Questions to Ask Before You Book a Private Occupational Therapist, Physiotherapist, Dietitian or Speech and Language Therapist

In short: Before you book a private occupational therapist, physiotherapist, dietitian or speech and language therapist, check they are on the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) register, then ask what they will do, how much it will cost including extras, where you will be seen and how you will both know whether it is working. All four titles are protected by law, so anyone using them must be on the HCPC register, and you can check that yourself in a minute.

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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.

1. Are you on the HCPC register?

Ask for their registration number and check it yourself. It is free and takes about a minute.

  • Go to the HCPC Check the Register page, choose their profession, and search by surname or registration number.
  • An HCPC number starts with letters for the profession followed by numbers. For these four professions the letters are OT (occupational therapists), PH (physiotherapists), DT (dietitians) and SL (speech and language therapists). Arts therapists use AS.
  • “Registered” means the person is on the register with no restrictions, cautions or conditions of practice. Any that exist are shown with a link to more information.
  • Check that the name, number and profession all match. Register entries don’t show contact details, only a rough area where the person works.

Our guide to checking a register covers the other registers too.

2. What experience do you have with what I need?

  • “Have you worked with people who have difficulties like mine (or my child’s)? For how long?” If they say they have experience in an area, you can ask them to describe the kind of work they have done.
  • “How do you usually start?” Many practitioners begin with an assessment or a conversation about what matters to you. Ask how that works.
  • “What goals will we set, and how will we know when we have reached them?” Goals are usually about everyday things, such as getting dressed, preparing a meal, moving more easily, eating well or being understood.
  • “How long might this take, and how often will we meet?” A good answer is honest that this depends on you.

3. What will it cost, including extras?

  • There is no set fee for private practitioners in these professions. Fees vary by practitioner, area and type of work, so ask.
  • Ask what the fee covers and whether travel, reports, phone calls, emails, liaison with school or other professionals, or time spent writing up are charged separately.
  • Ask whether there is a written contract or terms and conditions, and read them before you sign. Ask about the cancellation policy and how and when you pay.
  • If you plan to claim on private health insurance, check with your insurer before you start what they cover and whether you need a referral from a doctor. Don’t assume it will be paid.

4. Where, when and how will we meet?

  • Some practitioners see people in a clinic, some at home, at school or at work, and some online. Ask what is possible and whether there is a charge for travelling to you.
  • Ask how soon you could be seen and whether the times they offer suit you.
  • Ask whether you can have a short first call or meeting to see whether you get on, and whether it costs anything.

5. If the person will work with a child

6. Who will they share information with?

  • Ask how they keep your records and who will see them. You can ask them to explain this in plain words.
  • If you want them to talk to your GP, school or another professional, say so. Most will ask for your agreement before sharing.
  • See is therapy confidential? for how confidentiality and its limits usually work.

Do I need a referral?

Usually not to see a private practitioner. NHS routes differ by area and profession, and some private health insurers want a referral before they will pay, so check with them. See do you need a referral?

Which guide is for which profession?

You can also search Find a therapist by profession. Therapist Circle is new, so there may be few or no listings near you yet, and we don’t recommend or rank anyone. The professional bodies for each profession run their own finders too.

Common Questions

What should I ask a private occupational therapist before I book?

Ask for their HCPC registration number and check it on the HCPC register. Then ask about their experience with what you need, what an assessment involves, what goals you will set and how you will know you have reached them, what they charge including travel and reports, whether there is a contract, and whether you can have a first meeting before agreeing to anything.

How do I check a physiotherapist, dietitian or speech and language therapist is registered?

Use the HCPC Check the Register page. Choose their profession and search by surname or registration number. The result should say “Registered”, with the name, number and profession matching what you were told. Physiotherapist, dietitian and speech and language therapist are all protected titles, so anyone using them must be on this register.

Do I need a referral to see a private physiotherapist, occupational therapist, dietitian or speech and language therapist?

Usually not to see a private practitioner, though NHS routes vary. Some private health insurers need a referral before they will pay, so check with your insurer before you start.

Is a nutritionist the same as a dietitian?

No. Dietitian is a protected title, so a dietitian must be on the HCPC register. Nutritionist is not a protected title in the same way, so check what register or body someone belongs to. Our dietitian or nutritionist guide explains the difference.

How much does a private occupational therapist, physiotherapist, dietitian or speech and language therapist cost?

There is no set fee, and it varies by practitioner, area and type of work, so we can’t give a figure. Ask what the fee covers and what is charged extra, such as travel, reports and phone or email time. Where practitioners choose to show a fee on their Therapist Circle profile, you can see it before you get in touch.

Last reviewed 28 October 2026. General information only, written from the HCPC’s guidance on checking its register and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ questions to ask a private occupational therapist, read on their websites on 28 October 2026. We are independent: not affiliated with or endorsed by the NHS, the HCPC or any professional body. Not medical advice and not a crisis service.

Related: How to check a therapist is registered · Questions to ask before you book a therapist · Types of therapist in the UK · Do you need a referral?

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