Our specialists
Priory employs and works with worldwide leading mental health professionals. To help you identify the most appropriate specialist for your patient, follow the link below where you can search by location and speciality.
Alternatively, you can send an open referral and we will work with the patient to assign a specialist to best meet their needs.
Frequently asked patient questions
In the following section Priory answers the most commonly asked questions about terminology and treatment.
What is psychiatry?
Psychiatry is the medical field concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of mental health conditions through the provision of therapy, prescription of medication, and risk management.
What does a consultant psychiatrist do?
Our consultant psychiatrists are medical doctors who have qualified in psychiatry and then undertaken further specialist training to become consultants. They are able to prescribe medication alongside the provision of therapy. Our psychiatrists are able to confirm a patient’s diagnosis, prescribe medication and manage any risk associated with the patient’s condition.
What is psychology?
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and behaviour, which includes many areas of specific study such as human development, sports, health, clinical, social behaviour and cognitive processes. Our psychologists will have gained a degree in psychology after which they will have undertaken work experience in relevant healthcare settings alongside further approved specialist training.
What does a clinical psychologist do?
Our clinical psychologists aim to reduce psychological distress by enhancing and promoting psychological wellbeing. They often work with people over a long period of time.
What is psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is a type of therapy used to treat emotional problems and mental health conditions. It involves talking to a trained therapist, either one-to-one, in couples or in a group.
What does a psychotherapist do?
Our psychotherapists are mental health professionals who have had further specialist training in psychotherapy. Psychotherapists help people to overcome stress, emotional and relationship problems or troublesome habits. There are many different approaches in psychotherapy which include psychoanalytic therapies, psychodynamic therapies, humanistic and integrative psychotherapies.
What does a therapist do?
Priory therapists are qualified in the field of mental health and specialise in various disciplines to support patients using various types of therapeutic treatment including cognitive behavioural therapies (CBT), cognitive analytic therapy (CAT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), mindfulness, and arts and play therapies.
What does a counselling psychologist do?
Our counselling psychologists understand diagnosis and the medical context to mental health problems and work collaboratively with patients to explore their own unique psychological experience, helping to empower their recovery.
Our counselling psychologists understand diagnosis and the medical context to mental health problems and work collaboratively with patients to explore their own unique psychological experience, helping to empower their recovery.
Payment and medical insurance - the process
Priory is an approved provider for all of the UK’s leading private medical insurers. Most outpatient therapy services are covered as standard by the majority of insurers, so many of your patients may be able to access treatment at no additional cost. Insurers may also cover day care and inpatient residential treatment.
Self-pay options
Priory offers personalised and accessibly-priced treatment packages for individuals who are looking to self-pay for treatment.
Therapy costs range from £109-£132 per hour at our wellbeing centres and patients can pay directly for treatment.
Before beginning any treatment programme we always outline the recommended therapy approach, the proposed number of treatment sessions and the costs of the package of support. As the treatment we offer is tailored according to need; the costs of each package of support can vary.
Private medical insurance
If you have established that your patient requires mental health support, it is worth asking if they have private medical insurance at this point, as patients may have personal policies or be covered through their workplace. Many people don’t realise that their insurance covers treatment for mental health conditions, and it could help them access private treatment, even if they are unable to access treatment on a self-pay basis.
Patients should check their levels of cover with their insurer prior to commencing treatment.
What is the process?
If your patient has private medical insurance, a GP referral may be required before undergoing treatment. Please pass the referral onto your patient who can then liaise directly with their insurer.
When your patient books with Priory, we will request their insurance policy details so that pre-authorisation can be agreed with the insurance provider.
If you would prefer to refer your patient to a specific specialist or have any questions, please inform us when referring your patient.
Private medical insurance
We are a registered and approved provider for all of the UK's leading private medical insurers. The services that we offer at Priory can be funded through private medical insurance. This includes:
- Mental health treatment
- Addiction treatment
- Eating disorder treatment
All clients will have access to our highly skilled and accredited clinicians, many of whom are published experts in their fields of treatment. Whatever your requirements, we are committed to working with you to get your life back on track.