How to Write a Psychologist Letter to GP: Template, Tips, and EHR Benefits

Participation of mental health specialists in primary health care activities is the most significant direction of psychiatric service modernization. The determining role is played by the nature of professional interaction between general practitioners (GPs), psychiatrists, medical psychologists and social workers.

Clinical-psychological and psychiatric support is characterized by the psychiatrist delegating part of his diagnostic and management competencies to clinicians while reserving his educational and coordination functions. An invaluable element of this model is the training and continuous professional support of the activities of health professionals by a psychotherapist working in a clinic.

Psychotherapy rooms in hospitals and private practices emphasize the formation of individualized professional relationships through joint conferences and examinations, dynamic observation of patients, and the implementation of progress reports.

The psychiatrist shows the practitioners the possibilities of various approaches while discussing the mental health care plans in supervised patients. However, he also gradually delegates some functions to the district doctor for the protection of mental health.

Needless to say, the cooperation of these specialists is a must in a proper treatment. The most widespread way of collecting and discussing patient's anamnesis and making a joint treatment plan is writing a referral letter, or letter of recommendation. A well-structured psychologist letter to GP template helps ensure that no critical clinical detail is missed and that both clinicians are working from the same picture of the patient's needs.

In this article you'll learn about:

• Difficulties in the interaction of a GP and a psychiatrist
• What a psychologist letter to GP template should include
• A full annotated template you can adapt for your practice
• How to write each section clearly and professionally
• The benefits of EHR in compiling referral letters
• Frequently asked questions about GP correspondence

Difficulties in the Interaction of a GP and a Psychiatrist

When we discuss different approaches to medicare, we see two sides of the same coin.

Clinicians believe that releasing or increasing anxiety during psychotherapy will lead to undermining the positive effect of drug treatment.

In cases of stimulant use patients may experience extreme aggression, which requires immediate psychiatric intervention and careful coordination with a GP to ensure a comprehensive treatment approach.

Medical psychologists see the problem in another way: the reduction of anxiety, quickly achieved through psychotropic therapy, leads to the avoidance of personal activity in general and the active role of the patient in the process of psychological correction and psychiatry in particular.

The above-mentioned concerns are very common and have been the subject of many discussions (NHS England, for example). The task of both groups of specialists is to reduce the issues to a minimum.

So, we consider that the only way to provide the best mental health services is to come to a compromise in the treatment of patients. Writing referral letters is the first step.

Let's discuss the core elements of a sample letter.

Psychologist Letter to GP Template: Full Example

Before breaking down each section individually, it helps to see what a complete, well-written psychologist letter to a GP looks like in practice. The example below reflects best practice standards for 2026 and can be adapted to suit your own clinical setting.

[Date]

Dr. [GP's Full Name] [Practice Name] [Practice Address] [City, Postcode]

Re: [Patient's Full Name], DOB: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Dear Dr. [GP's Surname],

Thank you for referring [Patient's Name], whom I met for an initial consultation on [date].

Presenting Concerns [Patient's Name] presented with [brief description of main complaint, e.g., symptoms consistent with generalised anxiety disorder, including persistent worry, sleep disruption, and avoidance behaviours]. She/He/They reported that symptoms have been present for approximately [X months/years] and have had a significant impact on [work/relationships/daily functioning].

Relevant History [Patient's Name] has a previous history of [relevant psychiatric or medical history]. There is [no/a] history of prior psychological treatment. Family history is [relevant detail if applicable]. No significant substance use was reported.

Psychometric Assessment [Patient's Name] completed the [assessment tool, e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, DASS-21] at the time of the initial session. Results indicated [brief interpretation, e.g., moderate depression and severe anxiety symptoms].

Mental State Examination At assessment, [Patient's Name] presented as [appearance, behaviour, affect, speech, thought content, insight]. No suicidal ideation or intent was identified at the time of assessment. [If applicable: She/He/They disclosed passive thoughts of self-harm, which were discussed and a safety plan was established.]

Current Medications and Allergies [Patient's Name] is currently taking [medications] and has [no known/the following] allergies: [list].

Treatment Plan Treatment will involve:

• [Therapy modality, e.g., Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)]
• [Session frequency, e.g., weekly individual sessions for 12 weeks]
• [Any additional referrals or recommended investigations]

I would welcome your thoughts on whether a medication review would be appropriate at this stage, particularly given [specific clinical reason if relevant].

I will write to you again following [the 6th session / completion of the assessment phase] with a progress update. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions regarding [Patient's Name]'s care.

Yours sincerely,

[Your Full Name] [Your Professional Title, e.g., Clinical Psychologist / Chartered Psychologist] [Registration Number, e.g., HCPC No. PYXXXXX] [Practice Name] [Phone Number] [Email Address]

This template covers every element a GP needs to continue coordinating care effectively. The sections below explain what to include in each part and why it matters.

The Core Elements of a Referral Letter

The templates and structure of letters vary from center to center, but here we have compiled the obligatory elements you must include no matter what.

#1. Information about the patient

First you need details about a referrer (you) and your client. Identification information includes the date of birth (DOB), age, sex, marital status, and occupation. You may also write down the date and type of visit, your initial assessments and the reason for writing the letter.

Always include your own registration number and practice contact details in the header or sign-off. GPs need to be able to reach you quickly if a patient's situation changes between sessions.

#2. The main complaint

The next step is to state a current problem. As a psychiatrist, you may include such diagnoses as psychosis, eating disorder, anxiety, or even a personality disorder. It is also appropriate to note how the main complaint affects the life and behaviour of a patient.

Be specific about functional impact. Rather than stating that a patient "experiences anxiety," note that they have reduced their working hours, withdrawn from social activities, or are avoiding specific environments. This level of detail helps the GP understand urgency and priority.

#3. Anamnesis of the disease

This is without a doubt one of the most important paragraphs. A referring GP should have a detailed picture of the problem's history. Your colleague will benefit from past psychiatric history with influencing events, past drug history, past diagnoses, and medical problems.

#4. Client's personal history

There is no need to repeat the anamnesis here. However, you may add some relevant facts about a client's personality, meaning sexual orientation, current employment status, character, traumatic experience of communicating with people and so on. Several of these facts may alter a subsequent treatment.

#5. Mental state examination and evaluation

This part of a letter contains your subjective evaluations of a patient's speech, behaviour, thoughts and cognitive functions. Formulation and appearance are other things to mention.

For instance, as a dietician you can also screen for suicidal thoughts, because they often accompany eating disorders and depression.

Where standardised psychometric tools have been used, include the results here. Citing a PHQ-9 score of 18 or a GAD-7 score in the severe range gives the GP an objective reference point that complements your clinical narrative.

#6. Drug or medical history

Allergies, chronic conditions, drug use, previous prescriptions for medication, and current test results should be mentioned. Also, whether a person used to have any side effects while on medication. In general, you need to state everything you consider significant about a patient's health condition.

#7. Preliminary diagnosis and planning

Preliminary diagnosis is important, even if you are not completely sure about it. Provide your predictions and treatment suggestions for a referring caregiver. According to your letter, a GP will make his own diagnostic assessment.

Be clear about what you are asking the GP to do. Whether you are requesting a medication review, blood panel, or simply informing them of the treatment you have commenced, a direct and specific request prevents delays and miscommunication.

Thus, by combining efforts and observations, you will achieve the most efficient treatment results.

Tone, Clarity, and Professional Standards in 2026

The way psychologists write to GPs has evolved significantly. Guidance from the Royal College of Psychiatrists emphasises that letters should be written with the understanding that the patient may also read them. This does not mean avoiding clinical language, but it does mean using respectful, accurate, and non-stigmatising phrasing throughout.

A few practical principles to keep in mind:

Use plain language where possible. Avoid jargon that a GP outside your subspecialty may not be familiar with. If you use a clinical term, briefly define it in context.

Write one letter, not multiple versions. Best practice in 2026 calls for a single letter that is sent to the GP and copied to the patient, unless the patient has explicitly declined to receive a copy. This reduces administrative burden and supports transparency.

Keep it proportionate. For an initial session summary, one to two pages is appropriate. A longer treatment update may warrant more detail, but avoid padding with unnecessary background that the GP already holds.

State your conclusions clearly. Do not bury your key clinical concerns in the middle of a paragraph. Lead with the most important information and use formatting (such as bullet points for treatment plans) to improve readability.

Include follow-up timing. GPs value knowing when to expect your next communication. Stating "I will update you following the sixth session" gives them a clear timeline and reduces the need for follow-up calls.

These standards apply whether you are writing an initial post-assessment letter, a mid-treatment update, or a discharge summary.

The Benefits of EHR in Compiling Referral Letters

Implementing electronic health records (EHR) facilitates your communication with the colleagues. By using electronic software, you are able to exchange referral letters without interrupting your normal workflow. Moreover, you can increase the time of face-to-face appointments by reducing manual paperwork.

Medical correspondence between a psychiatrist and a GP, as well as recording a client's progress, differs greatly from other specialists' paperwork. Psychiatrist's assessment is partly subjective, so the EHR's built-in templates and questionnaires help to more objectively evaluate a patient's condition and, accordingly, compose an accurate letter for a referring GP.

With the Medesk "New Patient Letter" template all the necessary paragraphs and sections are pre-made. You only need to fill in the information about the client and send it to the practitioner.

The letter is divided into several sections for your convenience:

• General information
• Drug history
• Mental state examination
• And CC

You also have an option to choose an ICD-10 code to make a preliminary diagnosis, and fill out a section for planning and other information.

As you can see, referral letters are a well-established way of achieving consensus between professionals from different medical fields. Don't forget to use it!

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a psychologist letter to a GP be?

For an initial session summary, one to two pages is generally appropriate. The letter should be concise enough to read quickly but detailed enough to give the GP a clear clinical picture. If psychometric results, a full mental state examination, and a treatment plan are all included, two pages is a reasonable target. Avoid padding with information the GP already holds in the patient's medical record.

Does a GP letter from a psychologist need to follow a specific format?

There is no single mandatory format, but most clinical settings and professional bodies recommend a consistent structure that covers patient details, presenting concerns, relevant history, assessment findings, and a treatment plan. Using a standardised psychologist letter to GP template, such as one built into your EHR system, reduces the risk of omitting key sections and saves time across your caseload.

Should the patient receive a copy of the letter sent to their GP?

Yes, in most cases. Current best practice guidance, including from the Royal College of Psychiatrists, states that patients should receive a copy of any letter written about them unless they have specifically declined. Writing with the patient in mind as a reader encourages clearer, more respectful language and supports the therapeutic relationship.

What should I do if I am not sure of the diagnosis when writing to a GP?

Include your provisional or differential diagnosis and make clear that it is preliminary. A statement such as "findings are consistent with a presentation of [condition], though further assessment is required" is more useful to a GP than no diagnostic impression at all. Providing your clinical reasoning alongside any uncertainty helps the GP make an informed decision about concurrent management.

When should a psychologist send a follow-up letter to a GP?

Most clinicians send an initial letter after the first session and a follow-up after the sixth session or at the end of a defined treatment phase. For high-risk patients, interim letters may be appropriate sooner. Setting a clear expectation in your initial letter (for example, "I will update you following session six") reduces the likelihood of the GP contacting you for updates in the interim.

Can I use a template for every GP letter I write?

A template provides a reliable structure, but each letter should be individually completed with patient-specific detail. Sending a generic or incomplete letter is worse than sending no letter at all. Use your template as a framework and ensure that every section is tailored to the individual patient's clinical presentation, history, and treatment plan.