Online assessment
248 of the 269+ clinics we independently verify offer a fully online assessment — no travel, often a shorter wait, and the same clinical standard as in-person.
What to expect
Most clinics send a detailed questionnaire to complete before your appointment, covering current symptoms, childhood history, and daily functioning.
Typically 60–90 minutes with a psychiatrist, specialist nurse, or clinical psychologist, structured the same way an in-person interview would be.
Following the same standard as in-person assessments — detailed enough for a GP to act on if medication or further referral is recommended.
Questions
Yes — a properly conducted online assessment follows the same clinical process as an in-person one: a structured interview, standardised questionnaires, developmental history, and a written report from a qualified clinician. The delivery method doesn't change the diagnostic standard; what matters is the clinician's qualifications and the thoroughness of the process, not whether it happens over video or in a room.
Usually, yes. An online assessment is often £200–£400 cheaper than an equivalent in-person one, mainly because the clinic doesn't need to hold a physical consulting room open for you. It's not universal, so it's still worth comparing individual clinics rather than assuming.
It depends on the clinician, not the delivery mode. A consultant psychiatrist can prescribe directly whether the assessment was online or in-person. A psychologist- or nurse-led assessment usually can't prescribe either way — you'd be referred on to a GP or psychiatrist afterwards. Check which applies to a specific clinic before assuming.
A stable internet connection, a private space to talk openly for the appointment length (usually 60–90 minutes), and time beforehand to complete a pre-assessment questionnaire, which most clinics send in advance. Some clinics ask a parent, partner, or close friend to complete a supporting questionnaire about your childhood or current functioning.
Some Right to Choose providers offer online-only assessment; others don't. It varies by provider and by which NHS Integrated Care Board covers you, so check with the specific provider before assuming online is included. See our Right to Choose guide for how the scheme works.
Answer a few questions and we'll match you to a clinic that fits.