FAQs | The Blue Tree Clinic

Why would I see a psychologist?

People come from all over the world to see us at the Blue Tree Clinic for all kinds of reasons. You may want some advice on your life situation or want help in developing personal skills, or you maybe struggling with a number of issues which our friendly therapists have experience in treating. You maybe going through a particularly difficult time or you may not want to wait months on a waiting list for treatment to help you move on with your life.

What is your cancellation policy?

At the Blue Tree Clinic we strive to be as friendly and helpful as possible and we know plans change!

If you cancel or change your appointment up to 72 hours before there is no charge. Inside 72 hours you will not be refunded your session fee. This is because your clinician has made plans to meet with you, it is an important part of the agreement in therapy that you respect each other’s time. Your therapist will not cancel you unless there is an emergency.

How can seeing a dietician help me?

Many of us don’t take the time in our busy lives to eat well. We can help you with feeling better through healthy eating and weight management if needed or support with eating disorders with our friendly and experienced dietician.

Is everything I talk about confidential?

Yes everything you bring to a session is confidential, with the rare exceptions of cases where you are at risk to yourself or others, then your therapist or Doctor may want to contact other professionals or your GP for instance to get you more help should you need it.

How many appointments will it take to get me feeling better?

The number of appointments you may need can range from a single appointment to talk about a particular issue. Your doctor or therapist will always be trying to help you as quickly as possible to get you feeling better. Often people like to attend for some weeks or months to address a long standing problem and we will aim to help you as much as possible in making this affordable with disounts for block bookings or a course of treatment.

Do I need a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist?

When people are unwell they made need a medically qualified doctor / psychiatrist to help them.

A psychiatrist can rule out any physical cause to you not feeling yourself. They can order tests and prescribe medication as well as giving therapy. If you are unsure if you would rather see a psychiatrist or psychologist, you can come in for a free consultation and we will help you with your decision making or you can just give us a call.

Can I speak to former patients to check the level of care they received?

Yes, The Blue tree Clinic is proud to announce that we have patient advisors who have been former patients themselves and are happy to help others that are in need. Please contact us for more information on speaking with some of our clients

Can I do work experience at your clinic?

We get lots of calls about this, we are sorry we do not take on people for work experience but internships are available annually. Please email us about this if you are interested in gaining experience in mental health, you must have a degree in psychology or a social science to work with us.

Do you have couples counselling?

Yes we have therapists that specialise in couples work, these are usually 90 minute or 2 hour sessions, and we have a high success rate?

Why do I need to pay in advance for my session?

Unfortunately we have had clients who do not show up when their doctor or therapist has made a lot of effort to be there for their appointment, and so we do need to take payments by our secure Go Cardless System which is regulated by the FCA to ensure you are protected. You are also welcome to pay on the day before your sessions starts. We also take credit cards via an online link or in person.

How quickly can I be seen?

We aim to give people an appointment as soon as possible. This is usually within 7 days.

What is your complaints procedure?

Please write to us at reception@thebluetreeclinic.com where the Clinic Manager and the Clinical Director will address your complaint and provide a response within 14 days.

Why are your fees for autism and aspergers assessments so much lower than other Harley Street clinics?

Our Doctor and Clinical Director do not believe in people that can not wait on the NHS waiting lists any longer having to be forced to pay £8000 or more for urgent asssessments, therefore we offer a slightly more affordable way for people to access mental health care assessments at more affordable pricing. We always act with integrity and use the finest therapists and doctors who have your best interests at heart.

Are your staff all registered with the appropriate professional bodies?

Yes all our staff are members of Royal Colleges, the GMC and the Psychological College’s. They all undertake appraisal and regular supervisions. We also meet as a team to address any concerns we have about our patient’s giving families and our patient’s extra backup and support if needed. Professional meetings are also offered to our patients, and are routinely held when problems occur. We respect confidentiality of course and these are only held when the client has consented.

How do I know your reviews are real?

We take our reviews and compliments and complaints seriously. We can often put you in touch with those that have agreed to be videod or have done an audio or written review on our site or on google or facebook. We are aware that lots of other clinics fake their reviews, but we do not. If you are worried you won’t get a good outcome from booking we encourage you to call for a free chat with our medical director or clinic manager and come in for an assessment, there is no commitment to return.

I can’t get to your clinics, can I use Zoom or Doxy or the phone for a session?

Yes absolutely. We can add you on Zoom or Doxy, both secure video platforms, or we have bespoke encrypted links for the medical appointments, most of our work is online since 2020. This enables our Drs to see you as fast as possible as it has cut down on their travel time and increased therefore their availability.

Will the Psychiatrists push me to have medication?

No our medical team believe in treating with medication but only when necessary and will help you to come to the best treatment plan together. This may involve therapy over medication but they also believe medication has an important role.

Do I have to commit to coming every week?

Therapy works best if you come every week but some clients like to come every month or whenever suits them. So no you don’t need to.

Can I come in for a second opinion?

Yes we see many clients who want a second opinion and a second report on their situation.

I don’t think I can afford private health care, can you help?

You may be surprised with some of our affordable therapists, we have a great team that will do our best to help you, contact us on our contact form or email Kim our clinic manager at reception@thebluetreeclinic.com.

Can I come and see you from abroad?

Yes we have clients that fly in and we have flown abroad to see clients as well – we can do a lot of work in a limited time and your therapist will make time to give you as much help in that time. We have seen many patients from Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Europe and America.

I need a prescription because I am visiting or living in the UK from abroad, can you help?

Yes please book in with our doctors.

Do I need a GP referral to come and see you?

No you don’t, you can refer yourself or your friend / family member.

I have a question that is not here, what can i do?

Will my GP accept a diagnosis made privately?

Usually yes for the diagnosis itself. Long term NHS prescribing is a separate question and depends on your GP agreeing a shared care arrangement, which is voluntary. Ask your practice whether they accept new shared care agreements before you book anything.

Is a private ADHD diagnosis recognised by the NHS?

A diagnosis made by a consultant psychiatrist is a clinical diagnosis regardless of who paid for the appointment. What varies is whether your GP will take over prescribing under shared care, which is their decision and has become harder for ADHD specifically.

Can a private psychiatrist prescribe ADHD medication?

Yes. Our consultant psychiatrists can prescribe stimulant medication for ADHD where it is clinically appropriate and following a full assessment. We also offer titration, so you are not diagnosed and then left to find treatment elsewhere.

Can I be assessed for ADHD and autism at the same time?

Yes, and it is often the right approach. ADHD and autism frequently occur together, and assessing for one in isolation risks missing the other. Tell us at the point of booking so the right amount of time is set aside.

Can adults be diagnosed with autism for the first time in their forties or fifties?

Yes, and it is common. Many autistic adults learned to mask early, were assessed as children against a narrower idea of autism, or were given a different label such as anxiety or depression instead. Women and girls in particular were missed.

Are online appointments as effective as seeing someone in person?

For most psychiatric work, yes. Assessment, diagnosis, medication reviews and most therapy are clinically equivalent over Zoom or Doxy. There are situations where in person is preferable, and your clinician will tell you if yours is one of them.

Do you write reports for employers, universities or Access to Work?

Yes. We write reports for employers, universities and Access to Work. These are charged separately from the appointment. Contact us for the cost and tell us what the report is for and who will receive it, so we can make sure it gives them the information they need.

Which private medical insurers do you work with?

We work with many insurers, including Bupa Global, Cigna, WPA and UnitedHealthcare. We cannot currently accept AXA or Bupa UK. If you are insured with either, you may be able to pay us directly and claim reimbursement, but agree this with your insurer first, as we cannot be responsible if they decline to reimburse. Contact us to check your insurer.

Do I need to stop my current medication before my first appointment?

No. Do not stop or change any prescribed medication before your appointment. Bring a list of everything you take, including doses and anything bought over the counter, because several common medications produce psychiatric symptoms.

How long does it take to get a written report?

Written reports follow within two to three weeks of the appointment. They set out the assessment, the findings and the reasoning, and are written so that they can be given to your GP.