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

If you are looking for a play therapist for your child and wondering what it will cost, you are not alone. Cost is one of the first questions parents ask — particularly those who have already spent months trying to access CAMHS support without success. This guide gives you straightforward answers.

What Is the Average Cost of Private Play Therapy in the UK?

Private play therapy sessions in the UK typically cost between £60 and £120 per session. Most sessions run for 50 minutes and are held weekly. The variation in price reflects several factors: the therapist’s location, their level of experience, their specific qualifications, and whether they work independently or through a clinic or agency.

In London and the South East, it is common to see fees at the upper end of this range or above. In smaller towns and more rural areas, fees tend to be lower. Online play therapy — which some practitioners now offer — can also be slightly less expensive, though it is worth checking whether online sessions are suitable for your child’s age and presenting needs before choosing this option.

Do Play Therapists Charge for an Initial Consultation?

Many play therapists offer a free initial phone or video consultation — usually 15 to 30 minutes — where you can explain your child’s situation and ask whether they can help. This costs nothing and gives you an opportunity to assess whether the therapist feels like a good fit before committing to a full session.

The first formal appointment is usually a parent consultation without the child present. Some therapists include this in their standard session fee; others charge a reduced rate for it. It is worth confirming this when you make initial contact.

How Many Sessions Will My Child Need, and What Will the Total Cost Be?

This is difficult to predict at the outset — every child is different, and play therapy is not a fixed-length programme. Most therapists work to an initial contract of six to twelve sessions, with a review at the end of that block to assess progress and decide whether to continue.

At £80 per session (a mid-range figure), a twelve-session block would cost £960. Some children benefit from longer-term work — particularly where there is developmental trauma, a neurodivergent profile, or ongoing difficult circumstances — which could extend the cost further. Your therapist should be transparent about this during reviews, and you should never feel pressured to continue without a clear therapeutic rationale.

Are There Any Lower-Cost or Subsidised Options?

Yes — though they take more searching to find. Some play therapists working within charitable organisations, school-based settings, or community mental health projects offer sessions on a sliding scale based on family income. It is always worth asking whether a therapist offers reduced fees before assuming the full rate applies.

Organisations such as Place2Be, the NSPCC, and some children’s charities commission play therapy in schools and community settings, often at no cost to families. Availability varies significantly by area. Your GP or local CAMHS team may also be able to signpost you to funded options in your area, even if statutory services have long waiting lists.

Will My Health Insurance Cover Play Therapy?

Some private health insurance policies cover play therapy and child counselling, but this is not universal. Policies vary enormously between providers. Before assuming cover is excluded, check your policy documents or call your insurer directly. Some insurers will cover sessions with a BACP-accredited or UKCP-registered therapist but not with those who hold different qualifications, so it is worth verifying which credentials the policy requires.

If your insurer agrees to cover sessions, they will typically require a GP referral or a diagnosis code. Ask your GP whether they can support this process.

Can I Use an EHCP Personal Budget to Fund Play Therapy?

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and therapeutic support has been named in Section F as a required provision, you may be entitled to use a personal budget to fund it. This means the local authority provides funding that you can use to commission a play therapist of your choice, rather than them arranging it directly.

If therapy is not yet named in your child’s EHCP, it may be possible to request that it is included during an annual review or as part of an ongoing needs assessment. A progress report from the therapist can provide useful supporting evidence for this request.

Is the Cost Worth It?

That is a question only you can answer for your family. What we can say is that for many children who are struggling with anxiety, emotional dysregulation, trauma, or school avoidance, play therapy can reduce distress and improve daily functioning in ways that a waiting list cannot. The cost is significant, but so is the impact on a child who is not getting the support they need.

The SEND List makes it easy to find SEND-aware play therapists across the UK. Every listing is clearly described so you can see each therapist’s fees, specialisms, and approach before making contact.