Great News: You Can Now Use Your Aviva or AXA Insurance at Greenlight Therapy

Disclaimer: The following information is intended for educational purposes and relates to therapeutic services. While therapy can support emotional and psychological wellbeing, it is not a substitute for medical advice. Please consult your GP or healthcare provider regarding specific medical conditions or medication management.

I have some really heart-warming news to share with you today.

If you’ve been feeling like you’re carrying a heavy load lately: perhaps navigating a difficult life transition, managing anxiety, or working through the emotional ripple effect of a health journey: I want you to know that support just became a little more accessible.

I am so pleased to announce that Greenlight Therapy is now an approved provider for both Aviva and AXA health insurance.

Choosing to start therapy is a brave and deeply personal decision.

Often, one of the biggest hurdles isn’t the willingness to do the work, but the practicalities of how to fund it.

By partnering with these major insurance providers, my goal is to create a "soft landing" for those in Birmingham and across the UK who need high-quality, professional support without the immediate weight of private fees.

Why This Matters for Your Mental Wellbeing

When we are struggling, the last thing we need is a complicated administrative process or a financial barrier.

High-quality therapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and person-centred counselling, should be a resource that feels within reach.

Being an accredited provider with Aviva and AXA means that if you have a private healthcare policy: either through your employer or one you’ve set up yourself: you may be able to have your sessions fully or partially covered.

This opens up a world of possibilities for:

• Consistency: Knowing your sessions are covered allows you to commit to the process without financial stress.

• Quality Care: Insurance providers have rigorous vetting processes, so you can feel confident you are working with a dual-accredited, experienced therapist.

• Early Intervention: You don’t have to wait for a "crisis" to seek help. Insurance often allows you to step into therapy as soon as you notice the "check engine light" flickering in your mind.

Using Your Aviva Health Insurance for Therapy

Aviva has a wonderfully supportive approach to mental health.

In many cases, they offer a "mental health pathway" that is designed to get you the right support as quickly as possible.

How to get started with Aviva:

1. Check your policy: Take a look at your documents or log in to your Aviva portal to see what mental health cover you have.

2. Contact Aviva directly: You often don't even need a GP referral. You can call their claims team and explain that you’d like to access therapy.

3. Request Greenlight Therapy: You can mention that you have found an approved therapist (Katie Simpson) that you would like to work with.

4. Receive your authorisation code: Once they approve your request, they will give you a code. Simply bring that to our first session, and I’ll handle the rest of the billing for you.

Using Your AXA Health Insurance for Therapy

AXA is equally committed to helping members find the right therapeutic fit.

They value the importance of short-term, goal-oriented therapy like CBT, which is a core part of what I offer at Greenlight Therapy.

How to get started with AXA:

1. Initial Assessment: Contact AXA to let them know you are looking for psychological support. They may ask for a brief overview of what you are experiencing.

2. Authorisation: They will provide you with an authorisation number and confirm how many sessions your policy covers.

3. Personalised Choice: Tell them you would like to see Katie Simpson at Greenlight Therapy. As an approved provider, I can then link your sessions to your policy.

4. Peace of Mind: With your authorisation in place, we can focus entirely on your healing and growth.

A Hybrid Approach Built Around You

One of the things my clients value most is that therapy doesn't have to happen in a windowless room.

Whether you are using insurance or self-funding, you have access to my full range of flexible, hybrid options.

I believe that therapy should meet you where you are, literally and emotionally.

• Walk-and-Talk Therapy in Birmingham: Sometimes, sitting face-to-face can feel a little intense. Walking side-by-side in one of Birmingham’s beautiful parks allows for a more natural, flowing conversation. The movement of the body often helps the mind "unstick" itself.

• Online Video Therapy: If you have a busy schedule or prefer the comfort of your own home, online sessions provide a safe, confidential space to process your thoughts.

• In-Person Therapy: For those who crave the traditional, quiet sanctuary of a professional therapeutic space, my Birmingham office is a warm and welcoming environment.

Specialist Support: GLP-1 Weight Loss and Life Transitions

Many people seeking therapy through their insurance are navigating significant life changes.

I specialise in supporting clients through the psychological aspects of GLP-1 weight loss therapy (such as Wegovy or Mounjaro).

While these medications are powerful tools for physical health, they often bring up complex emotional "ripples": changes in body image, shifts in social dynamics, or the loss of food as a primary coping mechanism.

Using your insurance to support this journey ensures that you aren't just losing weight, but also gaining the mental resilience needed for a long-term, healthy relationship with yourself.

How therapy can support you:

• Navigating Identity: Who am I as my body changes?

• Managing Anxiety: Developing new tools to handle stress without turning to food.

• Self-Compassion: Learning to speak to yourself with kindness during transitions.

• Sustainable Habits: Building a "brain plan" to accompany your physical plan.

Common Experiences: You Are Not Alone

It is very common to feel a sense of hesitation before calling your insurance provider. Here are a few things others have felt:

"I felt guilty using my insurance for 'just' feeling anxious, but once I started, I realised how much I needed that nourishment for my mind."

"I didn't think walk-and-talk would be covered, but Katie helped me navigate the process, and being outdoors has changed my perspective entirely."

"The authorisation process felt a bit daunting, but it was actually just a ten-minute phone call that led to months of life-changing support."

Gentle Questions for Reflection

Take a moment to sit quietly with these questions. There are no wrong answers: only honest ones.

1. If the cost of therapy was no longer a barrier, what is the first thing you would want to talk about?

2. Does your body feel more at ease in a quiet room, or while walking through a green, open space?

3. What "check engine lights" have been flickering in your mind lately that might need a little attention?

What Can Help Right Now?

If you are feeling overwhelmed, remember that you don't have to figure it all out today.

The most important step is simply acknowledging that you deserve support.

Here is a simple checklist for your next steps:

• Find your policy number: It’s usually on a card or a recent email from your insurer.

• Make the call: Ask your provider about "Outpatient Mental Health Cover."

• Reach out to me: Once you have your authorisation (or even if you just want to ask a question), you can book a session or send a message.

You are navigating a lot, and it is okay to ask for a guide.

Whether we meet on a leafy path in a Birmingham park or via a screen in your living room, I am here to offer a compassionate, non-judgmental space where you can finally be heard.

You don't have to walk this path alone.