Allianz CBT and EMDR Therapist in London and Online

How Allianz pre-authorisation works

Allianz is explicit that where your Table of Benefits requires pre-authorisation, the form must be submitted before treatment begins. Allianz reserves the right to decline a claim or apply a penalty where that process is not followed, which makes this the single most important step to get right.

Once you have chosen a therapist, Allianz validates them, approves the treatment and issues an authorisation code. An initial block of sessions is approved, with a report from the therapist requested before further sessions are considered. Twelve is a commonly cited initial figure, but your Table of Benefits is what governs your policy.

• Check whether your Table of Benefits requires pre-authorisation
• Allow several working days for the form to be processed
• Ask how many sessions the initial authorisation covers
• Where pre-authorisation is not required, keep invoices and claim the cost back

International and expatriate policies

Allianz Care insures a large number of people living outside their home country, and that group is a good fit for how this practice works. Sessions run in English or Spanish, and online appointments mean the therapy does not have to restart every time you move.

If you hold an international policy and are living in London, or you are a British or Spanish speaker abroad, the practical questions are usually about territorial scope and currency rather than about the therapy itself. Allianz can confirm whether your area of cover includes treatment delivered from the UK.

Why brief therapy makes your cover go further

Most private policies authorise a block of sessions and then ask the therapist for a report before approving any more. That structure suits how I work anyway. My training is in brief, focused models: Solution-Focused Brief Therapy, CBT, Brief Strategic Therapy, EMDR and Single Session Therapy.

The aim is not to fill the sessions your policy allows. It is to make the earliest ones count, so that you leave with something usable whether or not you come back. Some people get what they came for in one or two appointments. Others use the full authorised block. Both are normal outcomes, and neither is treated as a failure.

In practice this means a policy authorising a short initial block is rarely a problem. If more work is genuinely needed, I write the review report your insurer asks for.

If you would rather not involve your insurer

You do not have to use your policy. Some people prefer not to, because a claim creates a record with their insurer, because the excess is close to the cost of a session anyway, or because they want to keep the work entirely separate from anything an employer scheme can see.

Paying directly is straightforward and needs no authorisation, no referral letter and no diagnosis. You can see current fees on the pricing page, and a free introductory call is available either way.

Frequently asked questions about Allianz

Does Allianz cover therapy?

Most Allianz Care plans include mental health cover, but the level is set by your Table of Benefits, which you can find in the member portal. It also tells you whether pre-authorisation is required before treatment starts.

Do I need pre-authorisation from Allianz before starting?

Check your Table of Benefits. Where pre-authorisation is required, Allianz asks for the form before treatment begins and may decline a claim or apply a penalty if it is not submitted. Where it is not required, you can pay and claim the cost back with an invoice.

How many sessions does Allianz approve?

Allianz typically approves an initial block and then asks the therapist for a report before considering more. Twelve sessions is a figure often quoted, but yours depends on your policy, so confirm it when your authorisation is issued.

Can I use my Allianz policy for online therapy from abroad?

Often yes, but it depends on your policy's area of cover. Ask Allianz whether treatment delivered from the United Kingdom falls within your territorial scope before booking, since this is the most common reason an international claim is queried.

Are sessions available in Spanish under an Allianz policy?

Yes. Sessions run in English or Spanish at no difference in fee or process. This is often relevant for Allianz members living away from their home country who would rather do difficult work in their first language.