How to choose a private speech therapist

Why does it matter who you pick?

Private speech therapy isn't something you can easily compare. There's no league table, and the person you choose will spend time with your child and tell you what they think is going on. So it's reasonable to check a few things before you book.

I'm a therapist, so I have an obvious interest here. I've tried to write this as I'd want a friend to hear it, and several of the checks below work whoever you choose.

Is "speech therapist" a protected title?

"Speech and language therapist" and "speech therapist" are both protected titles in the UK, which means anyone using them should be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).¹ Other labels, such as "communication therapist" or "speech practitioner", aren't regulated, so if someone uses one of those, or calls themselves a "language coach" or "communication specialist", it's worth asking what their training is.²

Registration means the therapist has met national standards, must keep their skills up to date and can be held to account if something goes wrong.²³

How do I check a therapist is registered?

You can check yourself in a couple of minutes, and a good therapist will be glad you did.

• Look them up on the HCPC register. Enter their name or registration number and you'll see whether they're registered as a speech and language therapist.⁴
• Ask whether they're a member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), the professional body. Members have a membership number.
• Look for the Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice (ASLTIP) and its directory of independent therapists. It's a useful place to find someone near you, and to see who's a member.⁵⁶

None of these is a guarantee that a therapist will suit your child. They're neutral checks on the basics. My own details are on the about page, where you can check them against the register.

What should I ask before booking?

Most therapists will be happy to answer these, either on a short call or by email.

• Are you HCPC-registered, and what is your registration number?
• Have you worked with children like mine, at their age and with their sort of difficulty?
• Do you have an enhanced DBS check and professional insurance?
• What will the first session look like, and what will I get at the end of it?
• What exactly does the price include, and what costs extra?
• How will you work with my child's nursery or school?
• If I disagree with something, or want to stop, what happens?

If your child has a particular difficulty, such as a feeding problem, selective mutism or an unclear speech sound pattern, it's fair to ask what training the therapist has in that area, and what they'd recommend if it's outside their experience. A good therapist will say when someone else is better placed to help, and will say it without embarrassment.

Keep your ears open for how they answer, too. A good one explains things in plain English, asks about your child before saying what's wrong, and asks what your child enjoys.

What should make me hesitate?

A few things should give you pause.

Be wary of anyone who promises a particular result, or says your child will be talking by a certain date. Nobody can know that, and honest therapists describe what therapy aims to do. Be wary too of a plan that's decided before they've met your child, a demand for a big block of payment upfront without a clear explanation, or pressure to commit on the day.

I'd also ask about approach. If you have an autistic child, find out how the therapist thinks about autism. Ask whether therapy aims to help your child communicate in their own way or to make them seem less autistic, whether eye contact and sitting still are goals, and whether children are rewarded for compliance. You can decide what feels right for your family, but you should know the answers before you start.

How do fees compare?

Fees vary across independent therapists, and a higher price doesn't mean better. What matters more is whether it's clear. Fixed fees should be fixed. You should know what an assessment includes, whether a written report costs extra, and whether travel is charged.

For what it's worth, mine are on the fees page: a free 15-minute call, an assessment at £270 without a written report (the report is £95 on top), and therapy at £85 an hour. If you have private health cover, check whether it pays for speech therapy. I'm a recognised Bupa provider.

Where will sessions happen?

It's worth asking. Some therapists only see children online, some only at a clinic, some only in schools. I see children at my clinic in Wanstead, and I visit nurseries and schools too, because a child's day happens somewhere else. I don't offer online therapy; online is only for annual reviews, school training and parent coaching. Your child will do best in whichever setting they find easiest, so if the travel makes it hard, tell the therapist. The areas page shows where I go.

Do I need to leave the NHS to see a private therapist?

No. A private therapist doesn't take your child off an NHS waiting list, and you don't need a GP referral to see an independent therapist.⁶ Plenty of families do both. A good private therapist will be pleased to work with an NHS colleague.

If you're thinking about a first appointment, this guide explains what happens at an assessment, so you know what to expect. And if you're unsure whether your child needs help at all, try the late talkers guide.

Whoever you choose, trust your sense of whether your child is comfortable with them, and whether you are.