How to see a psychiatrist in the UK

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialise in treating mental health conditions. Their training allows them to prescribe medication and provide talking therapies and treatments offered by other mental health professionals. They’ll typically have spent five or six years training as a doctor, followed by another six years of specialist training in psychiatry before becoming a consultant.

Within the NHS, psychiatrists typically work as part of a community mental health team (CMHT) alongside specialist nurses, occupational therapists and other support workers. Psychiatrists can work within a hospital, providing inpatient and outpatient treatment.

When to see a psychiatrist

Treatment for mental health conditions can take many forms. Psychiatrists can provide a broad range of treatments, but other mental health professionals, such as counsellors, can offer talking therapies.

As we’ve mentioned, psychiatrists can prescribe medication, enabling them to treat serious mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. However, they can also treat anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and phobias, among other conditions.

The decision to see a psychiatrist can depend on the type and level of support you need. It’s a good idea to speak with your GP to help you make an informed choice about your treatment.

What are your options if you're stuck on a waiting list?

Facing a long wait to see a specialist or to get tests and treatment? In this guide, we look at alternative steps to access treatment more quickly.

You can see a psychiatrist via the NHS or pay for private treatment. Both options offer access to care that can treat mental health conditions, improve your quality of life and give you tools to manage your mental health long term. Your psychiatrist should provide you with a personalised treatment plan and access to other mental health services as needed.

NHS care

Let’s consider the advantages and disadvantages of psychiatric treatment through the NHS.

Advantages of NHS care

The main advantage of mental health treatment via the NHS is that it’s free at the point of use. NHS CMHTs include various mental health professionals and other support staff, making it more straightforward to arrange multi-disciplinary care if you need it. 

For example, you might need inpatient treatment from a psychiatrist and follow-up care or support from an occupational therapist or social worker when you return home. The structure of NHS teams should, in theory, make this process more straightforward.

Disadvantages of NHS treatment

Long waiting times continue to be an issue within the NHS as a whole, and mental health services are no exception. Research by the British Medical Association (BMA) revealed that NHS mental health professionals are struggling with a lack of funding and trained staff in the face of increased demand, and difficulties in referring patients to other social care providers. 

These issues impact waiting times and the NHS’s ability to provide long-term support for people who need it, meaning you may have to wait to see a psychiatrist, but also to receive follow-up care. Longer waits can mean that mental health symptoms worsen, leading to a mental health crisis or the need for a longer course of treatment.

Private treatment

Let’s look at the pros and cons of opting for private treatment from a psychiatrist.

Advantages of private treatment

We’ve discussed the potential for long NHS waiting times. By contrast, paying for private treatment with a psychiatrist can provide quicker access to care. You might also decide to go private to access specialist treatment that isn’t currently available via the NHS, seek a second opinion or simply to find appointments that better fit your work and other commitments, such as evenings or weekends.

You can choose which psychiatrist treats you, whether you have private or NHS care, but private treatment can offer more flexibility.

Disadvantages of private care

The main disadvantage of private treatment is that it’s more expensive, especially if you need inpatient treatment or support from more than one mental health professional. For example, if your NHS psychiatrist recommends that you see another mental health professional or support worker, they can refer you. 

A private psychiatrist may be able to recommend someone based at their hospital, but you’ll need to get a separate quote for private care or contact your health insurance provider to claim. The costs can escalate quickly if you need long-term support. Alternatively, depending on your circumstances, you may need to see your GP to switch to the NHS or other social care.

If you experience a mental health crisis and need emergency treatment, your access to private treatment may vary depending on your health insurance cover or the services your provider offers.

If you decide to seek NHS mental health treatment, the process typically starts with your GP. We’ll outline the process for getting an NHS referral to see a psychiatrist. Still, it’s worth remembering that there are other treatment options available, which may provide valuable support or treatment while you wait to see a psychiatrist.

See your GP

As we’ve mentioned, you’ll usually need to see your GP to request a referral to an NHS psychiatrist. Discussing your mental health concerns with your GP lets them offer advice on the type of treatment you need and refer you to the most appropriate service. For example, you can self-refer for some services, or they may think you need to see another mental health professional for assessment to decide on the treatment you need. If you’re seeking help for a young person in your life, there’s a separate service for children and adolescents.

If you and your GP agree that you need a referral to a psychiatrist, your GP can also give you information on doctors with the right specialist skills so you can decide who you want to see. You may be able to book an appointment online, or your GP will write to the psychiatrist to ask them to send you an appointment.  

Your initial assessment

After your referral, you’ll receive an appointment for an initial assessment with your psychiatrist. The appointment letter should tell you who you’ll see and what to expect. 

At your first appointment, your psychiatrist will usually ask you general questions about your life, medical history and the symptoms you’re experiencing to understand how you think and what stresses you experience day-to-day. They’ll also do some basic physical checks, which can be vital if they need to prescribe medication. If you have letters or notes from other medical professionals, it’s a good idea to take them with you, as this can give your doctor valuable insights. If a relative has gone to the appointment with you, they may also ask them some questions.

At the end of your first appointment, your psychiatrist should explain the treatment they recommend. They may treat you themselves or refer you to other services.

Can I choose which psychiatrist I see?

The NHS Right to Choose service lets you decide which outpatient mental health team you want to see. There may be several specialist units in your area, allowing you to choose one that is close to home or offers the services you need. Your GP can explain your options and provide a shortlist of suitable providers for you to choose from.

You can switch providers if your initial choice can’t see you within NHS guideline timescales, and choose a private hospital in some circumstances. You can find out more about your right to choose here.

What if I need help with a mental health crisis?

If you experience a mental health crisis, you can get NHS support in several ways. The NHS 111 service can signpost you to the right service or book emergency appointments for you. You can also request an urgent appointment from your GP. The NHS website has information on other support and self-help resources, while the mental health charity Mind offers guidance on ways to keep yourself safe during a crisis. 

You can also call 999 if you’re in immediate danger or need help for someone else.

The process to access private treatment varies depending on your chosen provider and whether you have health insurance. You can select your psychiatrist and hospital based on the treatment they provide, any relevant specialisms and their location if you’d prefer to see a psychiatrist close to home or work. 

We’ll discuss the process of choosing the right psychiatrist in more detail shortly, but broadly speaking, you can search for a suitable provider online or ask your GP to recommend someone. Psychiatrists can work privately and in the NHS, so if you see your GP first and then decide to go private, you may be able to see the same doctor.

Using private medical insurance

If you have health insurance, you can use it to access mental health support or treatment, depending on your policy's cover. Core cover may include a fixed number of counselling or CBT sessions. It can provide other advice, such as a virtual GP service or a telephone helpline. 

You’ll typically need to pay a higher premium to add more mental health treatment to your private medical insurance policy. Doing this can give you access to inpatient and outpatient care from psychiatrists and other mental health specialists.

Each health insurance provider has a claims process you’ll need to follow. Some insurers request a GP referral from your NHS GP or their private GP service, while others let you self-refer for some types of treatment. Check the small print to discover what your policy covers and the claims process.

Your insurance may include a hospital list showing which hospitals and consultants your policy covers, and that will determine which consultants you can choose. Alternatively, your policy may have guided consultants, in which case you will choose from a shortlist of suitable options provided by your insurer.

Self-funded treatment

If you pay for private treatment out of your own pocket, you have free choice over the psychiatrist who treats you, as long as you have the funds to cover your treatment. You can find providers by searching for private hospitals or mental health services in your area, or for psychiatrists by name or specialism.

Consultants and hospitals differ in their approach. Some prefer to have a referral from your GP, while others let you book an appointment on their website or by phone. You can check the process when researching suitable psychiatrists.

You can choose your psychiatrist, whether you receive NHS or private treatment. However, the choice can be overwhelming even if you focus on doctors close to home. Checking your psychiatrist’s credentials and learning more about the quality of care they provide can help you make an informed choice. Here are six steps you can take to help you decide:

Online psychiatry services

Online psychiatry services can provide quick access to appointments with registered and qualified psychiatrists. Some provide their doctors with specialist training in delivering online care.

It’s worth considering these services if you’d prefer to access treatment from the comfort of your own home, either because it helps you relax and speak openly to your doctor or because you would struggle to travel to see a psychiatrist face-to-face. Online services are usually available during extended hours, meaning they can fit around work, plus you don’t have to factor in travelling time.

Private health insurance and mental health cover

The demand on mental health services

How much does it cost to see a private consultant?

Getting professional advice

We hope this guide has helped you to learn more about your treatment options should you or a family member need to see a psychiatrist for mental health support. myTribe’s guides aren’t a substitute for medical advice, so always see your GP or a mental health professional to discuss your treatment options. 

If you’d like to learn more about how health insurance can help you access private treatment, contact us for a comparison quote. We’ll connect you with a regulated broker for tailored advice.