What to Expect from a Private Psychiatrist Appointment in the UK?

The Therapy Company offers private psychiatrist appointments and supportive, personalised care with a highly skilled and experienced team of consultant psychiatrists.

Booking a private psychiatrist appointment in the UK is a big step — and completely normal. Whether you want a faster assessment than the NHS wait time offers, a second opinion, specialist input about medication, or a thorough diagnostic review, private psychiatry is often used to get focused, personalised care. If this is your first time, here’s a friendly, no-jargon guide to what typically happens and how to make the most of it.

Why do people choose a private psychiatrist appointment in the UK?

There are many reasons people opt for private care: shorter waiting times, greater appointment flexibility (evenings or weekends in some clinics), usually longer initial consultations, and sometimes access to specialist assessments or multidisciplinary teams. Private does mean you pay, but many patients value the speed, continuity, and the option to choose a clinician who specialises in their particular need.

Before the Appointment: Practical preparation

A little prep makes the appointment far more useful. What to bring:

1. A list of current medications (dosages and any supplements).
2. Any previous psychiatric or psychological reports, hospital discharge letters, or therapy notes.
3. GP contact details (clinics usually ask permission to send a summary).
4. A short timeline of problems: when symptoms started, major life events, previous treatments and what helped/what didn’t.
5. If relevant, school reports, workplace assessments, or educational statements for adults or children.

Also, what do you want from this appointment? Faster diagnosis? Medication review? A therapy referral? Jot down two or three priorities — it makes the session focused and efficient.

The Reception and Admin: Quick, but important

On arrival (or at the start of a video call), there’s usually a brief administrative section. This covers ID confirmation, consent, confidentiality (and its limits), and immediate safety checks — for example, whether there are active suicidal thoughts or any urgent risks. It’s routine and there to protect you, not to alarm you. Most private psychiatrists will explain how they keep records, whether they send letters to your GP, and who will have access to those notes. If you’re concerned about privacy, ask early — clinicians are used to explaining this clearly.

The Clinical Interview: The core of the appointment

This is the substantive part. You can expect the psychiatrist to ask questions about:

1. Your current difficulties (what’s bothering you now, triggers, patterns).
2. How long have symptoms been present, and have you experienced similar problems earlier in life?
3. How long do you sleep?
4. What is your diet?
5. Did you feel fatigued during your daily routine?
6. Sleep, appetite, energy, concentration and daily functioning.
7. Do you use any substance (alcohol, recreational drugs, prescription misuse)?
8. Your medical history, including chronic conditions that may affect mental health.
9. Social factors: work, relationships, housing, and support.
10. Your previous psychiatric diagnoses, medications, hospital admissions, and therapy experiences.

Private psychiatrists commonly allow more time for this initial history than standard NHS appointments — often 45–90 minutes — which means more space to tell your story and ask questions.

The Mental State Examination (MSE)

You may hear the term mental state examination. It sounds formal, but in practice it’s straightforward: the psychiatrist observes and notes your appearance, mood, how you speak, attention and memory, thought patterns, and insight into your difficulties. It’s not a test to pass or fail; it helps clinicians form a current picture so they can make safe, sensible recommendations.

Possible Outcomes from the Appointment

After the clinician has taken history and completed the MSE, they’ll usually outline what they think is going on and suggest next steps. Typical outcomes include:

1. The psychiatrist may suggest monitoring and a follow-up appointment if nothing urgent is found.
2. A working diagnosis (for example, depression, anxiety, ADHD, bipolar, or psychosis) with clear reasons and recommended supports.
3. If medication is appropriate, the psychiatrist will explain options, likely benefits, possible side effects, and monitoring. They’ll also discuss whether the GP will share prescribing responsibilities (shared care).
4. The psychiatrist may refer you to CBT, psychotherapy, counselling, or community services (private or NHS).
5. Sometimes, neuropsychological testing, blood tests, or specialist input are recommended to rule out physical causes.
6. If there are safety concerns, they’ll make a clear safety/crisis plan with contacts and next steps.

Good psychiatrists involve you in decisions — they’ll discuss alternatives and check what you’re comfortable doing.

Costs, Follow-up and Communication with Your GP

Private fees vary across clinics. Typically, initial assessments cost more than follow-up medication checks. Make sure you confirm fees and any cancellation charges before booking. Many private psychiatrists will, with your consent, send a summary letter to your GP to ensure coordinated care; this helps with tests, shared prescribing and wider health management. If your plan includes medication, expect shorter follow-ups early on (2–4 weeks) to check side effects and response, then longer intervals if things are stable.

Virtual appointments vs In-person: What’s different

Telepsychiatry is now well established. Video calls are convenient and often clinically appropriate, but there are small differences:

1. You need a private, quiet space and good internet.
2. Non-verbal cues may be harder to read, so clinicians may ask more check-back questions.
3. Some physical examinations or urgent safety assessments may necessitate an in-person visit.
4. Technical issues can interrupt the flow — have a phone number to call as backup.

Most psychiatrists will offer a choice; if you prefer face-to-face for a first visit, say so.

Confidentiality and Limits to Confidentiality

Psychiatrists must keep your information confidential. Exceptions are limited: if there’s a serious risk of harm to you or another person, clinicians may need to share information with relevant services. They should explain this at the start and obtain consent for non-urgent sharing (for example, sending a letter to your GP). If you have special concerns — employment, legal, immigration — raise them early.

Safety and crisis planning

Part of a responsible assessment is ensuring you have a safety plan. If you disclose active suicidal thoughts, psychiatrists will work with you to create an immediate plan, which may include contacting crisis teams, involving your GP, or arranging urgent referrals. Private clinics will usually explain their out-of-hours arrangements and local emergency contacts.

Practical Tips to Make the Appointment Count

1. Be honest and concise: clinicians don’t need every detail at once; a clear timeline helps.
2. Bring evidence: old reports, medication lists and test results are very helpful.
3. Prioritise: say early what outcome you want from the session.
4. Take notes: you’ll often receive lots of information—jot down key points.
5. Ask about next steps: clarify who will do what and when you’ll be reviewed.
6. Consider a companion: someone you trust can provide collateral history and help recall details (with your permission).

Common FAQs

How long will I wait for results or a report?
Private psychiatrists usually provide a written summary after the appointment; timeframes vary, but many send letters to GPs within 1–2 weeks.

Will the NHS accept a private diagnosis?
It depends—some NHS services accept private reports; others will require their own assessment. Check with the relevant NHS service first if you need public funding, benefits or statutory adjustments.

Can I get medication straight away?
Yes, but it depends on the clinical picture and safety considerations. Expect an explanation of side effects and monitoring.

A private psychiatrist appointment in the UK is a professional, collaborative conversation designed to clarify problems and agree on practical steps. Whether you seek a one-off opinion, a medication review, or a diagnosis, being prepared, honest, and clear about your goals helps you get the most from the time. Don’t hesitate to ask for a second opinion if anything from the appointment feels rushed or unclear. Your mental healthcare is about partnership, not paperwork.

The Therapy Company offer a private psychiatrist to help those who feel a little anxious when talking about their emotions. You can directly speak with one of our psychiatrists on a brief courtesy call before booking an appointment. So, you can book a schedule if you feel comfortable talking to them. Our dedicated team will help you find a psychiatrist based on your needs and preferences. Ask any questions or express any concerns you might have outside of an appointment. We help you find the best possible treatment or medications to treat your condition with the guidance and support of your psychiatrist.

Call us if you or your loved ones need help.