Our Services

Our thoughts, feelings, physical sensations, and actions are interconnected. Negative thoughts & feelings can trap us in a negative cycle. We can deal with overwhelming problems in a more positive way by breaking them into smaller parts.  Reinforces new habits to help us feel better and achieve your goals.

We all have the capacity to decide on what’s best for us and become the best version of ourselves. ​Seeks to facilitate our capacity to decide on the best direction in life.  Promotes our capacity to grow and reach self-fulfilment. Uses unconditional positive regard, genuineness, and empathic understanding.

Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is a therapeutic approach that aims to help those who struggle with shame and self-criticism, often resulting from early experiences of abuse or neglect. Uses a variety of techniques to promote healing: ​Promotes self-acceptance. Works on the principal that we are all human and therefore perfect in our imperfection. A kinder approach to self, others, and our capacity to accept kindness, love, and support from others.

We can be so overcome by overwhelming events that the memory cannot be processed properly. Reminders in our daily life, (smells, feelings, sounds, flashbacks, etc.) can make us feel we are reliving the event over and over again. Some of the things we do to protect ourselves can be avoiding reminders, being constantly hyper vigilant. This this can impact on our lives in many ways. TF CBT helps tackle thought of the event Reduces anxiety & avoidant behaviour Gradually exposes to the overwhelming memory using behavioural experiments & assigns it to the past while processing the emotion. Helps us rebuild our lives the way we want to live.

Recognising and exploring the journey of each individual and their attachments through life from childhood to adulthood. The focus is on learning how to deepen inter and intrapersonal relationships.  This evidence based and therapy draws from a variety of other modalities including CBT & Transactional Analysis.

Our body and mind are closely connected. Our experiences in life leave their mark on our bodies. Helps to release stress, tension, and trauma from the body. Incorporates body-oriented modalities such as dance, breathwork, and meditation to support mental healing.  Combines talking therapy and mind-body exercises.

Psychoanalytic theory and method of therapy come together to explore social interactions and improve relationships. Helps resolve relationship issues by identifying which mode of communication we are using (whether parent-like, childlike, or adult-like) Provides a basis for understanding behaviour and improving relationships.

A talking therapy helps to improve your relationship. Identifies negative communication styles. Helps you and your partner develop more positive patterns within the relationship.

The Empty Chair Project is a therapeutic, craft initiative developed and delivered by Mick Mansell of Edinburgh CBT & Counselling Services. It combines traditional green woodworking with principles drawn from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Profound healing doesn't only happen while sitting on a sofa in a clinical room. For many people, traditional talking therapy can feel intimidating. We are immensely proud to offer this highly unique alternative. An Edinburgh Couple wondering along a Lange after Reconnecting with CBT Therapy for Couples The Empty Chair Project is a therapeutic, craft initiative developed and delivered by Mick Mansell, at Edinburgh CBT & Counselling Services. What Is The Empty Chair Project? The project is a small, group work based initiative designed to create a calm, mindful, and supportive learning environment. The initiative is based at Edinburgh CBT & Counselling Services@The Lodge Coffee House, Braids Rd., Edinburgh. Participants work with freshly cut wood using traditional hand tools, in a woodland workshop setting. This initiative is open to people of all ages and backgrounds, specifically benefiting those who are experiencing: Stress or anxiety. Low self-confidence or self-esteem. The effects of past trauma. A desire to reconnect with practical skills and creativity. Discover The Philosophy Behind This Project The core philosophy is that therapeutic change can emerge naturally through the process of making, reflecting, and creating. Although the environment is intentionally non-clinical, working with wood naturally activates several core CBT mechanisms: Cognitive Restructuring Many begin with self-critical thoughts like “I’m not good enough”. However, the physical progress of the work itself provides evidence that change is possible, allowing new perspectives to emerge, such as “I can learn new skills”. Behavioural Experiments Practical tasks, such as shaping a chair leg or carving joints, allow participants to test their beliefs about their abilities. Attempting these tasks gathers new evidence to challenge negative assumptions and build confidence. Mindfulness and Grounding The sensory engagement of the smell of freshly cut wood and the sound of carving tools naturally promotes a mindful state of attention. This helps reduce rumination and keeps participants grounded in the present moment. Behavioural Activation Completing a physical object like a chair or stool provides a sense of purpose and practical achievement, which can significantly increase motivation and self-worth and this is known to raise low mood. Emotional Regulation The craft process requires patience and persistence, helping participants learn to tolerate difficult emotions like frustration, irritability and anger, responding calmly to mistakes as part of the learning process. The Therapeutic Outcome Ultimately, the chair itself becomes a symbol of this therapeutic process. Just as a rough piece of wood can be shaped into something strong and functional, people can discover new strengths and capabilities through the process of making. Participants leave not only with improved coping strategies and reduced stress, but importantly, with something tangible that they have created themselves. If you are interested in taking part in this unique therapy please get in touch. Mick's next group will begin soon! Mick Mansell offers The Empty Chair Project with Edinburgh CBT & Counselling Services@The Lodge Coffee House. This is a Therapeutic Craft Initiative The image is one of the chairs made by a member of the group.

We all have the inner resources to work towards our goals.  Short term therapy (blocks of around 6 weeks). It uses reflection, Motivational Interviewing and Coaching techniques.

When. we have the same battle every single morning to get our young people out the door, we end up feeling guilty, frustrated and sad. For some young people though, going to school is more than they can cope with. They find the school environment totally overwhelming. Schools do the best they can and offer all possible reasonable adjustments. and still often it's not enough. While an arrangement can often be put in place for the education missed, it doesn't help with the social skills aspect of attending school. We can find that bit by bit our young people's lives shrink and anxiety grows. Small Steps is a weekly group where your. young person can focus on what they miss out on - the chance to work with young people who experience the same issues. They learn that they are not alone and develop not only a sense of belonging, but also the support required to move forward to a return to formal education.

This space is dedicated to upholding the highest professional standards in client work. Our mission is to inspire, support, challenge and nurture your professional excellence while encouraging personal growth and self-care. With qualifications across various modalities and expertise in integrated approaches, we tailor our support to meet your unique needs.