Fees & practicalities
Practical information
Knowing what something costs, how it works and what you are committing to should not require a string of emails. Here is the practical information we would want to know ourselves.
Where we work
Based online and across the North West
We are based in different parts of the North West. Appointments can be offered online, so you do not need to live near the psychologist you work with. In-person availability varies by psychologist and location.
Our fees
Straightforward pricing
There are no therapy packages to buy and no requirement to commit to a fixed number of sessions. We will always be clear about fees before any paid work begins.
After referral
15-minute introductory call
A brief call following referral to clarify what you are looking for, answer initial questions and consider whether Asteria may be a suitable fit.
Free
Initial appointment
90-minute session
A longer first session to understand what is bringing you to therapy, your wider context and what you hope the work may help with.
£150
Ongoing therapy
50-minute session
Standard individual psychological therapy appointment with one of our Clinical Psychologists.
£120
Professional consultation
Consultation arrangements vary depending on what is needed. We will discuss the scope, format and fee with you before any work is agreed rather than setting a single fixed rate here.
The practical side of therapy
What working together looks like
The details can be adapted around you, but this is the usual shape of getting started and working together.
01
A brief call first
Following referral, we offer a free 15-minute call to clarify what you are looking for and consider the fit.
02
The initial appointment
The first full appointment lasts 90 minutes, giving us more space to understand what is bringing you to therapy and what you hope may help.
03
Ongoing sessions
Standard ongoing individual appointments last 50 minutes and begin and end at the agreed time.
04
How often we meet
Weekly sessions can help with continuity at first, but frequency can be adapted and reviewed around the work and your circumstances.
05
Online and in-person
Online appointments can be offered where appropriate. In-person availability varies between psychologists and will be confirmed with you.
06
Duration and endings
There is no standard number of sessions. We review the work together, and you can raise ending therapy at any point.
Payment & cancellations
A few boundaries make the practical side easier
Payment
Self-funded appointments are paid directly to Asteria. Payment is normally due before or at the time of the appointment. Your psychologist will confirm the payment method when your appointment is arranged.
Cancellations
If you need to cancel or rearrange, please give at least 48 hours’ notice. Appointments cancelled with less than 48 hours’ notice may be charged at the full session fee.
If we need to cancel
If your psychologist needs to cancel an appointment, you will not be charged and we will offer another appointment where possible.
Private health insurance
If you hope to fund therapy through private health insurance, tell us before booking. Registration, authorisation requirements and session rates vary between insurers and psychologists, so we will confirm what is possible before treatment begins.
Questions about the practicalities
Things it is reasonable to ask before starting therapy
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can approach Asteria directly and make a self-referral. Professionals may also enquire about referrals with the appropriate permission to share information.
Do I have to commit to weekly therapy indefinitely?
No. Frequency and duration are discussed with you. Weekly sessions can help build continuity, particularly at the beginning, but therapy should have a purpose rather than continuing automatically. We review whether the work still feels useful and appropriate as it develops.
Can I choose which psychologist I see?
You are welcome to tell us if you have a preference. We will also think about clinical fit, the psychologist’s areas of experience and current availability. Fit is not only about expertise; feeling able to work together matters too. If we think someone else may be better placed to help, we will explain why.
Do you offer reduced-fee therapy?
We do not routinely operate a sliding-scale fee for individual therapy. We recognise that private therapy is not financially accessible to everyone. If cost is a barrier, you are still welcome to contact us and we may be able to suggest other routes to support.
What if I am unsure whether Asteria is the right service?
You do not need to decide that alone. Send us a brief referral or enquiry and we will consider the fit with you. A referral does not commit you to starting therapy, and being offered an appointment does not remove your choice about whether to proceed.
Is Asteria an emergency service?
No. Asteria provides planned psychological care and cannot provide crisis or emergency support. Please do not wait for a response from us if immediate help is needed.
Ready when you are
Knowing the practicalities is enough for now
If you would like us to consider whether Asteria may be the right fit, send a brief referral. You do not need to have worked everything else out first, and contacting us does not commit you to beginning therapy.