Can I Use My Private Health Insurance for Counselling? A Step-by-Step Guide
A lot of people don’t realise that their private health insurance, whether it’s through work or a personal policy, may cover counselling or psychotherapy. If you’ve been thinking about getting support but the cost has felt like a barrier, it’s worth checking your policy before you assume it’s not an option.
I’m now a recognised Aviva provider, which means if you have Aviva health insurance, you may be able to access counselling sessions with me with your insurer covering the cost. I also offer online sessions, so you don’t need to be local to Banbury or Oxfordshire to work with me.
Here’s how the process works.
Step 1: Check your policy
Not all private health insurance includes mental health cover, and those that do can vary widely. The first thing to do is log into your member portal or call the member helpline and ask:
- Does my policy include mental health or counselling cover?
- Do I need a GP referral, or can I contact a therapist directly?
- Do I need pre-authorisation before I book?
- Is there a limit on the number of sessions covered?
- Do I need to use a recognised or approved therapist?
It’s a ten-minute call, and it’ll tell you everything you need to know. Policies differ, even within the same insurer, so it’s always worth asking your specific questions rather than assuming.
Step 2: Get your authorisation number
If your policy covers counselling, your insurer will usually ask you to obtain authorisation before your first session. Depending on your policy, this might involve a call to Aviva directly, or they may ask you to speak to your GP first. Either way, once authorisation is in place, you’ll be given a reference number. Keep hold of this, as you’ll need to pass it to your therapist before you start.
Step 3: Find a recognised therapist
This is where many people get stuck. Insurers will only cover sessions with therapists on their approved provider list; this is their way of ensuring the therapist meets a minimum standard of training and professional registration.
I’m a recognised Aviva provider, which means Aviva clients can work with me and claim through their policy. I’m based in Banbury, Oxfordshire, and I also offer online sessions, so wherever you are in the UK, we can work together if your policy allows it.
To check whether a therapist is Aviva-recognised, you can search via the Aviva member portal or ask their team directly.
Step 4: Book your first session
Once you have your authorisation number, it’s just a case of getting in touch. Let me know you’re using your Aviva insurance, share your reference and policy details, and I’ll handle the billing with the insurer directly. You shouldn’t need to pay up front. I invoice Aviva directly for sessions covered by your policy.
A few things worth knowing before you start
It’s the same therapy. Insurance-funded sessions are no different to private sessions. You’ll get the same approach, the same quality of work, and the same confidentiality. The only difference is where the invoice goes.
Sessions may be capped. Most insurers authorise a set number of sessions to begin with, often six to eight, and review from there. It’s worth factoring this in when thinking about what you’d like to work on.
You may have an annual excess. Check this when you call your insurer, so there are no surprises before your first session.
Online works just as well. If you’re not based in Banbury or Oxfordshire, or if in-person sessions don’t suit you, I offer secure online video sessions. These are fully covered by most insurance policies, just as face-to-face sessions are, but check this when you call to be sure.
