A warm welcome from our Clinical Director
My mission in setting up The Edinburgh Practice was to provide a safe, comfortable and professional place that people could count on to access the mental health services they need, with the assurance of privacy and clinical excellence. I have the privilege of leading a group of exceptional and dedicated healthcare professionals who are committed to providing the highest standard of quality mental healthcare. As a team we embody the practice values of courage, compassion, integrity, safety and personal growth. Now that you have found us, I hope that we can start your therapeutic journey together.
How can we help?
Our Team
Our compassionate team is composed of highly specialised psychologists, psychiatrists and allied health professionals. You will have the assurance that you will be working with leading experts in their specialist field. We have carefully recruited our clinical team to reflect our strong belief in the importance of delivering evidence-based care from highly qualified professionals.
Our Practice
Our purpose-built, 6,500 square foot practice at Waverley Square comprises 26 individually designed consultation rooms, carefully tailored to their therapeutic focus, providing a safe and nurturing environment. Our centrally located space is open 7 days per week, including evenings, to allow you to quickly access the help you need, fitting around your other life commitments.
May, 2023
I want to add my heart-felt thanks.
“…she is doing so much better now – better than I had dared to hope – and it is largely due to the help that you have given her. And it is not only mental health that has improved, but also her relationship with her Dad, and the whole family dynamic is drastically improved.”
March, 2023
My daughter is in such a better place now.
“…and I cannot tell you how much you have helped her….I know that it is the work you did with her which has helped her to that goal. I know there may be slips along the way, but at the moment, you have helped her to be a happier, healthier young woman. We are so very grateful to you.”
January, 2023
I cannot speak highly enough of The Edinburgh Practice.
“My experience with them has been truly exceptional. From the moment I walked through their doors, I felt welcomed and understood – the initial questionnaire provided was particularly useful in allowing me to know that the clinic fully understood the scope of my issues and what help I was looking for.”
January 2023
Psychiatrist was lovely as a person and helpful.
“My son wouldn’t have not been diagnosed without this service in Scotland. Really appreciated so my son can get proper assistance in school.”
October, 2022
I thank my lucky stars that we found you!
“It is easy to imagine how things could have gone very differently if we hadn’t been able to access help, or if we hadn’t found the right person to help our daughter.”
September, 2022
I can’t thank you enough for all the help you have given me
“…I feel much more positive and confident, and I’m definitely in a better place mentally to start uni next week. I will forever be grateful for your support!”
September, 2022
I can’t thank you enough for all the help you have given me.
“I feel much more positive and confident, and I’m definitely in a better place mentally to start uni next week. I will forever be grateful for your support!”
Our Latest
Stories, events and insights from The Edinburgh Practice.
This #fridaycheckin we are checking in with our Play Therapist, Ellen Stevens.
🧸 Play Therapy gives children a safe, supportive space to express their thoughts and emotions. Through play, Ellen engages with children using toys, games, and art materials to help navigate challenges and work through difficult emotions.
⭐️ With a background in theatre and a passion for fostering creative expression, Ellen pursued specialised training in therapeutic interventions for children. She has experience working with a wide range of needs, including anxiety, emotional regulation difficulties, ADHD, autism, communication difficulties and trauma.
💻 To learn more about Play Therapy, visit our website - link in bio!
We are excited to announce that we are now working with BRAVEHOUND! @bravehound_uk
🐕 BRAVEHOUND is a registered Scottish charity that provide assistance dogs to veterans who have a clinical diagnosis of a mental health condition such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. Their mission is to help heal the invisible wounds of military veterans with their specially trained assistance dogs.
🫶They know that a dog can provide companionship, promote taking exercise and give a purpose and structure to each day. Their dogs have been a valuable asset for veterans and their families. They help to facilitate daily life, giving veterans confidence and provide the assistance that the veteran needs.
Dr Julia met with the first BRAVEHOUND veteran last week to carry out a Psychological Assessment. We are excited to be working with BRAVEHOUND, the work they do really is life changing, heart warming and incredibly meaningful! 💛
#bravehound #mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice
Welcome back to our Monday ‘M’ series, we hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! This week ‘M’ stands for Movement!
The saying “Movement is medicine” applies not just to our bodies, but to our minds as well. Regular movement is a powerful tool for boosting mental health by reducing stress, improving self-esteem, managing anxiety, and even improving sleep quality. Whether it’s through setting new goals or meeting new people, movement encourages us to live more actively and mindfully.
While sports and exercise are fantastic ways to stay active, there are many other ways we can begin to move our bodies more such as:
🚲 Walking or cycling to work instead of taking the car
🚌 Getting off the bus a stop early and walking the rest of the way
🚶 Taking the stairs instead of the elevator
🎵 Doing household chores such as hoovering or gardening while listening to music
🌱 Going for walks during your lunch break or going outside to a nearby park
🙆♀️ Stretching while you’re waiting for the kettle to boil in the morning
No matter how you choose to move your body, it’s important that we reframe how we look at physical activity. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by the idea of intense exercise, especially if it’s not part of your routine. But starting small can lead to meaningful improvements in both mental and physical health. However you choose to move, remember that every step counts!
Happy Friday, everyone! For this week’s #fridaycheckin, we’re excited to have Dr Anu share a set of evidence-based tips to help us check in with our wellbeing and improve our mental and emotional health. Dr Anu outlines how we can take simple yet impactful actions to feel our best:
1️⃣ Connect with Others 🤝: Connect with the people around you! Think of the different connections in your life - family, friends, or colleagues - as the cornerstones of your life. Invest time in them and build meaningful bonds.
2️⃣ Be Active 💪: Move your body in ways that bring you joy! Whether it’s walking, running, cycling, dancing, gardening, or playing a sport, find activities that fit your lifestyle.
3️⃣ Be Mindful 🌸: Savour the moment; whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or chatting with friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences can deepen your appreciation for the things that matter most to you.
4️⃣ Keep Learning 🧠: Stay curious! Try something new or rediscover an old interest. Sign up for a course, explore new opportunities at work, or learn how to cook a new recipe. Setting yourself fun and engaging challenges can boost your confidence.
5️⃣ Give 🎁: Do something nice for a friend or a stranger. Thank someone, volunteer your time or get involved in your community. Giving back fosters connection and can bring a sense of fulfilment.
Taking these small, meaningful steps can help nurture the mind, body, and relationships - your future self will thank you!
Today we are celebrating the ‘International Week of Happiness at Work’ 😄
💼We spend a large part of our lives at work, and this has a significant impact on the rest of our lives. Therefore, paying more attention to happiness at work can make a difference.
🙋♂️Maartje Wolff and Fennande van der Meulen founded Happy Office in 2015 and help organisations with transformation processes towards more work happiness. “It is our mission to put work happiness on the agenda of as many organizations as possible, both domestically and internationally. Ultimately, it is especially about taking action, changing behavior and culture”. In 2017, they thought how wonderful it would be if, in addition to the ‘Day of Happiness’, there was a week dedicated to Happiness at Work.
📝Research by Charles-Leija et al. (2023) found that meaningful work, feeling appreciated as coworkers and enjoyment of daily tasks significantly predict happiness at work.
💛At TEP we strive to create a happy workplace, where our team members have a voice, opportunities for professional development and are engaged in meaningful work which aids in supporting the range of clients we see.
#internationalweekofhappinessatwork #happinessatwork #mentalhealth #mentalhealthpractice #theedinburghpractice
Happy Monday! This Monday our ‘M’ word is mindset 💭
🧠Our mindset shapes how we approach learning and challenges. A fixed mindset leads us to believe our abilities are static, while a growth mindset recognises that effort and persistence drive improvement. By shifting from a fixed to a growth perspective, we open ourselves to learning, resilience and progress.
👩⚕️This powerful perspective was first introduced by psychologist, Carol Dweck, through her extensive research on achievement, success, motivation and mindset.
📈Embracing a growth mindset can be a transformative journey — not just professionally, but personally too. A growth mindset provides you with the strength to withstand setbacks, the resilience to bounce back, the ambition to reach for your goals and empowers you to become the best version of yourself.
💛We encourage you to reflect on your current mindset and challenge any ‘fixed mindset’ thoughts that may be holding you back.
#mindsetmondays #mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice
🧠 Today is World Alzheimer’s Day! A reminder - Alzheimer’s is a disease of the brain which causes dementia. These symptoms could include memory loss, difficulties with planning, problem-solving or language and sometimes changes in mood or behaviour. In Scotland alone, around 90,000 people are living with dementia, with an estimated 66% affected by Alzheimer’s.
✍️ At TEP we are proud to offer gold-standard, detailed memory clinic assessments following NICE best practice guidelines. Our assessments are personalised, with consultations from our Consultant Psychiatrist and, if needed, neuropsychological assessments by our Clinical Psychologist. We are the only private memory clinic in Scotland offering multi-disciplinary team assessments and treatment, ensuring that each individual receives tailored care based on their unique needs. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can give a person more time to come to terms with the changes that are likely to happen, it also allows access to medication which may help delay or improve the symptoms of Alzheimer’s as well as giving time to discuss future plans. To learn more about TEP`s memory clinic or to submit a referral, visit our website (link in bio).
💛 We are also honoured to support our partner charity @alzscot and just recently attended the Alzheimer Scotland Annual Conference 2024 which was a wonderful opportunity to connect with people living with dementia, their carers, health and social care professionals and researchers. Let’s continue to fight for a future where no one has to face Alzheimer’s alone. Alzheimer Scotland’s 24 hour dementia helpline is a wonderful resource that provides information, signposting and emotional support to people with Alzheimer’s, their families, friends and professionals. You can call their freephone on 0808 808 3000.
#WorldAlzheimersMonth #WorldAlzheimersDay
It’s time for another #fridaycheckin!
At TEP we have over 40 clinicians, today we are checking in with three of our clinicians! We love to hear why our clinicians love what they do and their ongoing commitment to their clients!
💛At TEP, we offer a range of different services from our amazing multidisciplinary team. You can view the range of services we offer across the lifespan on our website (link in bio).
Join us each Friday for more #fridaycheckins!
#fridaycheckin #theedinburghpractice
👋 Welcome back to our Monday ‘M’ Series! This week our ‘M’ word is Motivation!
🌟 Motivation can be tricky - it can come in waves, sometimes surging, and other times feeling nonexistent, depending on what’s happening in our lives or our current mental state. Some tips for staying motivated are:
✍️ Setting clear and achievable goals: Start with specific, realistic goals that you can confidently work towards. Clear goals give you direction and make it easier to track progress. Look up `SMART goals` for a helpful goal setting framework.
✍️ Breaking tasks into smaller steps: Large tasks can feel overwhelming, so break them down into smaller, more manageable steps. This makes it easier to start and helps you stay motivated as you complete each step.
✍️ Planing and visualising your goals: Create a plan that outlines how you’ll achieve your goals. Visualising success can boost motivation by helping you to envisage the end result and stay focused on the path ahead.
✍️ Celebrating your progress: Recognise and celebrate small achievements. Celebrating progress reinforces positive behaviour, keeps you motivated, and builds momentum toward your goals.
✍️ Cultivating a positive mindset: Focus on the positive aspects of your journey and practice gratitude. A positive mindset can help you stay resilient through challenges and maintain motivation.
✍️ Think about your why: Clearly write out what your why is. When you are struggling with motivation remembering your bigger goal can help you to keep going!
📱 There are many apps that can help us stay on track and achieve our goals, such as Forrest, ThinkUp, Habit Tracker and Habitica. One size does not fit all when it comes to motivation, so it’s always best to try new techniques and approaches to find what works best for us!
#TheEdinburghPractice #MondayMotivation #StayingMotivated
Welcome back to another #fridaycheckin! This week we are excited to announce that we have Dr Zoe Black joining us as our new Sports Psychologist.
🎥 Watch along to find out more about sport psychology and what Dr Zoe can offer at our practice!
🏊♀️With experience of working with clients of varying age, stage, sporting abilities and challenges, Dr Zoe takes a holistic approach to encompass all aspects of a client’s life and is committed to providing a safe space where clients can explore their thoughts and feelings.
📚Dr Zoe employs an evidence-informed approach to practice, utilising current literature and client experience to tailor support and intervention to meet the clients’ needs. Her training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Person-Centred Therapy (PCT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) allow her to work in collaboration with clients on areas including (but not limited to) performance anxiety, goal setting, returning from injury, transitions in sport, and building confidence.
💛With honesty, empathy and respect as her guiding principles, Dr Zoe’s aim is to help clients develop their understanding of themselves and teach them skills and techniques that will help them enhance their performance on and off the pitch and ultimately to live a rich and more meaningful life.
Welcome to the Team Dr Zoe!
#theedinburghpractice #sportpsychology #mentalhealthservice #mentalhealth
🎉 Exciting news! We are thrilled to announce that The Edinburgh Practice will be attending Holyrood’s inaugural "Health Inequalities in Scotland: The State of the Nation" summit next week!
💫 On Tuesday 17th September, Dr Fiona and Dr Julia will be at Dynamic Earth to join Scotland’s top public health leaders from the public, private, and third sectors. This event is a unique opportunity to share innovative ideas, build valuable connections, and explore practical steps to drive meaningful change in tackling health inequalities.
💫 Throughout the day, attendees will delve into successful initiatives addressing health disparities and discuss targeted solutions for critical issues like smoking and obesity. There will also be conversations on the significant role that various sectors, including life sciences, play in promoting public health.
💫 Dr Fiona and Dr Julia will be representing The Edinburgh Practice by attending the speeches and discussions and hosting a TEP stand. We look forward to engaging with other health professionals and contributing to this vital conversation!
#HolyroodHealth #StateoftheNation #HealthoftheNation
Today is #worldsuicidepreventionday and this year’s focus is on talking more openly about suicide and showing that talking about difficult feelings including suicidal thoughts doesn’t have to be scary.
A recent poll by Samaritans found that only 45% of people feel comfortable talking to family and friends about suicidal thoughts, compared to 74% who said they feel comfortable talking about mental health.
Samaritans are sharing their top tips to help give people the chance to express how they feel and get the support they need.
💛Watch out for changes in behaviour such as someone distancing themselves, not replying to messages, talking about feeling worthless, hopeless or trapped, not doing the things they usually enjoy or finding day-to-day tasks difficult.
💛Play your part by reaching out to anyone you’re concerned about. If you’re worried about someone, reach out to them, ask how they’re feeling and show that you care by listening without judgement and try not to jump in with your advice or opinion.
💛Don’t be afraid to ask someone if they’re having suicidal thoughts. People who have had suicidal thought have often reported that it is a relief to be asked and to talk about the suicidal thoughts they are experiencing. Ditch the stigma - suidical thoughts are far more common than most people know.
💛If you’re worried about someone, stay with them and just let them know you`re there. Let them know that they can call Samaritans free, day or night on 116 123. If you think it’s an emergency or they’ve tried to harm themselves – call 999 in the UK or 112 in Ireland.
💛And remember to look after yourself, Samaritans is here to support you too.
Follow @samaritanscharity and check out their website for more information about how they can help.
#mentalhealth #theedinburghpractice #worldsuicidepreventionday
✨ We are back with our Monday ‘M’ series! This week, M stands for Music!
🎶 Listening to music can be entertaining, and some research suggests that it can make you healthier. Music can be a source of pleasure and contentment, and there are many other psychological benefits, such as:
😊 Emotional Regulation: The chords, rhythm, lyrics, or even your experience with a particular piece of music can trigger positive emotions. Music can also trigger the release of “feel-good” hormones like dopamine, serotonin and oxytocin.
🧠 Memory & Cognition: Music impacts the brain regions that are associated with recall and comprehension and can improve brain connectivity and cognitive functions like problem solving, attention and memory.
🏃♂️ Improve Motivation: Listening to fast-paced music can make exercising easier as it motivates us to work out harder.
🩺 Pain Management: Music can help to manage pain by distracting the mind from pain and reducing anxiety, which can lessen the perception of pain.
🧘♀️ Reduce Stress: Research has found that listening to music has an impact on the human stress response and those who listen to music tend to recover more quickly following a stressor.
💤 Better Sleep: Listening to relaxing music can slow down our heart rate and breathing, promoting deeper and more restful sleep.
🎼 Incorporating music into our daily life, whether through passive music listening such as playing music in the background, or active engagement like playing an instrument, can enhance your wellbeing and happiness.
This #fridaycheckin we are checking in with our hardworking administration team! We have an exciting opportunity for an exceptional administrator to join our team, so let’s see what they get up to day to day!
As an TEP Administrator you will be:
🙋♀️ Greeting Clients
👩⚕️ Supporting our Clinicians
💻 Actioning clients’ enquiries in person and enquiries over the phone and by email.
📆 Booking appointments
📝 Scanning client notes
💬 Answering general enquiries in the phone room
⭐️ Actioning new referrals and liaising with our Clinical Leads
🏃♂️ Ensuring the smooth running of the practice and liaising regularly with all colleagues
💸 Invoicing and taking payments.
📖 Updating patient records.
🤫 Accessing sensitive information whilst maintaining patient confidentiality.
If you are interested in the position, please contact our practice manager Kelly Alexander at [email protected] or check out the link in our bio to apply!
We look forward to hearing back from you 💛
Today we are re-introducing Megan from our administration team! Megan worked with us previously and we are delighted that she has returned to work with us!
Here are five facts about Megan.
🗓️How long have you worked at TEP?
“I have been at TEP since mid-July but I previously worked here in 2021 for one year before pursuing my Children, Young People and Social Services qualification”.
🤔Why did you want to work at TEP?
“Mental health has always been an interest of mine. I am especially interested in Early Years development and Systemic Therapy. I enjoy learning from all of our clinicians and also really enjoy the organisation which comes with an administration role”.
💬What is your favourite quote?
“Not so much a quote but a favourite song is ‘Keep Rolling’ by Paolo Nutini. It keeps me going on those more challenging days”.
🍽️What is your favourite restaurant in Edinburgh?
“It is hard to pick as Edinburgh is full of so many great restaurants but I love @bonnieandwildmarket and @intouchrestaurant”.
🧘♀️What do you do to relax?
“I am most relaxed when I am amongst nature. I love to practice yoga in my garden (weather permitting!) or going out for walks with my dog. I love winding down with a good book or listening to music”
We’re pleased to work with the following organisations
