Mental health services in London
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How mental health care is organised in London
London's mental health landscape spans four Integrated Care Boards and several of the country's most established NHS mental health trusts. From community talking therapies to specialist services, the choice can feel overwhelming - which is partly the point of being able to compare options side by side. Whether you're looking for free NHS support, considering Right to Choose, or weighing up a private provider, this page brings the picture together for you.
London's Integrated Care Boards
NHS mental health trusts in London
London is home to several major NHS mental health trusts providing community, specialist and hospital-based mental health care across the capital.
Good to know about mental health
Not always. NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) accepts self-referrals for common issues like anxiety and depression — no GP visit needed. For specialist NHS care (CMHT, psychiatry) you usually do need a GP referral. Private therapists and psychiatrists accept patients directly.
Not always. NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT) accepts self-referrals for common issues like anxiety and depression — no GP visit needed. For specialist NHS care (CMHT, psychiatry) you usually do need a GP referral. Private therapists and psychiatrists accept patients directly.
NHS support is free but waiting lists for talking therapies and specialist services can be long, and session counts are often capped. Private support typically starts within days or weeks, lets you choose your therapist, and isn't limited by NHS commissioning rules — but you pay per session.
It depends on what you're looking for: counsellors and psychotherapists help with talking-based support; clinical psychologists handle complex or trauma-related work; psychiatrists are medical doctors who can prescribe medication. Check each provider's regulator (BACP, UKCP, BPS, GMC) on their profile.
Yes — UK therapists are bound by their regulator's ethics framework, which requires confidentiality except in specific safeguarding situations (risk of serious harm to you or others). Your therapist will explain the limits at your first session.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental health support: call NHS 111 and select option 2 for mental health, call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7), or text SHOUT to 85258. This site is for finding routine support, not crisis care.
Frequently asked questions about mental health in London
Most people start by speaking to their GP, who can refer you on. For common conditions like anxiety and depression, you can usually self-refer directly to NHS Talking Therapies in your borough - you don't need to see your GP first.
Right to Choose is a legal right under the NHS Constitution that lets you choose your mental health provider when being referred. It applies in London, but your GP still needs to agree the referral is clinically appropriate, and some London ICBs have introduced activity plans for ADHD and autism assessments in 2025/26 which may affect waiting times with specific providers.
Waiting times vary significantly by provider, condition, and service type. We show current waiting time data where providers publish it - see individual provider listings for the latest.
Yes. Most private therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists in London accept self-referrals. Costs and waiting times vary - you can filter by both on the search results.
Yes, all NHS mental health services are free at the point of use.
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication. A psychologist holds a doctorate in psychology and provides assessment and therapy but doesn't prescribe. A therapist (counsellor, psychotherapist) provides talking therapy - qualifications and approaches vary.