What Happens When My Therapy Sessions Run Out?
- Suzie Booth
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
Starting therapy can feel like a huge step...
Many people begin treatment through their private health insurance with an initial authorisation for a set number of sessions. And at first, that might feel like plenty. But as therapy progresses, many clients find themselves wondering...
"What happens when my sessions run out?"
Will therapy suddenly stop?
Can my therapist ask for more sessions?
Will I have to pay privately?
The answer depends on your insurer and your individual policy, but reaching the end of your initial authorised sessions doesn't always mean your therapy has to end.
Why do insurers authorise therapy in blocks?
Most private health insurers authorise an initial block of counselling or psychotherapy rather than approving an unlimited number of sessions from the outset.
This allows them to review:
how you're progressing
whether therapy is helping
whether further treatment is clinically appropriate
what the therapist recommends
The number of sessions authorised varies between insurers, policies and individual circumstances. Some people may receive six sessions. Others may receive eight, ten or more.
The important thing to remember is that an initial authorisation isn't necessarily the maximum amount of therapy your insurer will fund.
Can my therapist request more sessions?
Often, yes.
If both you and your therapist feel that further work would be beneficial, your therapist may be able to submit a clinical review or treatment report to your insurer.
The exact process varies depending on the insurer.
Your therapist may be asked to explain:
why you originally came to therapy
the goals you have been working towards
the progress you have made
the difficulties that remain
why further therapy is being recommended
Your insurer will then review this information before deciding whether to authorise additional sessions. It's important to remember that your therapist can make a recommendation, but the final decision rests with the insurer.
Does asking for more sessions mean therapy isn't working?
Not at all.
This is one of the biggest misconceptions I hear. Many people worry that needing additional sessions somehow means they've 'failed' or that therapy isn't helping.
In reality, it's often the opposite.
As therapy develops, people frequently begin exploring deeper patterns, long-standing difficulties or experiences they hadn't previously recognised.
That doesn't mean therapy has stopped working.
It often means the work has reached a different stage. The aim of therapy isn't simply to reduce symptoms as quickly as possible. For many people, it's about creating meaningful and lasting change. Sometimes that takes longer than an initial block of sessions.
What happens if my insurer says no?
Sometimes an insurer decides that further sessions won't be authorised. If that happens, it doesn't mean your difficulties aren't real. It simply means the insurer has decided that your treatment no longer meets the criteria within your policy.
If this happens, you still have options.
Some clients decide that the work they've completed feels like a natural ending. Others choose to continue privately because they feel there is more they would like to explore. Your therapist should discuss these options with you so that you can decide what feels right for your circumstances.
Can I continue seeing the same therapist privately?
In many cases, yes.
If your insurance-funded sessions come to an end and you wish to continue, you may be able to arrange private appointments directly with your therapist. This means that future sessions are no longer subject to your insurer's authorisation process.
You and your therapist can instead decide together how often to meet and when therapy feels ready to end. If you're considering this, it's worth asking your therapist about their private fees before your insurance-funded sessions finish, so you have plenty of time to think about your options.
How will I know if I'm ready to finish therapy?
There isn't a fixed number of sessions that is right for everyone. Some people achieve what they hoped to within a relatively short period of time. Others benefit from longer-term work.
Towards the end of therapy, you and your therapist might reflect on questions such as:
Have my original goals changed?
Am I responding differently to situations that used to feel overwhelming?
Do I feel more able to cope independently?
Are there areas I would still like to explore?
Ending therapy doesn't have to happen suddenly. Where possible, it's usually helpful to spend some time reviewing your progress and bringing the work to a thoughtful close.
Talking about the end of therapy
It's completely normal to feel anxious as your authorised sessions come to an end. You may worry that you're not 'better enough' yet. You may feel uncertain about what happens next. Or you may simply feel sad that a supportive relationship is changing.
These are important conversations to have with your therapist.
Ending therapy is often a meaningful part of the therapeutic process itself. Taking time to reflect on what you've achieved, what you've learned and what you'll take forward can help you leave therapy feeling more confident in your ability to manage life's challenges.
Looking for a therapist recognised by your health insurer?
I provide counselling and psychotherapy for adults in Horsham, West Sussex, and online across the UK.
I am recognised by:
Bupa
AXA Health
Aviva
Vitality
WPA
Cigna
Health Assured
If you're approaching the end of your authorised sessions, or you're considering starting therapy through your private health insurance, I'd be happy to discuss how I may be able to help.
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