Frequently Asked Questions

Edinburgh Psychology Services (CBT, therapy, counselling)

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Do I need a GP referral?
No.  We accept self-referrals, meaning you can get in touch directly.  If we think you should speak with a different professional (e.g. a GP or psychiatrist) then we will make that recommendation to you.  99% of our clients are self-referred.
 

Can I self-fund or do I need insurance?
We offer self-funding discounted rates to all our clients.  We understand that there can be long waits for NHS appointments and that sometimes a quick appointment is what is needed.  As a business operating in the city centre, we try hard to keep costs low.
Some of our Associates are registered with different Insurance providers (e.g. BUPA, AXA, Aviva etc.) but these providers do not cover all kinds of therapy, so availability will depend on your practitioner.  However, all of our team offers discounted rates for self-funding.  We accept cash, cheque or online payments (BACS).  We can also offer Employee Assistance funded sessions, payable by your employer.
 

How long do appointments last and are they in-person or online? 
A typical appointment lasts 50 mins.  Each practitioner has their own clinic days and times.  Contact us for more information about availability. We have offices in the heart of the city, by St Andrew Square, giving easy access by train, tram or bus.  All of our team works in a blended  approach, meaning we can see clients face-to-face or online via Zoom or Skype as preferred.   We try to offer a range of appointment times across our team, but the more flexibility you can provide for days and times, the easier it will be for us to allocate you to the most suitable member of our team, including accessing short-notice appointments and cancellations.
 

Can I have a free first session? 
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer free sessions owing to room booking arrangements and the time a practitioner requires to prepare for each consultation.   Sometimes an initial consultation is all that is required, and as ethical practitioners, we do not want to be in a position of trying to sell our services in an initial meeting.  However, we do encourage clients to email us a brief overview of their situation prior to a consultation, to help us triage their enquiry and match them to the most appropriate practitioner, or signpost them elsewhere if appropriate.
 

Is everything we discuss confidential?  Do you write reports to my doctor or employer?
As a private practice of psychologists and therapists, all our client work is strictly confidential.  We do not write reports or contact other health professionals, giving you a safe space to talk about your issues.  If we feel you should speak with another professional, we make that recommendation to you.  If an employer is sponsoring your sessions, then our work remains confidential, with details of attendance being the only thing required for invoicing purposes. 

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What is your cancellation policy?

As a private practice, we hire city centre offices in an excellent location for clients.  We request that clients give us 48 hours' notice for cancellations to avoid a room booking charge and to allow us to offer the appointment to another client.

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Click here to view our Psychology and Therapy fees

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