Hypnotherapy Q&As

Is hypnotherapy covered by insurance?

Sometimes. It depends on your policy rather than on hypnotherapy itself, so the quickest answer comes from a short call to your insurer. Here is what to ask.

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The short answer

Cover for hypnotherapy in the UK varies a great deal from one policy to the next. Some private medical insurance policies include complementary therapies, some health cash plans pay back part of the cost of treatments like hypnotherapy, and some employers offer wellbeing budgets that can be used for it. Others don't cover it at all.

Because it depends so much on the detail, the best route is to check your own policy before you book. It usually takes one phone call or a look at your policy documents online.

Private medical insurance

Private medical insurance (PMI) is mainly designed to cover medical treatment for new, short-term conditions: consultations, tests, operations and hospital stays. Some policies add mental health cover or a complementary therapies option, and hypnotherapy may sit within those. Where it is included, the policy may set conditions, such as:

A referral from your GP or a specialist
A practitioner who is a member of a recognised professional body
A limit on the number of sessions or the amount paid each year
Pre-authorisation before your first session

Health cash plans

Health cash plans are different from PMI. You pay a monthly amount, and the plan pays back some or all of the cost of everyday healthcare, such as dental check-ups, eye tests and physiotherapy, up to a yearly limit. Some plans include a "complementary therapies" or "therapy" benefit that can cover hypnotherapy. You pay for the session first, then claim the money back with a receipt.

Through your employer

Many employers offer health and wellbeing support. It is worth checking for:

A company health insurance scheme, which may include mental health or complementary therapy cover
An employee assistance programme (EAP), which sometimes funds a short course of support
A wellbeing allowance or benefits budget you can spend on your own choice of support

Your HR team or benefits portal will tell you what is available.

What to ask your insurer

When you call, it helps to have these questions ready:

Does my policy cover hypnotherapy, or complementary therapies in general?
Is there a yearly limit, or a limit per session?
Do I need a referral from my GP first?
Does the practitioner need to be registered with a particular professional body?
Do I need authorisation before the first session?
What do I need to send with my claim?

Tim is a member of the General Hypnotherapy Register (GHR), with over 20 years' experience. If your insurer asks for a practitioner's professional membership, that is the one to give.

What hypnotherapy costs with Tim

If your policy doesn't cover it, or only covers part, it helps to know the cost upfront. With Tim, sessions are £150 an hour online and £195 an hour in person in Farringdon, and there is a saving when you book a course. Stop smoking is a single two-hour session. You start with a free consultation, so you know roughly how many sessions to expect before you spend anything. The full details, including the course price and what's included, are set out on hypnotherapy prices in London.

Can I get hypnotherapy on the NHS?

Hypnotherapy is not routinely offered on the NHS, and in practice most people pay privately or claim through a policy. For more on this, see NHS or private hypnotherapy.

Making a claim

If your policy does cover hypnotherapy, a little preparation keeps things simple:

Check whether you need authorisation before your first session, and note any reference number
Keep a record of each session date and what you paid
Tim gives you a receipt or invoice for each session, which you can send to your insurer
Submit claims promptly, as some policies have time limits

Paying for it yourself

Many people choose to pay privately, either because their policy doesn't cover it or because they would rather not wait for a referral. Booking directly means you can start when you are ready, choose your practitioner and keep everything between the two of you. Because hypnotherapy is a short course rather than open-ended therapy, you can plan the total cost from the outset.

Getting started

Whether you are claiming or paying yourself, the first step is the same: a free 15–30 minute consultation by phone or video, where you can talk about what you'd like to change and ask any practical questions. Sessions are in person at 9 Coldbath Square, Farringdon, or online.

Common questions

Does Bupa, AXA or Aviva cover hypnotherapy?

It depends on the individual policy rather than the insurer. Check your policy documents or call your insurer with the questions above.

Do I need a GP referral to claim for hypnotherapy?

Some policies require one and some don't. Ask your insurer before you book, so your claim goes through smoothly.

Can I use a health cash plan for hypnotherapy?

Many health cash plans include a therapy or complementary therapy benefit. You pay for the session, then claim back up to your plan's limit.

What if my insurance doesn't cover it?

Many people pay privately. You start with a free consultation, so you know the likely number of sessions and cost before you commit.

Can my employer pay for my sessions?

Some employers fund support through an employee assistance programme or a wellbeing budget. Your HR team can tell you what is available.