Anxiety and Depression: Same-Day Private GP Support in London
If you are struggling with anxiety or depression and cannot get an NHS appointment, The Online GP by The Wellness provides same-day private GP consultations for mental health concerns. Phone appointments start from £49, in-person from £79. Over 2 million people in England are estimated to be waiting for NHS mental health treatment, with talking therapy waits of 16 to 18 weeks and specialist psychiatric assessments taking 6 to 12 months in many areas. Our GMC-registered doctors can assess your symptoms, prescribe medication where appropriate, arrange blood tests to rule out physical causes, issue fit notes if work is affected, and refer you to private therapists or psychiatrists, all on the same day. Your consultation is completely confidential.
Book a Mental Health Consultation - WhatsApp | Email: team@thewellnesslondon.com | Call: 020 3951 3429
If you are in crisis, call 999, go to A&E, or call the Samaritans free on 116 123.
Why Waiting Months for Mental Health Support Is Not Acceptable
Mental health conditions do not pause while you wait for an appointment. Anxiety left untreated tends to escalate. Depression untreated tends to deepen. Sleep deteriorates. Work performance declines. Relationships strain. The longer you wait, the harder recovery becomes.
The NHS mental health waiting time crisis is well documented. NHS Talking Therapies reports average waits of 16 to 18 weeks for a first appointment across England. Community mental health team assessments can take 6 to 12 months. And the initial GP appointment, where treatment often starts with a prescription for an SSRI, is itself subject to the same two-week-plus waiting times that affect all NHS primary care.
A private GP consultation eliminates this bottleneck. At The Online GP by The Wellness, you can be assessed, diagnosed, and started on treatment the same day you contact us. This is not a shortcut. It is the same standard of medical care, delivered without the systemic delay that the NHS cannot currently avoid.
What Happens in a Mental Health Consultation
Our doctors create a safe, unhurried space for you to talk. Mental health consultations require more time than most medical appointments, which is why the longer format of private GP consultations is so valuable.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, their duration, severity, and impact on your daily life. They will explore potential triggers and contributing factors including work stress, relationship difficulties, life changes, financial worries, bereavement, and physical health problems. They will screen for co-existing conditions, as anxiety and depression frequently occur together and can also overlap with physical conditions. They will discuss your medical history and any previous mental health treatment. And they will ask about physical symptoms that may suggest an underlying medical cause, such as thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, or hormonal imbalance.
Based on this assessment, your doctor will explain their clinical impression, discuss treatment options, and develop a plan with you. This is collaborative, not prescriptive. Your preferences, concerns, and goals are central to the plan.
Treatment Options Your Private GP Can Offer
Medication. If your doctor determines that medication is appropriate, they can prescribe antidepressants (SSRIs such as sertraline or citalopram are usually first-line), anti-anxiety medication, sleep medication on a short-term basis where needed, and beta-blockers for physical anxiety symptoms (palpitations, tremor) where appropriate. Your doctor will explain how the medication works, expected timescales for improvement (SSRIs typically take 2 to 4 weeks to reach full effect), potential side effects, and how long treatment is usually continued. Prescriptions are included in the consultation fee.
Blood tests to rule out physical causes. Thyroid dysfunction, iron deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin B12 deficiency, and diabetes can all cause or worsen symptoms of anxiety and depression. A targeted blood panel at the same appointment can identify these treatable conditions. If a physical cause is found, addressing it may significantly improve your mental health.
Fit notes and workplace documentation. If anxiety or depression is affecting your ability to work, your doctor can issue a fit note (the legal document for sickness absence) on the same day. They can also provide medical letters for employers recommending workplace adjustments if appropriate.
Specialist referral. If your doctor determines that specialist input would be beneficial, we refer directly to private psychiatrists (for complex medication management, diagnostic clarification, or treatment-resistant conditions), clinical psychologists and CBT therapists (for structured psychological therapy), and counsellors (for supportive therapy, grief, relationship difficulties, and adjustment issues). Private specialist appointments are typically available within days to weeks.
Follow-up. Mental health conditions benefit from ongoing monitoring, particularly in the first weeks after starting medication. Your doctor will arrange a follow-up appointment (usually 2 to 4 weeks after starting treatment) to assess progress, manage side effects, and adjust the plan as needed.
Confidentiality: Complete and Non-Negotiable
Your mental health consultation at The Online GP by The Wellness is completely confidential. Nothing is shared with your NHS GP, employer, insurer, or anyone else without your explicit written consent.
This matters because many patients fear that a mental health diagnosis on their medical record could affect their career, insurance premiums, or how they are perceived by future healthcare providers. While these concerns are often overstated (mental health conditions are extremely common and should carry no stigma), we respect your right to privacy. If you want your consultation kept entirely private, it remains entirely private.
If you would like us to communicate with your NHS GP (for example, so they can continue a prescription on the NHS, saving you the ongoing cost of private prescriptions), we will do so only with your explicit agreement.
International Students and Expats
Mental health difficulties do not discriminate by nationality. International students adjusting to life in a new country, expats dealing with the stress of relocation, and visitors experiencing anxiety or depression during their time in London all deserve prompt, compassionate care.
At The Online GP by The Wellness, no NHS registration is required. Our multilingual doctors speak English, Arabic, Spanish, French, and Dutch. We understand the unique stressors faced by people living away from their home country, their support networks, and their familiar healthcare systems. If you are an international patient struggling with your mental health, we are here for you, the same day you reach out.
International Patient Mental Health - WhatsApp
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a private GP help with anxiety and depression? Yes. Assessment, diagnosis, medication, blood tests, fit notes, and specialist referral, all same-day.
How long is the NHS wait? Talking therapies: 16 to 18 weeks. Psychiatric assessment: 6 to 12 months. GP appointment: often 2+ weeks.
Is it confidential? Completely. Nothing shared without your explicit consent.
Can you prescribe antidepressants? Yes. SSRIs, SNRIs, and other medications where clinically appropriate. Included in consultation fee.
Should I have blood tests? Your doctor may recommend them to rule out thyroid, iron, vitamin D, or B12 deficiency. Available at the same appointment.
Can you refer me to a therapist? Yes. Direct referral to private psychiatrists, psychologists, CBT therapists, and counsellors.
What if I am in crisis? Call 999, go to A&E, or call Samaritans free on 116 123. A private GP consultation is for non-emergency mental health concerns.
The Online GP by The Wellness provides private doctor-led healthcare from our Marylebone clinic. Confidential mental health consultations from £49. Contact us on WhatsApp at +44 7961 280835, email team@thewellnesslondon.com, or call 020 3951 3429. If you are in crisis: 999, A&E, or Samaritans 116 123.
References
NHS England. NHS Talking Therapies waiting times data. Updated 2026.
Mind. Mental health statistics. Updated 2025.
NICE. Depression in adults: treatment and management. NG222. Updated 2024.
NICE. Generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder in adults. CG113. Updated 2024.
GMC. Confidentiality: good practice in handling patient information. Updated 2024.
