How to Find an Occupational Therapist Near You in the UK

In short: You can get occupational therapy free through the NHS or social services, depending on your situation. Ask your GP about a referral, or contact your local council. You can also pay for an occupational therapist yourself, and the NHS points to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ list of qualified, registered OTs. Whichever way you go, check they are on the HCPC register.

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Please read. This is general information from us, not medical, clinical or professional advice. We’re a directory: we don’t provide therapy, we don’t recommend or guarantee any practitioner, and we’re not a crisis service. If you need urgent help, please use the crisis box at the bottom of this page. Services and rules change, so check the official websites linked here.

Your routes

  • Through the NHS. Speak to a GP about a referral, or to the team already supporting you.
  • Through your council. Your local council’s adult or children’s social care team is often the route for help with daily living, equipment or home adaptations. You can ask your council for a needs assessment.
  • Privately. Many occupational therapists work independently, and you pay them directly. Waiting times and what’s available vary by area.

Not sure if you need a GP letter first? See do you need a referral?

Finding a private occupational therapist

  • The NHS says the Royal College of Occupational Therapists lists qualified and registered occupational therapists (NHS: occupational therapy).
  • You can search Therapist Circle for occupational therapists, by what you’d like help with and by online or in-person sessions. Therapist Circle is new and still growing, so there may be few or none listed near you yet. If so, please use the professional body’s own finder. It is often the quickest route.

Check they’re registered

Occupational therapist is a protected title, so anyone using it must be on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register. Search by name or registration number, free. The entry shows whether they are currently registered and any conditions on their practice. On Therapist Circle, every practitioner on Find shows their register and registration number so you can check them yourself. Before a profile appears on Find, we look up the person’s name and number on their public register by hand, and we re-check listed practitioners at least once a year. A check is only correct on the day it was made, so please also check the register yourself.

Questions to ask before you book

  • What is your HCPC registration number?
  • What experience do you have with my, or my child’s, kind of difficulty?
  • What does an assessment involve, and will I get a written report?
  • Where would sessions take place: at home, in a clinic, at school or work, or online?
  • What do you charge for the assessment, sessions, travel and any report?

See also questions to ask before you book.

Common Questions

Can I see an occupational therapist without a GP referral?

Privately, you can usually contact an occupational therapist yourself. On the NHS, the NHS website says you can speak to a GP about a referral or contact your local council. Routes vary by area, so ask your GP practice or council.

How much does a private occupational therapist cost?

Fees vary by area, experience and what’s included, such as travel or a written report, so ask before you book. See our guide to how much therapy costs for what to ask.

Do occupational therapists only work with physical health?

No. The NHS says occupational therapy can help if you are physically disabled, recovering from an illness or operation, have a learning disability, have mental health problems or are getting older. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages.

How do I check an occupational therapist is registered?

Search the HCPC register by name or registration number. The title occupational therapist is protected, so anyone using it must be on the register.

Last reviewed 26 October 2026. Information is drawn from the NHS, HCPC and professional body websites, checked in October 2026. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS, the HCPC or any professional body.

Related: Occupational therapists: the full guide · Physiotherapists · Which professional for my child?

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