Speech and Language Therapists
What speech and language therapists do, how they are registered in the UK, how to check a registration, and NHS and private routes. General information only, not personal advice.
What Speech and Language Therapists Do
Speech and Language Therapists provide assessment, treatment and care for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, or with eating, drinking and swallowing. That includes speech sound development, understanding and using language, stammering and cluttering, voice, social communication, literacy-related language needs, and alternative and augmentative ways of communicating. They also work with changes after a stroke, brain injury, progressive condition, learning disability, hearing loss or mental health difficulty. Goals are agreed with the person and those around them — parents, carers, teachers or colleagues — and therapy may happen at home, in school, in clinic, in hospital or online. Sessions are tailored and often include practical strategies to use between appointments, not only work in the room. Families, carers and teachers are often part of the work.
Registration and Titles
Protected titles: Speech and Language Therapist, speech therapist — must be on the Health and Care Professions Council register. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is the professional body.
How to Check a Registration
Search the register for the person’s name and check the entry says Speech and Language Therapist, with no current conditions on practice.
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
NHS speech and language therapy for children can often be requested by parents directly, or through a health visitor, nursery or school. Adults are usually referred by a GP, hospital team or stroke service. Swallowing difficulties should always be raised with a GP or hospital team promptly.
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 Speech and Language Therapists
Other Professions
Informed by: Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Not affiliated with any professional body. If you need urgent help, call NHS 111, Samaritans free on 116 123, or 999 if life is at risk.