Therapist in London

Psychologist in London: when to go, how to access care through insurance, and what it costs

Relocation is almost always harder than it looks from the outside. A new language, paperwork, work, children in a new school, loved ones far away — and suddenly you find you have no energy, your sleep is off, and there is no one to talk to. This is not weakness, and it is not something you just have to ’get used to’: most people go through this, especially in the first months and years. Below is a guide to how mental health support works in London, what it costs, and how to find a therapist you can speak to in your own language.

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When it makes sense to see a therapist

• Anxiety that won’t let up for weeks: about your status, finances, or the future — and it’s affecting your sleep or work.
• Loneliness: people are all around, yet there’s no one to really talk to.
• The relationship is under strain: relocation makes couples argue more — each person carries their own exhaustion.
• Your child is struggling: withdrawing, acting out, refusing to go to school, or falling ill frequently.
• Grief from a distance: losing or facing the serious illness of a loved one back home, when travelling there is not possible.
• Thoughts about whether to go back or stay keep going in circles and stop you from living in the present.

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How it works in London

Within the NHS, you can refer yourself to a psychologist without a GP: NHS Talking Therapies accepts self-referrals. The requirement is that you are registered with a GP in the relevant borough; the minimum age is 16 or 18, depending on the service. Support is available for anxiety, depression, and panic: CBT, counselling, EMDR, and self-help programmes. Free of charge, though waiting times may apply.

Prices. Private therapy in London runs roughly £60–150 per session: counsellors and psychotherapists typically charge £60–100, and clinical psychologists £100–230. Online sessions are generally 20–40% cheaper. In the UK, the titles ’counsellor’ and ’psychotherapist’ are not legally protected — always verify registration with BACP, UKCP, BPS, or HCPC.

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Russian-speaking psychologist

Even with strong local English, the things that matter most are often easier to talk about in your native language. SVOY features psychologists who themselves live abroad and have been through the experience of emigration; we have verified each practitioner’s credentials. Sessions are online, from anywhere in the world — you choose the time in your own time zone. The fee is set by the psychologist and is shown in their profile before you book. You can reschedule or cancel up to 24 hours before a session. Only the psychologist sees what you share during your sessions.

Find a psychologist → svoy.io/psiholog

Not sure who to choose — message us on WhatsApp at +34 653 88 19 96, briefly describe what’s on your mind, and we’ll point you to the right fit.

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If things are very hard right now

Samaritans — 116 123, 24/7 and free of charge; in England for acute situations — NHS 111; emergencies — 999.

Crisis helpline numbers for all countries are at svoy.io/sos.

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