The Edinburgh Centre for Psychodynamic Therapy (ECPT) stands out for its commitment to accessible, inclusive, and deeply reflective counselling services. Rooted in the values of equality and openness, ECPT aims to make high-quality psychotherapy available to individuals from all walks of life.

Their counselling approach uniquely blends psychodynamic and existential frameworks, offering clients a space to explore both unconscious emotional patterns and broader questions of meaning, freedom, and connection. This dual focus allows clients to gain insight into how past experiences shape present challenges while addressing universal human concerns.

ECPT’s services are designed for individuals seeking long-term therapeutic engagement, emphasizing steady self-exploration and personal growth. Sessions are typically open-ended, encouraging deeper reflection and lasting change rather than short-term symptom management.

Affordability and accessibility are key strengths of ECPT’s model, with reduced-cost therapy provided by supervised trainee therapists. Their monthly fee structure and flexible in-person or online options make it easier for clients to access consistent support.

The centre also promotes an innovative, community-oriented approach through its research and training branches. By inviting public contributions and developing new training pathways, ECPT strengthens its role in shaping the future of mental health care in Scotland.

Clients benefit from a compassionate and non-judgmental environment where therapy is seen as a collaborative process. The emphasis on mutual respect and the belief that individuals are experts in their own experience fosters genuine empowerment and trust.

While ECPT is still a growing organisation, its mission to challenge elitism in psychotherapy and lower financial barriers reflects a modern and socially conscious approach to counselling. For those seeking thoughtful, relational, and affordable therapy in Edinburgh, ECPT provides an excellent and evolving choice.

Great experience

“I had a great experience as a trainee practitioner with ECPT and would recommend it to both therapists and clients.”

Great organisation

“Really great organisation. Very prompt organisational emails/replies, and very affordable, high-quality trainee counselling available that really helped me out. I know that the org is relatively young and I look forward to seeing them grow and further establish a psychodynamic presence in Edinburgh.”

My Solution Wellbeing Counselling Edinburgh works with clients of all ages, making it a good place for families who have kids and teens, and for couples and adults. 

It’s nice to know that they cover many services: from anxiety and depression counselling to trauma therapy, life coaching, and ADHD assessments. 

On that note, it’s thanks to their large team of counsellors with different specialities from CBT to creative arts counselling that allows them to meet and work with all types of clients and conditions. Some counsellors are even fluent in Arabic, French, and Turkish.

We also appreciate that they offer same-day appointments. This quick response can be crucial for individuals who need immediate support. 

On the flipside, the number of in-person slots is limited, and they easily fill up. You’ll probably have to settle for online sessions, which some may not prefer.

But hey, we can’t really blame the demand they have, especially since they offer competitive pricing and even discounts for students, seniors and the unemployed. 

Met with empathy and kindness

“Couldn’t recommend Trisha more. After previous bad experiences – I was hesitant to try therapy again and now I rave about it. Every issue I had was met with empathy and kindness. It’s clear that she cares about you and how you’re feeling. Trisha’s a huge asset to the profession and I couldn’t be more thankful for help she’s given me.”

– Emma Stewart, Google Review

Felt very comfortable and safe

“I felt very comfortable and safe in my sessions with Helen. I had regular sessions with her over 1 year and it was very helpful, she helped me a lot and I can fully recommend her.”

– Enrique Troncoso, Google Review

At the helm of Edinburgh Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice is Simon Johnston, a fully qualified Integrative CBT therapist. He’s also trained in multiple therapeutic approaches, including CBT and CFT, which means he can adapt methods to fit each need.

We also noted how diverse and well-tailored every session with every client is. Many clients mentioned that the sessions aren’t just “talk therapy,” they actually get to track their progress and take actionable steps towards resolving their issues.

Another green flag is how Simon takes the time to assess and thoroughly plan every client’s treatment. He’ll start them off with a welcome pack with information and questionnaires before the first session to optimise the process and be productive from the start.

However, we’re a bit concerned that there’s only one counsellor, so appointment slots can fill quickly. Nonetheless, he offers both in-person and online sessions to accommodate as many people as possible. 

Provided excellent guidance 

“Simon was incredibly patient, understanding and provided excellent guidance during my sessions with him. Easily one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, I truly feel like I’m in a much happier and healthier place than before.”

– Angus Munro, Google Review

Incredibly patient and helpful

“Simon is incredibly patient and helpful. He helped me reframe my negative thoughts and helped me gain the confidence to move out of my comfort zone. He also always had an end point in mind, and never tried to drag our meetings out longer for the sake of more money. Would highly recommend”

– Nathaniel Ashley, Google Review

Chris, the sole counsellor from The Edinburgh Gardener Counselling Service, specialises in a person-centred approach. In other words, it’s grounded in empathy, genuineness, and unconditional positive regard, allowing clients to feel fully heard and respected. 

And we love that instead of offering direct advice, he creates a space for self-discovery and understanding. It may take a while for some, but it helps clients uncover their strengths, values, and authentic selves in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. 

We noted that clients who suffer from trauma, anxiety, and stress had positive progress after working with Chris. 

Pricing-wise? It’s one of the most affordable on this list. You see, the first appointment is only £20, making it easy for people to test whether this therapy style suits them. And standard 50-minute sessions are only £40, with flexibility to work on something if cost is an issue. 

The only bummer is his limited availability, given that there’s only one counsellor and weekday hours start at 5 PM. Regardless, some proper planning can easily land you a convenient schedule.

Wonderful counsellor

“Chris is a wonderful counsellor, dedicated to the profession.”

– maroodle1, Google Review

Best counselling experience 

“Chris is the best councilling experience I’ve ever had. Chris is real and has a wide understanding of different individuals and experiences. Chris is honest and a great listener, and you feel like you can speak to him about anything with no judgement. Chris was great for my mental health and always left me feeling much better about myself and who I am.”

– Isaac, Google Review

The highlight with Edinburgh CBT & Counselling Services is that it offers diverse therapy methods, such as CBT, trauma-focused CBT, compassion-focused therapy, and more. This diversity is crucial to figure out which works best for every client and issue.

It’s also worth pointing out that some counsellors can also provide services in English, Italian, Spanish, Urdu, and Polish, making it more accessible and easier to understand for others.

They’re also affirming and validating for individuals of all genders, sexual orientations, religions, races, and neurodiversities. From what we’ve heard, the counsellors are incredibly non-judgmental, making it a safe space to just open up and let loose. 

We’re also glad their sessions are available for individuals, couples, groups, and corporate clients, catering to a wider audience. 

The hitch? There can be wait times for initial consultations or preferred appointment slots due to the demand. Even so, it’s a testament to their solid reputation and progressive sessions. 

Spoken in a way that resonates

“Affordable, welcoming atmosphere, great therapy, spoken in a way that resonates with me. (Y) highly recommend.”

– Keira B, Google Review

Super impressed with the services 

“Super impressed with the services I have recieved & cannot speak highly enough of professional knowledge, approach & support! Highly recommend!”

– railey fielder, Google Review

What caught our attention with Louise McBride Counselling and Supervision is that she specialises in psychodynamic therapy, which basically helps clients explore patterns and behaviours that influence their lives. 

This method isn’t the most common in the industry, but we noted how sessions encourage clients to develop insight into unconscious processes. Simply put, people get to navigate their emotions and relationship dynamics better.

Another thing we love is how open and welcoming Louise is to the LGBTQ+ community, offering clients a safe and supportive environment. It also means that she’s well-aware of the diverse identities and nuances of different relationships. 

We’re also impressed that she provides clinical supervision for other therapists and practitioners. Clients can feel confident knowing they’re working with a qualified and regulated professional who complies with high ethical standards.  

Here’s the thing, though: psychodynamic therapy is intensive and long-term, which may not be the perfect match for some clients. On the other hand, it does promote deep, lasting personal transformation rather than quick fixes. 

Bringing real insight, compassion, and humour 

“I’m very grateful to Louise for bringing her real insight, compassion and humour to our therapy sessions – a major reason that I feel more at peace with myself and the world”

– John Ennis, Google Review

Safe space for honest, open dialogue 

“Louise is an excellent counsellor, who provides a safe space for honest, open dialogue. She gently encourages engagement within the sessions, in order to gain maximum benefit. Louise’s counselling services are highly recommended.”

– Caron Quinn, Google Review