatment on average in one area (Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland) and 103 days in another (Hampshire and Isle of Wight), and that 320,000 children were still waiting for treatment to begin at the end of March 2024 (Children's Commissioner, 18 May 2025). For therapy through the NHS, UKCP says you'll usually wait "from four to up to 18 weeks, or even longer". In England, adults (and 16- and 17-year-olds in some areas) can also refer themselves to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression.

Lower-cost options

BACP says "many therapists offer a free introductory session and reduced rates for those on low incomes".
Peer-support groups can sit alongside therapy. Al-Anon is for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else's drinking, and has a meeting finder.

Can I use health insurance?

I'm not currently registered with health insurance providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the first conversation free?

Yes. It's a brief, no-obligation conversation about what's happening and whether working together could help. I usually reply within 24 hours, and can typically offer a free initial consultation within a week.

Do you offer reduced fees?

Yes. I keep a small number of reduced-fee places for people on lower incomes. Please ask.

What if cost is a worry?

Please mention it when you get in touch. I'll always be honest about what I can offer.