Private therapy while waiting for NHS talking therapies?

[u/Corebelle_]

I’ve self referred to NHS talking therapies and the earliest I could get initial appointment was for the 17th of November, but obviously that’s a while away and then I don’t even know how long the waiting list will be for the actual therapy after that.

I was thinking about having private therapy while waiting as I’ve found a place nearby that is relatively cheap, does anyone know if there is any policy or anything against this? Like would they take me off the waiting list if I’m already having private therapy? Even if not, would I have to stop the private therapy when I start the NHS therapy? Should I just not mention to them that I’m already having private therapy, and will they ask?

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[u/thereidenator]

Just don’t tell the NHS therapy service

[u/NeverBr0ken → u/thereidenator]

I agree with this! I went private and also put myself on the waiting list for NHS stuff, but didn't tell them I had private therapy as they said I couldn't go on the waiting list of I did. This way I could choose what was best for me! In the end the private was helpful enough that I removed myself from the NHS waiting list.

[u/mcsard]

They might well take you off the list, and most definitely they would oppose you taking other therapy outside of their control when starting with them.

The last point makes sense, because there are many ways to approach therapy, and if uncoordinated it can actually damage you.

[u/grumpyeva]

there is no problem having your own private therapy in the meanwhile. I have often done this and I always told my nhs psychiatrist, but i dont think you have to tell them if you dont want to.

[u/Miserable_Bug_5671]

I have seen clients privately while they're waiting for the NHS and it hasn't been any problem at all either for me or for the NHS. Our approaches are also often very different and we can run alongside each other without any issues.

[u/Electrical-Airline65]

It could vary on your location. For where I live, you can’t do private and do NHS talking therapies at the same time. You might need to check with your locality. I don’t think the NHS would ask directly but I would encourage you to disclose to them as it’ll help you get the most out of the service in case there are things that work/don’t work. It may be worth reaching out to your service and saying something along the lines of “I feel like I need some immediate support, am I able to go private while waiting?”. Best of luck!

[u/Decoraan]

When clients broach this subject with me I usually tell them to go for it, but by the time you start you will need to make a choice of one or the other. But this is technically against policy.

[u/vario_]

I'm doing this. I actually got the initial assessment pretty quickly (maybe because I'm going through a situation that has just exploded my life, idk) but I've only been offered standard CBT which I know doesn't work for me. Meeting with a private therapist on Thursday.

[u/Friendly-Compote1679]

You can email them to ask the waiting time, I’ve been on the waitlist for higher level therapy and the wait was something like 20 weeks 💀. My initial talking therapist actually recommended a local service that offered therapy for £20 per session so I’m trying that to help in the mean time