What to do if you can't afford therapy in the UK?
Written by the clinical team at The Lyceum Clinic. Clinically reviewed by Sanah Younis, Clinical Director, BABCP-accredited (no. 1000792). Published 28 October 2026. Last reviewed 28 October 2026.
Check what you already have first. Many employers provide private medical insurance or an assistance programme that covers a course of therapy, and health cash plans reimburse a set amount per year for a small monthly premium. Then ask about a shorter, focused course; most of the problems we treat do not need an open-ended one.
Employer cover
This is the route we see working most often right now. Many people have cover through work and have never used it, or do not know that it includes talking therapy. Ask your HR team or check the policy document before assuming you are paying in full.
Cash plans and pay-and-claim insurance
Health cash plans from providers such as Simplyhealth or Westfield reimburse a fixed amount per year towards therapy for a low monthly cost. Some private medical insurers cover accredited CBT on a pay-and-claim basis. Our insurance page explains which model your policy is likely to be.
For more detail, read about how CBT works.
The shorter course
A focused 6 to 12 session course, with heavy commitment to the homework, is what most people actually need, and it costs a fraction of meandering for years. A good assessment will tell you plainly which you need. At The Lyceum we start with the exit plan, so you know the likely length and cost before you commit.
Bridging
Structured self-help with a recognised book is a reasonable bridge while you sort out cover, and it means you arrive knowing the language. A free initial consultation costs nothing and will tell you whether a short course is likely to be enough.
What we tell people at the end
My door is always open for a top-up if you hit a life transition, but you have the tools now. Trust the work we did. A course that ends properly does not need to be repeated every year.