Our Approach
Finding an approach that feels right for you
There’s no single approach to therapy that works for everyone. We all have different experiences, needs and ways of making sense of the world, so what helps one person may not be right for another. We believe therapy should fit the person, not the other way around.
At The Edinburgh Counselling Service, our team offers a range of therapeutic approaches. You might be looking for practical strategies to help you manage anxiety or feel more in control of your thoughts. Perhaps you want to explore past experiences, understand relationship patterns or have space to talk through what’s happening in your life.
We work collaboratively, with respect for your experiences, your preferences and your pace. Therapy isn’t about being told who to be or what to do. It’s an opportunity to understand yourself better, explore what may be keeping you stuck and consider what you would like to change.
Our therapeutic approaches include cognitive behavioural therapy, person-centred therapy, psychodynamic therapy, integrative therapy and pluralistic therapy. Each offers a different way of understanding your experiences and working towards change. We've included a bit more about each approach below, but we can also help you explore the options and find a therapist whose approach may suit your needs.
A practical approach to understanding thoughts, feelings and behaviours.
CBT explores the connections between what we think, how we feel, the physical sensations we experience and how we behave. Sometimes, patterns in these areas can keep difficulties going, even when we’re trying hard to feel better.
CBT can help you recognise these patterns and explore different ways of responding to them.
What might CBT help with?
CBT may be helpful if you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, panic, stress, low self-esteem, obsessive thoughts or difficulties managing strong emotions.
What might sessions involve?
You and your therapist will work together to understand what’s troubling you and identify patterns that may be contributing to your difficulties. Sessions might involve exploring unhelpful thinking habits, trying different ways of responding to challenging situations and developing practical coping strategies. You may also agree on things to practise or reflect on between sessions.
Who might CBT suit?
CBT may appeal to you if you prefer a structured, focused approach and would like to work towards specific goals. Although it often includes practical techniques, there is still space to understand your experiences and what lies behind your difficulties.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)
Person-Centred Therapy
A supportive space to explore things in your own time.
Person-centred therapy offers an accepting, non-judgemental space to explore your feelings and experiences. Your therapist listens and supports you in developing a greater understanding of yourself, without directing you towards a particular solution.
What might person-centred therapy help with?
It may be helpful if you’re struggling with low mood, self-esteem, relationships, difficult emotions or a sense that you’ve lost touch with yourself. You don’t need to have a specific problem to work on; you may simply want to understand yourself better.
What might sessions involve?
Sessions provide space to talk about whatever feels important to you. Your therapist will listen carefully, help you explore your experiences and support you in making sense of your feelings at your own pace.
Who might person-centred therapy suit?
This approach may suit you if you want time to reflect, develop self-awareness and feel understood without being directed towards a particular solution. It can be especially valuable if you’re used to putting other people’s needs first or feel pressure to have everything under control.
Psychodynamic Therapy
Understanding how past experiences may shape the present.
Our earlier experiences and relationships can influence how we see ourselves, relate to others and respond to situations today. Sometimes, we find ourselves repeating patterns or experiencing feelings that are difficult to explain.
Psychodynamic therapy explores these connections, helping you develop a deeper understanding of yourself and the experiences that may be influencing your life.
What might psychodynamic therapy help with?
It may be helpful if you notice recurring relationship difficulties, persistent emotional struggles, familiar patterns you find hard to change or feelings that seem to arise without an obvious explanation.
What might sessions involve?
You and your therapist may explore your current relationships, earlier experiences, recurring thoughts and feelings, and the ways these connect. Over time, this can help you make sense of patterns that may previously have felt confusing or outside your awareness.
Who might psychodynamic therapy suit?
This approach may suit you if you want to explore your experiences in greater depth and understand not just what you’re struggling with, but why certain difficulties may keep arising. The work is often exploratory, allowing space for reflection and understanding to develop over time.
Integrative Therapy
Bringing together different approaches to suit you.
Integrative therapy draws on ideas and techniques from more than one therapeutic approach. Rather than following a single model, your therapist considers your individual circumstances and brings together different ways of working where appropriate.
For example, you might want to explore how earlier experiences have shaped you while also developing practical strategies to manage something you’re facing now.
What might integrative therapy help with?
It may be helpful for a wide range of concerns, particularly when your needs are varied or change over time. You might want to understand longstanding difficulties, work through relationship patterns or find new ways of coping with everyday challenges.
What might sessions involve?
Depending on your needs and your therapist’s approach, sessions might include exploring your past, understanding your feelings, recognising recurring patterns or trying practical techniques. The focus can evolve as you develop a clearer understanding of yourself and what you want from therapy.
Who might integrative therapy suit?
Integrative therapy may suit you if you would value a flexible approach that combines deeper exploration with practical support. Your therapist will work with you to find a way of working that reflects your experiences, preferences and goals.
Pluralistic Therapy
Working together to find what helps you.
Pluralistic therapy starts from the idea that different people benefit from different kinds of support, and that what helps you may change over time.
You and your therapist work together to decide what you want to focus on and which approaches or methods might be most useful. Your views, preferences and feedback are an important part of the process.
What might pluralistic therapy help with?
Pluralistic therapy can be used to explore a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, stress and questions about identity or direction in life.
What might sessions involve?
You and your therapist will discuss what matters to you and what you hope to get from counselling. You might spend time exploring your experiences, work towards specific goals or try practical strategies. You can review how things are going together and talk openly about what feels helpful or what you would like to approach differently.
Who might pluralistic therapy suit?
This approach may suit you if you want an active role in shaping your therapy. You don’t have to know what will help from the outset; the idea is to work it out together, with room to adjust as your needs change.
Which type of counselling or therapy is right for me?
Everyone comes to therapy for different reasons, and you might not be sure exactly what you need just yet. It can help to think about what you’re hoping for. Perhaps you’d like some practical ways to manage things day to day, a better understanding of patterns that keep coming up, or simply some space to explore how you’re feeling without any pressure to have the answers.
There isn’t a right or wrong answer. Your therapist can talk with you about your needs, explain how they work and help you decide whether their approach feels like a good fit.
The approach your therapist takes is only one part of the picture. Feeling comfortable with them, feeling understood and being able to work together are just as important. If you’re not sure which approach might suit you best, please don’t worry. You don’t need to find the perfect approach before getting started. Often, finding someone you feel at ease with and can work alongside is a good place to begin.
Finding the right counsellor in Edinburgh
Choosing a counsellor can feel like yet another decision to make when you’re already dealing with a lot.
At The Edinburgh Counselling Service, we want finding the right support to feel as straightforward as possible. You can browse our team and book a consultation with one of our therapists directly, or get in touch with Hannah, our founder and a qualified counsellor and psychotherapist, for guidance. Hannah can help you explore your options and find someone whose experience, personality and approach best suit your needs.
You don’t need to know which type of therapy you’re looking for or have a clear idea of what you want from counselling. If you’re unsure where to start, that’s absolutely fine. We’ll help you find your way.
If you’re considering counselling in Edinburgh or online, we’d be happy to help you find the support that feels right for you.