PTSD services

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.

Yes. NHS Talking Therapies accepts self-referrals for PTSD. They should offer trauma-focused CBT or EMDR, which are the NICE-recommended treatments. If your PTSD is complex or has not responded to initial treatment, your GP can refer you to a specialist trauma service.

PTSD typically develops after a single traumatic event (such as an accident, assault, or witnessing violence). Complex PTSD results from repeated or prolonged trauma, often in childhood, and includes additional difficulties with emotional regulation, self-identity, and relationships. Both respond to treatment, but complex PTSD may need a longer, phased therapeutic approach.

EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) is a structured therapy where you recall traumatic memories while following guided eye movements or other bilateral stimulation. It helps your brain process traumatic memories so they become less distressing. NICE recommends EMDR alongside trauma-focused CBT as a first-line treatment for PTSD.

NICE recommends 8 to 12 sessions of trauma-focused CBT or EMDR for PTSD. For complex PTSD, treatment is often longer and may include a stabilisation phase before processing the trauma directly. Your therapist will discuss a treatment plan with you based on your specific needs.

Look for therapists who specifically list PTSD, trauma-focused CBT, or EMDR as a specialism. EMDR therapists should be accredited through EMDR UK or EMDR Europe. CBT therapists should be accredited through BABCP. Find Care Compare shows provider specialisms so you can filter for trauma-specific services.

Some people recover from PTSD naturally in the weeks and months following a traumatic event. But if symptoms persist beyond a month and are affecting your daily life, evidence-based treatment significantly improves outcomes. Avoiding treatment can allow PTSD to become more entrenched over time.