GP, psychologist or counsellor: who should you actually call first?

More Greenwich residents are seeking mental health support than at any point in the past decade, yet a significant number of them start with the wrong provider, and lose momentum before they get the help they need. The distinction between a GP, a psychologist and a counsellor is not merely administrative. It determines your waiting time, your out-of-pocket cost, and whether you walk away with a prescription, a diagnosis, a structured therapy programme, or simply a space to talk.

The confusion is understandable. Mental health terminology has expanded faster than public education about it. Hormonal factors, sleep disorders, and burnout now sit in the same conversation as anxiety and depression, blurring the lines between what requires clinical intervention and what benefits from structured talk therapy. Add to that a local market where wellness studios on Greenwich High Road increasingly advertise "emotional wellness" sessions alongside yoga classes, and the picture becomes murkier still.

Start with your GP, but know what they can and cannot do

Your GP is the correct first port of call if you are experiencing symptoms that might have a physical root: persistent fatigue, disrupted sleep, significant weight change, or mood shifts that feel sudden rather than gradual. At the Vanbrugh Group Practice on Vanbrugh Hill, as at most NHS surgeries in SE10, a GP can rule out thyroid dysfunction, vitamin deficiencies, and hormonal irregularities before any mental health label is applied. They can also refer you into the NHS Talking Therapies programme, formerly IAPT, which covers the Greenwich and Bexley area and offers cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for mild to moderate anxiety and depression, typically within six to eight weeks of referral as of mid-2026.

A GP cannot, however, provide ongoing psychotherapy. A ten-minute appointment is enough to assess risk, prescribe if necessary, and refer onward. It is not enough to process trauma, unpack grief, or work through long-standing behavioural patterns. That is where the distinction becomes critical.

A psychologist, specifically a clinical psychologist registered with the Health and Care Professions Council, holds a doctoral-level qualification and is trained to assess, diagnose, and deliver evidence-based therapies including CBT, EMDR for trauma, and schema therapy. In Greenwich, the East London NHS Foundation Trust runs community mental health services out of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Stadium Road, Woolwich, which serves SE10 residents with moderate to severe presentations. Privately, clinical psychologists in the Greenwich area typically charge between £120 and £180 per session as of July 2026, with assessments often running higher.

When a counsellor is exactly what you need

Counsellors occupy a different and genuinely valuable space. They are not diagnosticians. Most hold a diploma-level qualification accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and their work centres on helping clients process life difficulties, relationship breakdown, workplace stress, bereavement, low-level anxiety, through structured conversation. The threshold for seeing a counsellor is lower, the waiting list is often shorter, and the cost reflects that: many private counsellors in Greenwich charge between £55 and £85 per session, with some offering sliding-scale fees.

The Greenwich Counselling Service, based near Greenwich town centre, provides low-cost therapy starting from £20 per session for those on reduced incomes, and the service has seen referrals increase by roughly 30 percent since January 2025. The Greenwich and Lewisham Young People's Theatre on Burrage Road also runs community wellbeing workshops for under-25s that include facilitated group sessions with trained counsellors, a less clinical entry point that has proven effective for young people reluctant to engage with formal services.

The practical rule of thumb: if your symptoms feel physical, sudden, or severe, including any thoughts of self-harm, call your GP or dial 111 first. If you are managing a known condition and want structured therapy, ask your GP for an NHS Talking Therapies referral or seek a HCPC-registered psychologist. If you are struggling with life stress, a difficult transition, or a relationship problem and your day-to-day functioning is largely intact, a BACP-accredited counsellor is likely your most accessible and proportionate option. None of these doors is the wrong one to knock on. But knowing which one fits your situation means you get the right help faster, and in Greenwich, faster often matters.

For personal health concerns, consult your GP or a qualified local mental health professional.