WPA CBT and EMDR Therapist in London and Online

How WPA handles talking therapy claims

WPA works differently from insurers that authorise a single large block. Its plans are often built around a personal health fund or a defined benefit limit, and claims are frequently settled per appointment against that limit rather than as one authorised course.

That structure rewards knowing your numbers before you start. Ask WPA what your mental health benefit limit is for the policy year and what proportion of each session fee they reimburse, because on some plans the member contributes a fixed share of every claim.

• Ask for your mental health benefit limit for the current policy year
• Ask what percentage of each session WPA reimburses
• Ask whether a GP referral is needed before authorisation
• Ask whether online appointments are treated the same as in-person

Why pre-authorisation matters more with WPA

With every insurer it is sensible to get authorisation first. With WPA it is close to essential, because plans built around benefit limits and shared contributions leave little room to correct a claim retrospectively.

The safest sequence is always the same: call WPA, get the authorisation, then book. A free introductory call with me costs nothing and does not touch your policy, so there is no need to rush the paperwork in order to talk to someone.

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 WPA

Does WPA cover therapy?

Most WPA plans include mental health cover, though it is often subject to a benefit limit for the policy year and sometimes to a shared contribution on each claim. Call WPA with your membership number to confirm the figures before booking.

Do I need a GP referral for WPA therapy?

More often than with other insurers, yes. Several WPA plans expect a GP referral before authorising talking therapy. WPA will confirm what your plan requires, and I can work with your GP on the documentation where a letter is needed.

Will WPA pay the full session fee?

Not always. Some WPA plans reimburse a set percentage of each claim, leaving the balance with you. Ask WPA for the reimbursement rate so you know the real cost per session before your first appointment.

Can I claim for online sessions with WPA?

Online appointments are generally claimable on the same basis as in-person ones. Confirm it when you get pre-authorisation, and I will invoice accordingly.

What happens when my WPA benefit limit is reached?

Sessions beyond the limit fall to you unless the policy renews. Because the therapy is brief and focused, the aim is to make the earliest sessions useful rather than to use up a limit, and I will tell you plainly when I think we have reached a natural stopping point.