What it is
Practitioner psychologists — including clinical and counselling psychologists — are trained to doctoral level and often work with more complex or long-standing difficulties. They may carry out formal assessment as well as therapy.
Who may find it useful
- Difficulties that have not improved with shorter-term counselling
- Situations where a formal psychological assessment has been suggested
- Neurodevelopmental or complex presentations needing specialist input
What it provides
- Psychological assessment and formulation
- Evidence-based treatment, often drawing on several models
- Reports and recommendations where appropriate
What it does not provide
- Prescriptions — psychiatrists are the medically qualified prescribers
- Crisis or out-of-hours care
- Any guarantee of a particular diagnosis or outcome
How to choose a provider in the UK
- In the UK, 'psychologist' titles such as clinical psychologist are protected — check HCPC registration.
- Ask whether the assessment you want is one they routinely carry out.
- Private assessment reports are not automatically accepted by every NHS service or school; ask first.
- If cost is a barrier, ask your GP what is available locally on the NHS.
Registration worth checking
Ask any practitioner directly and check the relevant public register yourself. A listing on Happy As Life is not proof of registration.
- HCPC — Health and Care Professions Council — statutory register for practitioner psychologists.
- BPS — British Psychological Society — membership and chartered status, separate from statutory registration.
Sensible questions to ask
- Are you registered with the HCPC, and under which protected title?
- What does the assessment involve, and how long does it take?
- What will I receive at the end — a report, a formulation, a treatment plan?
- What is the total cost, including any report writing?
UK providers listed with us
Checking the directory…
Continue exploring
Three related pages worth reading next.
Questions people ask
Find relevant support
Search approved UK listings for psychologist and filter by city, online availability and verification.
Explore support near you
Browse wellness businesses by UK city and area.
Do you provide psychology and mental health support in the UK?
Add a free profile so people searching here can find you, or claim a listing that already exists so you can keep the details accurate. Paid placement is advertising and is labelled as such — it is never an editorial endorsement.