Priory FAQs

We treat a wide range of addictions, including substance addictions such as drug addiction, prescription drug addiction, cocaine addiction and alcoholism. We also provide expert support for behavioural addictions, including gambling, shopping, internet use, gaming and porn addiction. To explore the full range of addictions we treat, please visit our addictions A-Z list.

We provide expert treatment for a wide range of mental health conditions. These include depression, anxiety, stress, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorder, among many others. To explore the full range of mental health conditions we treat, please visit our mental health A-Z list.

We offer specialised treatment for a wide range of eating disorders. These include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder (BED), avoidant restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED).

We offer a variety of treatment programmes tailored to individual needs. These include inpatient treatment, day care, outpatient treatment and online therapy. In addition, we use a range of therapy formats as part of our treatment programmes, including one-to-one therapy, group therapy, couples therapy and family therapy, depending on your circumstances and the type of support you need.

We offer a wide range of therapeutic techniques, designed to support mental health and wellbeing. These include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) and mindfulness-based approaches.

We also offer repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) at Priory Wellbeing Centre Harley Street, which is one of the few places in the country where this treatment can be accessed. rTMS is a cutting-edge approach for supporting people who have treatment-resistant depression or treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

All of our therapies are evidence-based and can be adapted to your individual needs to produce the best possible outcomes.

We recognise that helping people stay healthy in mind, body and spirit pays a hugely important role in their recovery. That’s why we also provide access to a range of wellbeing activities and holistic techniques as part of your personalised treatment programme. Depending on your location and treatment programme, these may consist of:

• Exercise classes and groups
• Yoga, Tai Chi and Shiatsu classes
• Meditation and relaxation classes
• Acupuncture, massage and reflexology
• Aromatherapy
• Gardening groups
• Guided walks
• Community-based trips and activities
• Nutritional support
• Sleep hygiene

We provide private autism assessments for children and adults who may be showing signs of autism, with much shorter waiting times than the national average. These assessments are carried out by qualified psychiatrists, psychologists or therapists who are experts in autism diagnosis and support.

After the assessment, you’ll receive a detailed outcome report, aligned with NHS and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) standards. The whole process typically takes between 4 to 6 weeks. Our private autism assessments are available from £1,950, and you don’t need a GP referral to access this service.

Our private CAMHS and young people’s services provide compassionate, tailored support for young people under the age of 18. We can support young people with a wide range of mental health conditions and eating disorders, and offer outpatient, day care and inpatient programmes, designed to meet their needs.

In addition, we offer a variety of private CAMHS assessments, including assessments for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism, to ensure each young person receives the personalised care they need.

Yes, we offer a free, no-obligation addiction assessment for substance and behavioural addictions. You can choose to have this virtually or face-to-face, giving you a safe and private space to talk openly with a Priory specialist about your situation. During the assessment, we’ll discuss your circumstances and explain how we can help. If you decide to move forward, you can start your addiction treatment at a time that works best for you.

We provide a range of residential services throughout the UK, to support adults aged 18 and over. This includes people who are autistic, have a learning disability or mental health needs. Our residential services provide care and support to people in a community-based setting. We develop person-centred care plans for each person we support, which carefully consider their unique needs and goals.

Supported living helps people live as independently as possible. It allows people to have their own home with a tenancy agreement while receiving the care and support they need. We offer supported living services for adults with a range of needs, including autistic people and those with a learning disability or mental health conditions. We support people to lead active, safe and independent lives in their local communities, giving them more choice and control over how they live.

We offer bespoke therapeutic placements (BTPs) for adults and young people on the autism spectrum or with a learning disability. These placements are designed for people with complex needs, such as behaviours that challenge, sensory issues or difficulties with emotional regulation, which might make shared environments unsuitable.

Our BTPs provide personalised care in a safe, purpose-built setting, using the least restrictive practices and focusing on each person’s unique needs and preferences. The aim is to help people build independence and, where possible, transition to community living.

Positive behaviour support (PBS) is an approach that’s used to support adults on the autism spectrum or those with a learning disability. It’s particularly effective when supporting people who have behaviours that challenge, which can pose risks to themselves or others. Through our PBS services, we enable people to live safely and independently in community settings.

Yes, we provide PICUs for people with complex needs, challenging behaviours, and co-existing issues such as substance misuse. Our PICUs are designed to support patients in a severe phase of illness who can’t be safely managed in an acute or high dependency unit (HDU). We provide rapid admissions, 24 hours a day, and accept referrals from a range of settings, including other PICUs.

Our R&R services provide high-quality care for people with complex mental health needs. Our services aim to support patients to transition back home or into community settings wherever possible. We offer specialist support across a nationwide network, including high dependency rehabilitation units, autism and learning disability services, personality disorder care, neuropsychiatry and dementia support, transitional living, community-focused rehabilitation and bespoke therapeutic placements (BTPs).

We offer secure services for people with complex mental health needs, following the NHS guidelines for medium and low secure care. Our services provide evidence-based treatment programmes that ensure psychological and physical security, in safe and supportive environments. Our multidisciplinary teams deliver tailored care for a range of needs, including behaviours that challenge, severe mental health conditions, learning disabilities, personality disorders and autism. Our recovery-focused approach aims to provide high-quality care and support smooth transitions into local services wherever possible.

We work closely with the NHS to provide treatment for severe eating disorders. We are UK’s largest provider of specialist inpatient care for adults and young people with conditions like anorexia, bulimia and other specified feeding or eating disorders (OSFED). Our community and inpatient teams work together to create personalised treatment plans, supported by experienced consultants, specialist teams and evidence-based therapies. We also stay at the forefront of eating disorder treatment by participating in national clinical quality forums.

Our NHS CAMHS offers support for young people aged 13 to 18. We focus on providing care in the least restrictive setting, while respecting privacy and dignity. Our services include general adolescent (tier 4) care, treatment for eating disorders, low secure care, and specialist support for learning disabilities and autism. We also offer transitional living options, including residential care for young people with complex mental health needs or risk-taking behaviours. In addition, we offer outpatient therapy and day care at selected locations.

We provide residential, nursing and dementia care for older people in safe, homely environments. Our person-centred approach ensures we meet the social, physical and emotional needs of residents, with dedicated staff delivering high-quality care. Our specialist older people’s services include residential care, nursing care, dementia support, respite care, palliative care and mental health support, helping people live comfortably and with dignity.

Yes, we offer dementia care, tailored to meet the needs of people with dementia, including those with early-onset dementia. Our services aim to promote as much independence and stimulation as possible, with features like specialised furniture, clear signage and thoughtful décor to support comfort and dignity. As well as community-based support, we also offer specialist hospital services for adults with dementia.

We offer a range of nursing care services in community-based settings, including within our residential and older people’s services. Our registered nurses provide specialist support for people with diverse conditions and needs, helping them to lead active and fulfilling lives. Our services include mental health nursing, nursing for older people, brain injury nursing, and nursing for people with a learning disability and physical health needs.

We provide high-quality end of life care, also known as palliative care, for people who aren’t expected to recover. Our services focus on wellbeing, pain management and symptom control in a comfortable and supportive environment. We provide round-the-clock support that’s personalised to each person, and has input from residents and their families. Our team works closely with loved ones, carers, GPs and community nurses to deliver a holistic approach. We’re committed to providing compassionate, tailored support during this important stage of life.

Many of our homes provide short-term care and respite services for adults with a range of needs. This includes residential care for adults who are autistic, have a learning disability or mental health needs, as well as respite care within Priory’s older people’s services. Our respite services provide carers with peace of mind, knowing their loved ones are receiving 24-hour support in a safe and comfortable environment.

Integrated care systems (ICSs) are partnerships that work together to provide better joined-up healthcare and social services, making a positive difference in local communities. Priory works with ICSs to improve health and care services, ensure fair access for everyone, make services more efficient and cost-effective, and support the growth of local areas.

We offer flexible options for funding treatment:

• Self-funding: You can pay for your treatment directly, and in most cases, you won’t need a GP referral. You can book flexible appointments at a time that suits you, and our expert team will support you every step of the way
• Private medical insurance (PMI): If you have PMI, you can use it to cover any of our private services. Depending on your needs, you can choose from inpatient, day care, or outpatient programmes, all tailored to your individual treatment plan
• Corporate funding: If your employer offers mental health support, you may be able to access treatment funded directly by them or through their PMI scheme. Check with your employer to see if this option is available
• NHS and local authority services: Over 85% of our services are publicly funded, and we work with NHS trusts, local authorities and national systems across the UK. If you’re a referrer, we offer clear pricing models and care packages tailored to individual needs. However, please note that our private services aren’t accessible through NHS or local authority funding

We have private and NHS mental health hospitals, as well as residential and supported living services located across the UK, with sites in England, Scotland and Wales. Find a location here.

You can reach out to us by phone or through our enquiry form, and a member of our highly trained, compassionate team will be on hand to assist you with your needs. Contact us today.

Yes, our self-care hub is an online resource offering expert-led videos, self-help guides and practical self-care strategies to enhance your mental and emotional wellbeing. Our hub also offers engaging, age-appropriate content designed to help children build resilience and manage their emotions. By utilising these resources, we aim to help you develop positive coping strategies, improve focus, establish sustainable self-care routines, and boost your confidence and self-esteem.

We are committed to delivering the highest quality care and support, ensuring that everyone in our services receives the best possible treatment. Our services are regulated by internal teams, external regulators, commissioners and stakeholders. We also use feedback from people who use our services to make meaningful improvements. Find out more about safety, quality and compliance at Priory.

We value feedback on all aspects of our services. Please visit out compliments, comments and complaints page for more information.

We support over 28,000 people each year, helping them to live their lives to the fullest – and you can be a part of that. We offer outstanding career opportunities, the chance to work alongside some of the brightest minds in the field, and the opportunity to develop your career within an essential industry.

We provide care pathways for the people we support, through both our publicly funded and privately funded services.

Our publicly funded care pathways ensure smooth transitions between higher and lower dependency services, with a focus on helping people achieve greater independence or community living wherever possible.

For our private clients, our treatment programmes are set up in such a way that enables us to offer flexible transitions between inpatient, day care and outpatient treatment, depending on each person’s circumstances and the intensity of the support they need.

We work with businesses to promote mental health awareness and provide tailored support for employees. We offer a tailored end-to-end patient journey, flexible care pathways, mental health screening, and a range of training and workshops.

Our experienced trainers, including consultant psychiatrists and therapists, work with management, HR, and occupational health teams to foster a positive and healthy workplace environment. Just some of our training and workshops include:

• Mindfulness
• Building emotional resilience
• Stress management

Our dedicated corporate team works closely with organisations to manage the entire patient journey. We provide a personalised and professional concierge service, collaborating with each organisation to design a bespoke referral pathway tailored to their employees’ needs.

Yes, we offer flexible care pathways tailored to your organisation's needs. We can provide therapy at different stages of an employee's journey, with step-up or step-down services available if needed. We work closely with your company, including HR teams, private medical insurers, occupational health services, employee assistance programme (EAP) providers, and other relevant partners, to ensure the right support is in place.

Yes, we have a dedicated ‘Live your life’ hub, where we share inspiring stories of recovery and personal growth at Priory.

Yes, we offer several free services to support mental health and wellbeing. Our self-care hub provides expert-led resources, including videos and guides, to help you manage your mental health. Our blog features informative articles on a range of mental health topics. On our YouTube channel, you can access a variety of free resources, including guided meditations and episodes of our new panel show, Perspectives. Additionally, we provide a free emotional wellbeing programme for children, designed to help young people build resilience and cope with challenges.

We employ highly trained, registered and accredited professionals, who follow strict ethical standards and maintain professional boundaries.

Our specialists meet high educational and training requirements and are qualified by recognised organisations such as the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP).

Our clinical teams also take part in ongoing professional development, ensuring that all care is provided by skilled, knowledgeable professionals you can trust. In addition, we support and provide high-quality learning and development opportunities for all our staff, enabling our teams to continually improve and deliver the best possible service.