How Much Does Private Art Therapy Cost for Children in the UK?

If your child needs therapeutic support and you are facing a long CAMHS wait, private art therapy may be a faster route to getting them the help they need. This guide explains what private art therapy costs in the UK and how to access funding where available.

Individual Session Fees

Private art therapy sessions for children typically cost between £60 and £130 per session, with each session lasting 50 to 60 minutes. Initial consultation or assessment sessions are often slightly longer and may cost between £80 and £150. Fees vary depending on the therapist’s experience, location, and the nature of the work.

Short-Term vs Long-Term Work

Art therapy is not a brief intervention. Most therapists work in blocks of ten sessions minimum, with a review at the end of each block. A short-term piece of work of ten to twelve sessions would typically cost between £600 and £1,500 in total. Longer-term work — which is common when the presenting difficulty involves trauma, loss, or complex developmental history — involves an ongoing commitment at the same weekly rate.

Some therapists offer a block booking discount for upfront payment of a series of sessions. It is worth asking whether this is available when you make initial enquiries.

Music Therapy and Dramatherapy

Music therapy and dramatherapy are priced similarly to art therapy — typically £60 to £130 per session. Dance movement therapy, which is a separate (and non-HCPC-regulated) discipline, is priced comparably. When contacting practitioners, confirm their exact qualifications and registration status, as fees should reflect the level of clinical training.

Insurance and EHCP Funding

Some private health insurance policies cover arts-based psychotherapy as part of a psychological therapies benefit. Check your policy carefully — the key terms to look for are “art psychotherapy”, “psychotherapy”, or “psychological therapies”. A GP referral may be required for preauthorisation.

For children with an EHCP, art therapy or creative arts therapy may be included as a provision under Section H (health) or Section F (education) of the plan if it is identified as a therapeutic need. If listed but not delivered, you are entitled to request that the local authority or NHS commissions an appropriate practitioner. A clinical report from a private art therapist can also support an EHCP application by evidencing the therapeutic need and the impact of the work to date.