Psychiatrists
What psychiatrists do, how they are registered in the UK, how to check a registration, and NHS and private routes. General information only, not personal advice.
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What Psychiatrists Do
Psychiatrists — doctors who specialise in mental health
Psychiatrists are doctors who have specialised in mental health. Because they are medically trained, they can assess how mental and physical health affect each other, make a diagnosis, review and prescribe medication, and arrange other treatment. Some also offer talking therapy themselves; others focus on assessment, diagnosis and medication review and work alongside psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and other professionals. Psychiatrists work in the NHS in community mental health teams, hospitals, and children’s, older adults’ and other specialist services, and some also see people privately. Because their work varies, it helps to ask any psychiatrist whether they offer therapy, assessment, medication review or a mix. This guide is general information, not medical advice, and Therapist Circle does not check what any listed psychiatrist offers. Do not start, stop or change medication because of anything you read here; speak to your GP or the doctor who prescribes it. Therapist Circle is not a crisis service: call 999, NHS 111 or Samaritans free on 116 123 if you need urgent help.
Registration and Titles
Registration: all doctors in the UK must be on the General Medical Council medical register with a licence to practise. On Therapist Circle, a psychiatrist is listed only if they are also on the specialist register for psychiatry. The online register shows whether they hold a licence to practise, whether they are on the specialist register, and whether any conditions or suspension apply. “Psychiatrist” is not itself a legally protected title, so checking the register is how you confirm it.
How to Check a Registration
Search the General Medical Council register for the person’s name and check the entry shows a licence to practise, any conditions, and that they are on the specialist register for psychiatry. The general register alone does not show that.
Our guide on how to check a register explains what to look for. Every practitioner on Therapist Circle shows their register and number on their profile so you can check it yourself.
NHS and Other Routes
In the NHS, psychiatrists work in community mental health teams, hospitals and specialist services. Referral is usually through your GP or a team already involved in your care, and your GP is the usual first step. Some psychiatrists also see people privately, and you can ask whether they offer therapy, assessment, medication review or a mix.
See finding NHS support and free and low-cost therapy for more routes.
Private Sessions and Fees
Private fees vary by area, experience, session length and setting, so ask each practitioner for their fee, cancellation terms and any reduced-fee places before booking. Our guide to fees, private practice and NHS routes explains what to ask.
Questions to Ask Before You Start
- Which register are you on, and what is your registration number?
- What experience do you have with the kind of difficulty I have?
- How long are sessions, how often, and what do they cost?
- Do you offer online, phone or in-person sessions?
Find Psychiatrists
Other Professions
Informed by: Royal College of Psychiatrists · General Medical Council.
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