If a person chooses to access treatment outside the public system, they are choosing a ‘private’ pathway, in that the treatment and the treating clinician is not part of the public health system, and often will work independently. This private pathway sometimes refers to undergoing an assessment with a private hospital with a view to being admitted to that hospital for inpatient or outpatient treatment. The cost for that treatment will be borne by the individual (as opposed to the state which funds the public system).

The private pathway does not always mean admittance to a private hospital however, and there is also the choice of attending a private psychotherapist/clinician for treatment, which although will cost the individual, is also often an affordable option. If cost is an issue, it is important to note that many private therapists offer a ‘sliding scale’ fee structure.