How Much Does Private Family Therapy Cost in the UK?

If your family is struggling and you are considering private family therapy, this guide explains what to expect to pay, what the fees include, and how to access funding where available.

Session Fees

Private family therapy sessions are typically longer than individual therapy sessions — usually 60 to 90 minutes, to accommodate multiple family members and allow enough time for meaningful work. Fees generally range from £80 to £200 per session, depending on the therapist’s qualifications, experience, and location. Initial assessment sessions, which are often longer and more detailed, may be priced at the upper end of this range.

Number of Sessions

Family therapy tends to be shorter in duration than long-term individual therapy — many families complete a meaningful piece of work in six to twelve sessions. A short course of family therapy (eight sessions) would typically cost between £640 and £1,600 in total. Some families return for review sessions or booster work at key points, rather than committing to open-ended ongoing therapy.

Parents-Only Sessions

Some family therapists offer consultation sessions with parents alone — to discuss concerns, understand the family dynamics, and agree a plan before involving children. These are typically priced the same as family sessions and can be a useful and lower-cost starting point if you are unsure whether family therapy is the right fit.

Insurance Coverage

Private health insurance increasingly covers family therapy as part of a psychological therapies benefit. Key terms to look for in your policy include “family therapy”, “systemic therapy”, or “psychological therapies”. Most insurers require a GP referral for preauthorisation and will only cover practitioners on their approved panel — check both before booking. Some insurers have separate limits for family versus individual therapy sessions.

EHCP Funding

For families of children with an EHCP, family therapy may be included as a provision under the health section of the plan where it is identified as a therapeutic need relevant to the child’s educational functioning. If listed but not provided, you are entitled to request that the NHS or local authority makes it available. A clinical report from a private family therapist can also support an EHCP application by evidencing the family’s therapeutic needs and the recommended provision.