In the past few months alone, I have received around a dozen requests for information from American psychotherapists considering a move to London. Many want to understand how I transitioned my Santa Monica private practice to London, and what a similar transition might involve for them.
Moving your practice abroad involves navigating professional registration, permission to live and work in another country, and the realities of building a practice. Professional titles, training requirements and registration pathways differ between countries. A California MFT licence, for example, does not translate directly into UK psychotherapy or psychologist registration, even when there is overlap in clinical training and experience. Decisions rest with the relevant national regulatory authorities.
The practical differences matter too. Diagnostic roles, insurance recognition, local fees and tax treatment can all affect how you work and what you earn. In the UK, Value Added Tax (VAT), normally charged at 20% on taxable services, can create a substantial financial difference between practices, depending on professional registration and the services provided.
What might your qualifications allow you to do? Which registration pathway could be appropriate? What fees could your intended market support? Would the move be financially sustainable?
These are questions I understand personally. I learned many of these differences the hard way, through trial and error and navigating unfamiliar systems. My consultations draw on that experience to help you anticipate challenges and make informed decisions.
For those already practising, consultations can also explore positioning your work, attracting suitable clients, setting fees and building a sustainable practice. Clinical training does not always prepare us for these aspects of working independently.
I appreciate the interest in my experience. Alongside my clinical work and writing, however, I cannot give these questions the attention they deserve through informal correspondence. I am therefore offering paid professional consultations, providing dedicated time to focus on your circumstances and next steps.
Consultations are tailored to the questions you bring, with particular insight into the professional systems of the UK, the United States and Sweden. Please contact me with a brief outline of your circumstances and what you would like to explore. Fees are agreed according to the nature and scope of the consultation.
Isobel Gardner, CPsych, LMFT is a Chartered and Licensed Clinical and Counselling Psychologist and trauma specialist in the UK, and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in the US (CA). She offers individual and couples therapy in the Harley Street district of London and online internationally.