UK guide
How to Get Therapy Without Leaving Home (UK)
You can get therapy without leaving home in the UK through online therapy platforms that offer video, chat, phone, or avatar-based sessions with qualified therapists. MySafeTherapy is a UK platform that provides all four formats with BACP/UKCP/HCPC registered clinicians, plus AI-assisted self-help tools between sessions. Therapy is paid per session from £50, with no monthly contract; the optional self-help subscription is £14.99/month. Alternatives include BetterHelp, Talkspace, NHS Talking Therapies (via GP referral), and Ieso for typed CBT.
Key points
- Video therapy is the most common at-home format — closest to in-person.
- Chat and messaging therapy suit people who find talking difficult.
- Avatar-based therapy (offered by MySafeTherapy) lets you meet a therapist without showing your face.
- The NHS offers free online CBT via referral, but waiting lists can be long.
- Private platforms give faster access — typically within days rather than weeks.
Ways to get therapy at home, compared
| Option | Typical cost | Typical wait | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video sessions (private) | £50-£200 per session | Days | Closest to in-person; most presentations |
| Chat / messaging therapy | £40-£90 per session or weekly plan | Days | People who find speaking aloud hard |
| Phone therapy | £45-£120 per session | Days | Poor connection, or camera discomfort |
| Avatar sessions (MySafeTherapy) | From £50 per session | Days | Anonymity — you never show your face |
| NHS Talking Therapies | Free | Weeks to months | Mild to moderate anxiety and depression |
| AI self-help tools | Free, or £14.99/month | Immediate | Between sessions, or while you decide |
Ways to get therapy from home in the UK
- Video sessions — closest to in-person therapy, works over Zoom-style calls.
- Chat / messaging therapy — asynchronous or live text with a therapist.
- Phone therapy — for people without reliable internet or camera comfort.
- Avatar-based therapy — meet your therapist as an avatar for full anonymity (MySafeTherapy is the UK's first).
- AI-assisted self-help — journaling, mood tracking, and reflection tools between sessions.
- NHS Talking Therapies — free online CBT via GP referral (waiting list applies).
What you need to start therapy from home
- A quiet, private room where you won't be overheard.
- A stable internet connection (video needs ~2 Mbps up/down).
- A smartphone, tablet, or laptop with a working microphone.
- Headphones for privacy and better audio.
- A method of payment (or an NHS referral if going the public route).
- Optional: a notebook or journaling app for reflections between sessions.
How MySafeTherapy works
Book a free 15-minute intro call with a UK-registered therapist, then book with the therapist whose fee and approach suit you (from £50 per session; the optional self-help subscription is £14.99/month and takes £10 off every session). Attend sessions by video, chat, phone, or avatar. Between sessions, use Navi (AI journaling), Emotional Weather (mood tracking), and guided journeys. Change therapist anytime, no charge.