NHS therapy vs private therapy: what’s the difference?
Psychologist at Leeds Anxiety Clinic
Published Wednesday, 17 September 2025
Everyone deserves access to high-quality healthcare. If you need support with your mental health, a good place to start might be Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service, which is an NHS service. However, some people choose private therapy. In this article, we will explore why.
Specialist knowledge
NHS services typically offer general counselling. The NHS does not have any specialist anxiety or OCD services in Leeds.
With private therapy, you can typically choose a specialist provider who will have in-depth knowledge of working with anxiety or OCD, making the therapy more likely to be effective.
Choice of therapist
NHS services typically run a single service and offer you the first available therapist. You may be transferred to a different therapist if staff change or if you move between low and high-intensity support.
With private therapy, you typically have more choice. You can review different therapy providers beforehand and choose the one that best suits you. We think Leeds Anxiety Clinic is an excellent choice, but you are the expert in you, and it is up to you to make that decision.
No session limits
NHS services typically offer a limited number of sessions, for example, 4-6 sessions for clients they classify as low-intensity and 8-12 sessions for those they classify as high-intensity. After this, your therapy is likely to end.
With private therapy, these session limits typically do not exist, and so you can continue until your therapy is complete. Private therapy does have a financial cost, though, so it is important to acknowledge this as a potentially limiting factor.
Quicker access to therapy
NHS services typically have long waiting lists. It can sometimes take over a year to get access to one-to-one therapy, or you may have to go through self-help options or group classes before you can access one-to-one therapy.
With private therapy, you can typically access one-to-one therapy with minimal or no waiting, allowing you to get access to high-quality care much faster.
Convenient dates and times
NHS services typically provide you with few choices of appointment times, often during the working day. If you turn down these appointments, you may be placed back on the waiting list.
With private therapy, you typically have more options. You will typically have a choice of days, and some therapists may have evening or weekend appointments available.
Types of therapy
NHS services are typically structured around a stepped-care model that involves offering self-help CBT, group therapy, and one-to-one CBT. CBT can often be effective, but these programmes can sometimes be highly structured and not always adapted to an individual's needs.
With private therapy, there is more flexibility in the approach used. Although we often do use elements from CBT, our therapists are trained in multiple approaches and draw on a wide range of experience.
Confidentiality
NHS services increasingly aim to offer joined-up care where other staff members may have access to your records. This can be useful at times, but it also may concern some people.
With private therapy, you typically have more control over your records. For example, these would not normally be shared with your GP unless you specifically request it.
Conclusion
The NHS provides a very valuable service and offers some advantages over private therapy. It is free at the point of access and provides urgent care when someone is in crisis.
For individuals who want greater flexibility, the ability to choose their therapist, and access to a wider range of approaches without long waiting times, private therapy can be a more effective option. It allows you to work at your own pace and continue until you feel your goals have been met.