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.  It's always best to contact us by our form or by email (info@craigiepartnership.co.uk) 
 

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? 

We invite clients to email us a brief overview their situation so we can effectively triage their enquiries and connect them with the most suitable practitioner or refer them elsewhere if needed.  Unfortunately, we are unable to provide free sessions owing to room booking arrangements and the preparation time required for each consultation.  In some instances an initial consultation may suffice, and as ethical practitioners, we aim to avoid any pressure to sell our services during a complimentary meeting

 

Do you work with children or couples?

Unfortunately, we are unable to work with children.  We do not currently offer couples counselling, although are able to help individuals who wish to discuss relationships as part of their individual therapy or counselling.
 

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 (assuming there is no immediate risk of harm to yourself or another individual or child).   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.   All our practitioners undertake regular supervision with a professional supervisor.  This is to help ensure high standards of professional conduct are met.  All supervision is strictly confidential.

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What happens at a first appointment?

Having arranged a session with your practitioner via email, you will receive an appointment letter with details of the session, payment and directions.  Your practitioner will usually meet you at the front door at the time of your appointment to welcome you.  Our offices are on the 6th floor and water is provided.  The first session is an opportunity to get to know you and explore your situation in more depth.  Your practitioner might suggest some clinically proven symptom checker questionnaires, if appropriate.  They will then give you advice on your situation or arrange a series of follow-up sessions with you.  Sessions are relaxed and friendly.

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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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