Last year, 1.8 million people contacted NHS Talking Therapies for help. Only a third received a course of therapy, and only a sixth recovered — over one million people dropped out. In 2024–25 the NHS spent £1 billion on the service, at an average £166 per completed session, ranging £125–£300 by region.

We’re concerned there is not yet enough scrutiny of these dropout rates — both because they waste public funds, and because many people who leave the service report it simply didn’t meet their needs. We’ve written to NHS Trusts and Integrated Care Boards nationally setting out these concerns in detail, area by area.

Understanding a system like this can feel complex — but it doesn’t need to. That’s why we’re passionate about sharing what we know, so that together we can help bring an end to such high dropout rates.

— from our letter to local councillors

High dropout and attrition rates within NHS Talking Therapies. The growing use of AI and automation within therapeutic settings — millions of NHS sessions are now processed by global data companies developing fully autonomous AI therapy platforms. The erosion of compassion, relational care and human connection within mental health services.

The impact current models are having on accessibility, engagement and outcomes for residents. And the high average cost of each NHS therapy session — set against how many are actually completed. Talking Therapies is organised on a formulaic model that maximises standardisation and speed, and the therapist–client relationship is often undervalued in favour of technique and data.