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How do I schedule an appointment with you?

To schedule an initial consultation for counselling in Edinburgh or online counselling, please email us stating what times are preferable for you, and a little about why you are seeking counselling. We always aim to respond to emails within 48 hours, although we may not respond out of office hours. You can also fill out a contact form through our website, or book directly through our online booking form. For regular clients, there is no need to book online, we organise our next appointment at the end of each session. 

 

Are my sessions with you private?

Yes. All therapists here take your privacy very seriously and discuss confidentiality with you in our first session. The Edinburgh Counselling Service is GDPR compliant and never share or sell any data we may hold. 

 

What are your prices?

Face to face or online counselling sessions for individuals are £60 per appointment. Counselling for couples, families or groups in Edinburgh are £80 per 50 minute appointment or £130 per 90 minute appointment.

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What is your cancellation policy?

All therapists at The Edinburgh Counselling Service operate a 72 hour cancellation policy for regular appointments. There is no charge if you cancel or reschedule your appointment with at least 72 hours notice. Missed sessions, and sessions cancelled with less than 72 hours notice, are charged the full fee. Please note that due to high demand, initial consultations are non-refundable. By booking an appointment with us, you are agreeing to abide by our cancellation policy.

 

How many sessions will I need?

The number of sessions varies enormously and depends on what issues you bring, and we will discuss this at your first session. You don’t have to decide then how many sessions you’d like - we can continue to check in with you throughout your counselling. We tend to suggest starting with 6 if you are unsure, then we can check in and see if you would like to extend. Counselling can be open-ended and there is no maximum limit on the number of sessions you can have. You can find out how you can get the most out of your counselling sessions here. 

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How long are appointments?

We offer a range of services, session lengths, and pricing options to help counselling fit people's lives. A typical appointment lasts 50 minutes, although longer or shorter appointments may be available upon request. 

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How do I pay?

Payment is by bank transfer. We ask for payment at time of booking.

 

How often are appointments?

Each therapeutic session is normally on the same day and time each week to facilitate consistency in the work. Some therapists do offer some flexibility with this, which you are welcome to discuss at your first session. If you would like to check your therapist's regular availability before booking an initial consultation, you are very welcome to email us or check their availability on their therapist profile.

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How does counselling/ psychotherapy work?

In the initial consultation, you and your therapist will explore what has brought you to counselling, your expectations for counselling and what your counselling goals are. You will also discuss confidentiality, the therapeutic contracting process, and how things would proceed going forward, should you and your therapist decide that counselling with The Edinburgh Counselling Service is right for you. There is no obligation to return to counselling should you not feel therapy with The Edinburgh Counselling Service is right for you - what is most important is that you find someone who you feel can best support you. From there, you will most likely have weekly sessions on the same day and time (exceptions to this are possible, but please do check before booking in). Each session will be different depending on what you wish to focus on. Occasionally we will have therapy reviews to check in with how you think the therapy is going for you, and if there is anything in our approach you would like to modify, or if you feel you are ready to leave therapy. Please see our article ‘How Therapy Works’ for a more detailed account of what to expect.

 

Should I go for Counselling or Psychotherapy?

The terms counselling and psychotherapy are often used interchangeably, so please don’t worry too much about which type of therapy you would like to go for. Generally speaking, counselling is focused more in the present and in our day-to-day life. Psychotherapy tends to focus more on the past and goes more in-depth into how our past experiences and difficulties can have an impact on us in the present. Most of our therapists draw from different schools of thought in our counselling practice. 

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What if I don't feel my therapist is a good fit?

It's important that you feel comfortable, heard and understood by your therapist. If at any point you feel that your current therapist isn't the right fit for you, please don't hesitate to mention it to them, so that they can assist. We are here to help you find the support that works best for you, whether that is with The Edinburgh Counselling Service or another service. If you don't feel your therapist is a good fit for your needs, we can discuss your concerns and explore options, including the possibility of matching you with a different therapist. If you feel more comfortable, you are welcome to reach out directly to Hannah who will be happy to assist you further. 

 

Why might I be referred on to another therapist or service?

Your well-being is our top priority, and sometimes that means connecting you with another professional or service that may be better suited to your needs. You might be referred to a different therapist or service, for example, if your needs require a specific expertise that another therapist possesses, or if there is a better-suited service elsewhere that can offer more specialised or relevant support. These referrals are made to ensure you receive the most effective and appropriate care. Where possible, we try to identify this during the initial consultation but on some occasions, this can’t be ascertained until later on during the therapeutic process. If at any point your therapist feels they may not be the best fit for you, we will try to recommend an alternative service or therapist who is. Working within our competence is crucial to providing effective and ethical support. This is in accordance with the ethical guidelines laid out by the major counselling membership bodies, such as the BACP, COSCA and the NCPS. Making appropriate referrals is part of our professional responsibility and is always done with your best interests in mind, ensuring you receive the most suitable support for your specific needs.

 

What if I am unhappy with the service I have been provided? 

We are committed to providing high-quality care and want to ensure that your experience is positive. If you are unhappy with the service you’ve received, we encourage you to share your concerns with us. You can speak directly with your therapist, or if you prefer, contact Hannah to discuss the issue confidentially. We take all feedback seriously and will work with you to address your concerns and improve your experience. You are welcome to fill out our feedback form or read more about our complaints procedure. 

 

I require immediate support. Who should I contact?

If you require immediate or urgent help, please find some helpful resources below:
NHS 24

Call 111 or if you think you need an emergency ambulance, call 999 and speak to the operator.

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The Samaritans

Call 116 123 (Free call, day or night, 365 days a year)

Edinburgh Crisis Centre

Call 0808 801 0414 (Free call, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Text: 0797 442 9075
Email: crisis@edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk

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Breathing Space

Call: 0800 83 85 87 (free call) 

Opening hours: Weekdays: Monday – Thursday 6pm to 2am
Weekends: Friday 6pm to Monday 6am.