CBT Therapy in Edinburgh

My fee is £80 per 50-minute session (online or in-person). I work weekly wherever possible, as consistency leads to the best outcomes. For clients using health insurance, sessions are billed at the rate approved by the insurer. I offer a small number of reduced-fee places for those on low incomes or in full-time study. These are limited and may have a waiting list. If you feel you may qualify, please enquire.

CBT can be highly effective in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety disorders, depression, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and many others. It provides practical tools and strategies to help you manage distressing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a form of psychotherapy that focuses on understanding the connection between thoughts, emotions and behaviours. It aims to identify and change negative patterns of thinking and behaviour to improve overall mental well-being.

In CBT sessions, we will work collaboratively to explore and understand your specific concerns. Together, we will identify unhelpful thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to your difficulties. I will help you develop personalised coping strategies and techniques to address these challenges.

I completely understand that sometimes unexpected events can interfere with your appointments. I ask that you give at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. This will allow me to make the time slot available to another client. If you do need to cancel or reschedule, please contact me as soon as possible via email. If you happen to miss a session without giving prior notice, please note that the session fee will still apply. Although regular attendance and active participation at therapy sessions has been proven to predict better treatment outcomes, I acknowledge that life can be unpredictable. If you have any concerns or require changes to our schedule, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to work with you to find the most suitable solution.

The duration of CBT treatment can vary depending on individual needs and the nature of the issue being addressed. Typically, CBT is a time-limited therapy that spans between 6 to 20 sessions. However, I will assess your progress regularly and discuss the estimated duration of your treatment with you.

Yes, I am a qualified and experienced CBT therapist. I hold relevant certificates, qualifications and professional memberships in recognised psychological associations. I regularly participate in ongoing professional development to ensure I stay up-to-date with the latest approaches.

CBT is considered a versatile therapy that can benefit a wide range of individuals. However, the suitability of CBT depends on your specific needs and circumstances. During the initial assessment, I will evaluate your situation to determine if CBT is the most appropriate treatment approach for you. If not, I may recommend alternative therapies or refer you to other professionals who can better address your concerns.

You can get in touch with me via email or by filling out my contact form and we'll set up a time to talk. I offer a free initial consultation to see how we can work together. I'm happy to walk you through the process and address any other inquiries you might have. If you would like to book an appointment after that, we can arrange it on a week by week basis. .

Yes, client confidentiality is of utmost importance to me. I adhere to strict professional and legal guidelines regarding the privacy and protection of your personal information. I maintain confidentiality unless there is an immediate risk of harm to yourself or others, or if required by law.

In some cases, CBT can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches or used in conjunction with medication. This will depend on your specific needs and circumstances. We can discuss the best approach during our sessions and collaborate with other healthcare professionals if necessary.

In cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), homework refers to the assignments or tasks that you will get to complete outside of the therapy session. These assignments are designed to help you practice and apply the skills and strategies you have learned in therapy to your everyday life. ​ CBT homework assignments can take various forms, such as reading a specific chapter of a self-help book, keeping a thought diary, practising relaxation techniques or gradually exposing yourself to feared situations. The aim of these tasks is to help you to develop and strengthen new cognitive and behavioural skills, which in turn can lead to improved mental health and well-being. ​ Homework assignments are a crucial part of CBT, as they allow you to take an active role in your therapy and can help to reinforce the progress made during the therapy session. Completing homework assignments can also help build momentum and lead to more significant improvements in a shorter amount of time.

Some goals of CBT include: 1. Identify and challenge negative thinking patterns: One of the main goals of CBT is to help you recognize negative thinking patterns that contribute to your emotional distress and replace them with more positive and accurate thoughts. 2. Develop coping skills: Another goal of CBT is to help you develop practical coping skills to deal with stressful situations and difficult emotions. 3. Improve communication skills: CBT can help you to improve your communication skills and learn how to express your needs and feelings more effectively. 4. Change negative behaviours: CBT can help you to identify and change negative behaviours that contribute to your emotional distress, such as avoidance or substance misuse. 5. Reduce symptoms: Finally, the goal of CBT is to reduce symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and many other difficulties. ​​

CBT can benefit you in many ways, including: 1. Improved mood: CBT can help you improve your mood by teaching practical coping skills and allowing you to identify and challenge negative thinking patterns. 2. Better relationships: CBT can improve communication skills, leading to better relationships with others. 3. Reduced symptoms: CBT effectively reduces symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety. 4. Increased self-awareness: CBT can help you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, which can help you to make positive changes in your life. 5. Long-term benefits: CBT is a skills-based therapy, which means that the skills you learn in treatment can be applied to other situations throughout your life, leading to long-term benefits.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective for treating OCD. It focuses on identifying and challenging unhelpful thoughts (obsessions) and gradually reducing compulsive behaviors through a method called Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP). ERP helps people face their fears without performing compulsions, leading to long-term relief and better management of OCD symptoms.