If you are struggling with your mental health, one of the first questions you may ask is whether you can get support without seeing a GP first.
The answer is: yes, in many situations you can self-refer to mental health services in the UK. But it depends on what kind of help you need, where you live, and which service you are trying to access.
This guide explains what self-referral means, which mental health services commonly allow it, when you still need a GP referral, what happens after you self-refer, and what to do while waiting.
For a wider overview of available support, see our guide to mental health support options in the UK.
What self-referral means
In NHS language, self-referral means you can contact a service directly without a GP or another clinician formally referring you.
You may be able to fill in an online form, call a local service, or contact a provider yourself to request an assessment or appointment.
The aim of self-referral is to:
- reduce barriers to care
- help people access support earlier
- avoid unnecessary GP appointments
- make services easier to find
- allow people to ask for help before symptoms worsen
Not every mental health service accepts self-referral, but some of the most commonly used services do.
When self-referral can work well
Self-referral is often useful when you are dealing with common mental health problems such as anxiety, low mood, panic, stress, phobias or trauma-related symptoms, and you feel able to complete a form or speak to a service directly.
It can help you avoid waiting for a GP appointment when the service you need already accepts direct contact.
When self-referral may not be enough
Self-referral is not always the right route if symptoms are severe, complex, urgent or linked with medication, risk, psychosis, mania, eating disorders, perinatal mental health, children’s services or specialist psychiatric care.
In those situations, a GP, NHS 111, crisis team or emergency service may be more appropriate depending on urgency.
NHS Talking Therapies: the main self-referral route
The most common NHS self-referral route for adults in England is NHS Talking Therapies, previously known as IAPT.
NHS Talking Therapies provides free psychological support for common mental health problems such as:
- depression
- anxiety
- panic attacks
- stress
- health anxiety
- social anxiety
- phobias
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- post-traumatic stress disorder
Support may include guided self-help, online therapy, group sessions, CBT or one-to-one therapy, depending on your needs and local availability.
You can check options and self-refer through the NHS page for talking therapies.
How to self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies
You can usually self-refer by:
- using an online referral form on your local service website
- calling the service directly
- using an email or contact form where available
- finding your local service through the NHS Talking Therapies page
You do not normally need a GP appointment first. After you submit a referral, the service will usually contact you for an initial assessment.
Waiting times vary by area. Some people are offered support quickly, while others wait longer depending on local demand.
What happens after you self-refer?
After you self-refer, the service will usually contact you for a brief assessment. This may happen by phone, video or online form.
They may ask about:
- your symptoms
- how long you have been struggling
- how symptoms affect work, study, relationships or daily life
- sleep, appetite and concentration
- panic attacks, trauma symptoms or intrusive thoughts
- risk, including self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- what support you are hoping for
- whether you have had therapy before
After assessment, you may be offered:
- guided self-help
- online CBT
- group therapy
- one-to-one CBT
- phone or video sessions
- signposting to another service if Talking Therapies is not the right fit
If the service thinks your needs are more complex or urgent than they can support, they may advise you to speak to your GP, contact crisis support, or seek a specialist referral.
Example: self-referring for anxiety
Jane, 28, notices that her anxiety is getting worse at work. She is avoiding meetings, sleeping poorly and feeling panicky before presentations.
She searches for her local NHS Talking Therapies service, completes an online self-referral form and receives an assessment call. The service offers guided CBT support and group sessions. She starts without needing a GP referral.
This is the type of situation where self-referral can work well.
When you may still need a GP or specialist referral
Self-referral is helpful for many common mental health problems, but some services are designed for people with more complex, urgent or specialist needs. These often require referral or triage through a GP or another NHS professional.
Community Mental Health Teams
Community Mental Health Teams, often called CMHTs, provide more specialist support for people with complex or long-term mental health needs.
They may support people with:
- bipolar disorder
- psychosis
- severe depression
- complex trauma
- significant risk or self-harm history
- complex medication needs
- severe functional impairment
In most areas, you usually cannot self-refer directly to a CMHT. Referrals often come from a GP, crisis team, emergency department, psychiatrist or another NHS professional.
However, local systems vary. Some areas have single points of access, mental health hubs or local helplines that allow direct contact and triage without a traditional GP referral.
If you think you need specialist mental health support, a GP appointment is usually a good starting point. Our guide to how to access mental health services in the UK explains the wider pathway.
Situations where self-referral may not be the right route
You may need GP or specialist referral if:
- you need psychiatric assessment
- you may need medication or medication review
- you have symptoms of psychosis or mania
- you have an eating disorder
- you have complex trauma or high risk
- you are already under a mental health team
- you need coordinated care between services
- you need a fit note or workplace medical documentation
- you need referral to CAMHS, perinatal mental health or older adult mental health services
- you are unsure what type of support is appropriate
In these cases, a GP can help decide which team is most appropriate and make a referral.
If booking a GP appointment is difficult, see how to get a GP appointment quickly in the UK.
Self-referral in a mental health crisis
If you are in a mental health crisis, you do not need to wait for a routine GP referral.
Crisis support may be appropriate if you:
- feel unable to keep yourself safe
- feel at risk of harming yourself or someone else
- are experiencing severe distress that cannot wait
- feel out of control or unable to cope
- are having thoughts of suicide
- are experiencing frightening thoughts, voices or paranoia
Options may include NHS urgent mental health helplines, NHS 111, local crisis teams, A&E or 999 in an immediate emergency.
The NHS explains urgent options here: where to get urgent help for mental health.
If there is immediate danger, serious self-harm, overdose, violence, severe confusion or someone cannot be kept safe, call 999 or go to A&E.
Self-referral across the UK
Mental health services are organised differently across the UK. England’s NHS Talking Therapies model is the best-known self-referral route, but self-referral options may also exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland under different local names.
England
In England, many adults can self-refer directly to NHS Talking Therapies for common mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, panic, stress and related conditions.
Specialist mental health teams usually require GP or professional referral, although local crisis lines, single points of access or mental health hubs may allow direct contact in some areas.
Scotland
Psychological therapies are arranged through local NHS boards. Some areas allow direct access or self-referral to wellbeing, counselling or psychological therapy services, while others use GP referral routes.
Wales
NHS Wales services vary by health board. Some local talking therapy, counselling or mental health support services allow self-referral, while others require GP or professional referral.
Northern Ireland
Access routes vary by Health and Social Care Trust. Self-referral may be available for some counselling, wellbeing or community support services, but specialist services often require referral.
The safest approach is to check your local health board, NHS trust or Health and Social Care Trust website for current self-referral options.
What to do if self-referral is not available
Not all areas have self-referral forms for every service. Some may require a GP referral, while others may temporarily restrict access due to demand.
If you cannot self-refer, you can:
- contact your GP and ask for a mental health referral
- call NHS 111 if you need advice
- use a local mental health helpline if available
- contact a charity for support and signposting
- consider private therapy if faster access is needed and affordable
- use crisis services if the situation is urgent
There is no shame in asking your GP for help. Self-referral is useful, but GP referral still matters for many services.
Support while waiting
Waiting times for NHS therapy can vary. While you wait, it is reasonable to use other support routes.
Charities can provide emotional support, practical advice and signposting while you wait for clinical care.
- Mind offers information, local services and advice.
- Samaritans offers 24/7 confidential listening support.
- Rethink Mental Illness supports people affected by severe mental illness.
- YoungMinds supports children, young people and parents.
Charities are not a replacement for urgent clinical care, but they can help you feel less alone and understand your options.
Private therapy
Some people choose private counselling or therapy for faster access, specific expertise or more flexible appointment times. Private therapy can sit alongside NHS self-referral, although you should tell clinicians if risk, medication or multiple services are involved.
For more detail, see online therapy and counselling in the UK and NHS vs private healthcare in the UK.
Examples of self-referral in action
Self-referral routes vary by area, but these examples show how different situations may work in practice.
University student with anxiety
Aliya, a 20-year-old student in Cardiff, finds that anxiety is affecting her studies. She checks local mental health and talking therapy options, completes an online form where available, and is offered a virtual assessment. She starts guided support without first booking a GP appointment.
Parent with low mood
Mark, 40, has persistent low mood after losing his job. He self-refers by phone to his local NHS Talking Therapies service. After assessment, he is offered a mix of CBT-based support and group sessions.
Someone who needs specialist care
Ravi, 35, has episodes of very elevated mood, little sleep, risky behaviour and later severe depression. He tries to self-refer to talking therapy, but the assessment suggests he needs GP review and possible specialist mental health referral. Self-referral still helps by identifying that a different route is needed.
Tips for a successful self-referral
- Be honest about symptoms and how they affect your life.
- Mention risk, including self-harm or suicidal thoughts, even if it feels difficult.
- Give practical examples, such as sleep, work, study, relationships or daily routines.
- Keep your phone and email details up to date.
- Check voicemail and emails, including spam folders.
- If you do not hear back, follow up with the service.
- If symptoms worsen while waiting, contact your GP, NHS 111, crisis support or emergency services depending on urgency.
FAQ: self-referring to mental health services
Can I self-refer to mental health services in the UK?
Yes, in many cases. The most common route is self-referral to NHS Talking Therapies in England. Other UK nations also have local self-referral options, but availability varies.
Do I need a GP referral for NHS Talking Therapies?
Usually no. Many adults in England can self-refer directly to NHS Talking Therapies without seeing a GP first.
Can I self-refer to a psychiatrist?
For NHS psychiatry, usually not directly. You normally need GP or specialist referral. Private psychiatrists may accept direct bookings, but this is paid care.
Can I self-refer to CAMHS?
It depends on the local area. Some children and young people’s services accept self-referral or parent referral, while others require referral from a GP, school or professional.
Can I self-refer if I feel suicidal?
If you feel at immediate risk, do not wait for routine self-referral. Call 999, go to A&E or use urgent NHS mental health support. Samaritans can also provide 24/7 listening support.
What happens after I self-refer?
You will usually be contacted for an assessment. The service will ask about symptoms, risk, goals and daily impact, then offer suitable support or signpost you elsewhere.
Can self-referral get me seen faster?
It can avoid waiting for a GP appointment, but therapy waiting times still vary by local demand. Some areas are faster than others.
What if Talking Therapies says I need another service?
They may suggest speaking to your GP, contacting crisis support, or asking for referral to a specialist service. This does not mean you were wrong to self-refer; it means they are helping route you appropriately.
Can I use private therapy while waiting for NHS therapy?
Yes, many people do. Tell therapists or clinicians if you are using multiple services, especially if medication, risk or safeguarding concerns are involved.
Can charities replace NHS therapy?
Charities can provide valuable emotional support, information and signposting, but they are not a replacement for clinical care if you need assessment, treatment or crisis support.
What if I cannot find the right self-referral form?
Use the NHS Talking Therapies search page if you are in England, check your local health board or trust website, or contact your GP practice for guidance.
Should I see a GP instead of self-referring?
See a GP if symptoms are severe, complex, linked with physical health, involve medication, include high risk, or you are unsure which service is right.
Final takeaway
Self-referral to mental health services in the UK is possible and encouraged for many people, especially adults seeking support for anxiety, depression, stress, panic or related problems through NHS Talking Therapies.
However, self-referral is not the right route for every situation. Specialist services, psychiatric assessment, medication reviews, complex risk and some child or perinatal services may still need GP or professional referral.
If you are unsure, start with NHS Talking Therapies if your symptoms fit, speak to your GP if things are complex, and use urgent support immediately if you feel unsafe.
