Talking therapies are treatments which involve meeting with a trained professional to talk about your thoughts, feelings, behaviours, and experiences.
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Talking Therapies
Also known as: Psychotherapy, Counselling
Easy access
Call us today to book an appointment
Fast referral
Schedule an initial consultation within 2 weeks
What is it for?
To reduce psychological distress and improve overall well-being
Talking Therapies consultation at The London Clinic
There are many different types of evidence-based talking therapy, which generally include:
- Therapeutic alliance: the development of a trusting, open, and safe working relationship with your therapist.
- Structure: Meeting at mutually agreed intervals (e.g. weekly), for a set time (50 mins), for a certain length of time (short-term: 8-12 weeks; or longer-term).
- Confidentiality: the content of therapy sessions is protected and kept confidential (outside of certain rare circumstances e.g. safeguarding).
- Purpose: collaborative goal setting at the beginning of treatment with ongoing monitoring of progress by both patient and clinician.
- Tasks: mutual engagement in tasks that will help you overcome or cope with any difficulties and move towards goals.
We believe that tailoring treatment to each person and ensuring a good ‘fit’ with our clinicians leads to the best outcomes for our patients. To help determine this, we are happy to offer a brief phone consultation free of charge. We offer virtual appointments if appropriate and required.
*Please note that we do not currently offer specialised treatment for eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, couples’ therapy, or substance misuse. Please contact your GP for an appropriate referral if you would like to begin treatment for any of these conditions.
What are the benefits of psychotherapy and counselling?
Research shows that most people (about 75%) who receive psychotherapy experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. With the use of brain imaging techniques numerous studies have demonstrated changes in the brain after people with depression, panic disorder, PTSD and other conditions engaged in psychotherapy. In most cases the brain changes resulting from psychotherapy were similar to changes resulting from medication.
In broader terms, these are some of the benefits therapy may offer:
- Learning new coping skills and strengthening existing coping mechanisms
- Developing a better understanding of current difficulties and past experiences
- Increasing insight into long-term patterns
- Reducing anxiety and emotional distress
- Changing behaviours to be in line with values and general health goals
- Improving social and relational functioning
- Receiving non-judgemental feedback and engaging in perspective taking
- Exploring shame, grief, identity, and other difficult to talk about issues
We understand that life can be challenging, and sometimes it can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer evidence-based, tailored treatment that focuses on developing a trusting, safe working relationship with your therapist. Research shows that most people who receive psychotherapy experience symptom relief and are better able to function in their lives. Therapy can help you learn new coping skills, develop a better understanding of your current difficulties and past experiences, reduce anxiety and emotional distress, and improve your social and relational functioning. It’s a journey towards overall well-being, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.
If you’re not sure if Talking Therapies is right for you, don’t worry! We’re happy to offer a brief phone consultation free of charge. We want to ensure that you feel comfortable and confident in your treatment, and that it’s a good ‘fit’ with our clinicians.
You can also find out more about our Talking Therapy treatments below.
FAQs
No, you do not need to be referred by your GP to access our services. However, your PMI provider may require a referral in order to use your policy for treatment.
refer a patient: If you are a healthcare professional referring a patient, please fill in the form via the button below.
The length of treatment varies from person to person. Psychotherapy can be short or long term and the number of sessions you have will depend on a number of unique factors. Some people come to therapy with a specific problem while others may want to explore more complex issues which evolve over time.
We recommend at least six sessions before reassessing your needs. Our clinicians will discuss their approaches to treatment and how many sessions you may require based on your circumstances.
Yes, our therapists are ethically and legally bound to keep all sessions confidential. Privacy and safety are the cornerstones of the therapeutic relationship and our clinicians will review exceptions to confidentiality with you at your first session.
Every session will be different as it is personalised to you and what is bringing you to therapy.
During an initial session, your therapist will ask you questions – to get to know you, understand what is bringing you to therapy, identify what you want to get out of treatment, and how you can work together towards these goals. This is also an opportunity for you to ask any questions you may have and evaluate how you feel about working with this therapist.
Follow-up sessions offer a safe space for you to explore and discuss any issues that are impacting your wellbeing. During these sessions you and your therapist may practice different skills, examine difficult feelings and experiences, review progress, and engage in problem solving.
There are no barriers within therapy; our team of experts are here to listen without judgement and to provide genuine care and guidance.
Our clinicians are available from Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm. If you need to schedule sessions outside of regular business hours please call us to discuss your request.
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
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4.86/5 from over 1,600 reviews on Doctify and over 4.5 on Google.
Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.