Vitality CBT and EMDR Therapist in London and Online
CBT, EMDR and talking therapy with an HCPC-registered psychologist recognised by Vitality, in London or online across the UK.
How to get your sessions authorised
- Contact Vitality to open a claimUse the Vitality member app or phone line and ask about Talking Therapies. Most members can start this without a GP appointment first.
- Complete the assessment and get authorisedVitality typically runs a short assessment to understand what you need, then authorises an initial block of sessions and issues a claim number.
- Send the claim number and bookPass the authorisation details to me and we can arrange your first appointment in London or online.
Vitality's Talking Therapies route is built for direct member access, so a GP referral is usually not required.
Vitality: how to make a claim (opens in a new tab)How Vitality Talking Therapies works
Vitality routes mental health claims through a dedicated Talking Therapies service rather than treating them like a standard consultant referral. Members contact Vitality, complete a brief assessment of what they are dealing with, and are then authorised for a block of sessions.
An initial authorisation of around eight sessions is common on Vitality plans, though the number depends on your policy and on the assessment. Treat any figure you read online as a guide and confirm yours when you call.
- Ask how many sessions your assessment has authorised
- Ask what excess applies to a mental health claim
- Ask whether the authorisation covers online appointments
- Ask what Vitality needs from me if further sessions are required
Vitality rewards and your therapy
Vitality's plans are built around engagement with your own health, and members often already track activity and wellbeing through the programme. Talking therapy sits alongside that rather than replacing it.
It is worth saying plainly that therapy is not a wellbeing perk and is not measured in points. What happens in the room is confidential clinical work, and nothing about the content of your sessions is shared with Vitality beyond the administrative reporting a claim requires.
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 Vitality
- Does Vitality cover therapy?
- Most Vitality health plans include mental health cover through their Talking Therapies route. The number of sessions and the excess depend on your policy, so contact Vitality to open a claim and they will confirm what is authorised.
- Do I need a GP referral for Vitality therapy?
- Usually not. Vitality's Talking Therapies service is designed for members to access directly through the app or phone line, which avoids waiting for a GP appointment simply to obtain a letter.
- How many sessions does Vitality authorise?
- An initial block of around eight sessions is common, but this varies by policy and by the assessment Vitality carries out. Ask for the exact number when your claim is authorised rather than assuming.
- Can Vitality sessions happen online?
- Yes, online appointments are normally covered on the same basis as in-person ones, and I work with clients throughout the UK remotely. Confirm it when your claim is authorised.
- What does Vitality get told about my sessions?
- Only what a claim administratively requires, such as confirmation that appointments took place and, where further sessions are requested, a clinical summary supporting that request. The content of what you discuss is confidential.
Not sure what your policy covers?
Book a free introductory call. We can talk through what you are dealing with, and I can tell you what your insurer is likely to ask for. It costs nothing and does not touch your policy.
If you have already spoken to your insurer, or we have worked together before, you can skip the call and book directly.
Other providers I am recognised by
AXA Health
Self-referral through AXA's mental health line, no GP letter needed for most policies.
Aviva
Mental health pathway with direct access on most policies, authorisation confirmed by phone or online.
WPA
Pre-authorisation before the first session, often with a GP referral, then claims settled per appointment.
Allianz
Pre-authorisation form before treatment, with international and expatriate policies well suited to online work.
IPRS Health
Usually arranged through your employer or occupational health rather than a personal policy.
