The 5 best psychologists in Edinburgh who are worth seeing for your mental health
There are a lot of misconceptions about therapy, but the truth is, it’s not just for people going through a crisis. Lots of people use it to gain clarity, better understand their emotions, and build stronger coping skills.
If fears or myths about therapy have been holding you back, it’s important to know that asking for help is completely normal. It’s also actually brave.
To make that journey easier, we’ve researched some of the best psychologists in Edinburgh who can guide you on your journey. These pros will make the process feel more manageable and supportive.
How much do psychologists in Edinburgh charge for their services?
Psychologists in Edinburgh usually charge £100–£150 per hour for doctoral-level clinical psychologists. The final rate still depends on the duration of the session, the clinic, and the psychologists’ experience.
1. One Psychology – Online Psychological Services UK
Address: Lothian
Phone: +44 131-507-0378
Business hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Friday: 1 PM – 8 PM
- Saturday: 2 PM – 7 PM
- Sunday: Closed
One Psychology offers clarity to its patients. Clients talked about finally making sense of their emotional overload that had previously felt messy.
That suggests that they’re great at connecting the dots between thoughts, behaviours, and deeper patterns.
This is especially clear in the way they handle anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. People reported feeling more self-aware and emotionally steady over time.
Dr Bea Michalska stands out in particular. She’s deeply engaged, patient, and invested in progress.
What’s interesting is that several clients pointed out that she didn’t take the easy route. Rather than offering fast fixes, she pushed for deeper work, even when that felt uncomfortable.
We also liked that One Psychology offers couples therapy. They know how to deal with relationships with communication issues, infidelity, or ongoing conflict.
The fully online setup, though, is both a strength and a limitation.
For busy people, the online-only model makes therapy far more realistic to stick with. They even accept insurance coverage through providers like AXA, Bupa, and Aviva, making them more accessible.
On the flip side, we know it’s not for everyone. Some patients prefer meeting their psychologists in-person.
One of the best choices I have ever made was to start sessions with Bea
“I cannot recommend Bea enough. She is incredibly supportive and kind, always making space for you to work through things at your own pace. There is a really healthy emphasis on being able to continue applying therapy techniques on your own, so you are not overly reliant on the sessions. One of the best choices I have ever made was to start sessions with Bea; she has helped me enormously.”
Emma Hill, Google review
Smart, kind, challenging and nimble in her approach
“I have been a client of Bea’s for several months & I am receiving trauma-focused CBT treatment due to experiencing significant effects of trauma in adulthood. I’d highly recommend Bea. Bea is smart, kind, challenging and nimble in her approach & this has really helped me to break unhealthy patterns, progress in my recovery & to achieve my goals for the therapy…”
Sarah M, Google review
2. Edinburgh Psychology & Coaching
Address: 10 S St Andrew St
Phone: +44 131-215-1066
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: Closed
Edinburgh Psychology & Coaching mixes clinical psychology with coaching and occupational psychology.
The practice is led by David Craigie, with a team of seven practitioners made up of both psychologists and psychotherapists.
Having multiple people on a team is a real pro. If someone isn’t the right fit, clients can switch to another practitioner without judgment.
Their style blends cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and coaching techniques.
We love that they focus on practical tools and strategies people can actually use in their daily lives.
Feedbacks show this approach works well. People say they feel more confident and able to handle anxiety, panic attacks, and stress after sessions.
They also work with businesses on workplace wellbeing, employee testing, and support programs. They’re a great choice for organisations.
Prices are straightforward, and most major insurance providers are accepted. However, communication can sometimes be slow during initial inquiry.
Helped me get back to the real me again
“Sarah McLaren helped me get back to the real me again which I felt I never would after the most stressful period of my life. I cant overestimate the benefit not just to me but also to my family. No hesitation in recommending Sarah.”
Margot Hood, Google review
She made me feel at ease
“…I reached out to the practice in 2019 and after an initial assessment, I started to see Samantha. She made me feel at ease; a great professional who thought me so much about myself and gave me the tools to improve. I cannot believe where I am today compared to where I was then. Even through periods of stress, I have the tools to deal with these confidently to this day, and I will carry her advice with me always…”
Zaira Iudice, Google review
3. Zoe Chouliara Psychology
Address: 46 Maryfield
Phone: +44 774-272-8169
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 6 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Zoe Chouliara’s approach isn’t cold or clinical, but it’s not fluffy either. There’s a balance between empathy and clear thinking, which showed up in patient feedback.
Clients consistently talked about feeling understood, not just listened to. One person mentioned getting help with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) while also working through gender identity and changing their name.
This already showed a lot about Zoe’s ability to handle complex, overlapping parts of someone’s life at the same time.
The clinic really shines with complex stuff, including trauma, childhood experiences, identity, and gender.
We also loved that it’s strong in assessment-based work. Most of the time, the insights are also delivered early in the first session.
The main limitation is the structure. It’s mostly run by Zoe alone, so there’s no other practitioner to choose from. When she’s busy, availability can get tighter.
She has a very positive and pragmatic attitude which works!
“I couldn’t recommend Zoe enough – she has helped me massively deal with some difficult issues and learn more about myself in the process. She is a powerhouse of knowledge, has a deep understanding of how I personally work and has an empathetic approach to any challenges I have. She has a very positive and pragmatic attitude which works! I can honestly say that I would not be in the better situation that I am now if it wasn’t for her help. Thank you Zoe!”
K Max89, Google review
My experience with Zoe has been nothing but amazing
“My experience with Zoe has been nothing but amazing I took my son to Zoe who struggles with his emotions and was going through a asd/adhd diagnosis she’s grew his confidence helped him express his emotions and really brought him out of his shell. she’s fantastic with children but also been fantastic for me aswell”
Teri Gillies, Google review
4. First Psychology
Address: 29 St Patrick Square
Phone: +44 131 668 1440
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30 AM – 9:30 PM
- Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Sunday: Closed
First Psychology is led by Professor Ewan Gillon, the clinical director. They focus on evidence-based methods like CBT, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), and psychotherapy.
With over 150 practitioners across Scotland, it’s one of the largest clinics around, so there’s a lot of expertise under one roof.
The clinic shines in treating anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. The staff (both admin and clinical) also got a lot of praise from clients. People say they’re professional, sympathetic, and easy to get along with.
We even heard of a case where a practitioner was honest about her limits and referred the client to someone better suited. It shows that they really put the client’s needs first.
The environment also seems to help with the nerves. The rooms are bright and comfortable, and little touches like hot drinks make it welcoming.
One client said they felt relaxed as soon as they met the team, which is a good sign for anyone starting therapy.
The main downside we could see was the cost. Their sessions are a bit higher than NHS options or some smaller independents.
Long-term therapy could get expensive for people paying out of pocket.
They offer a wide range of helpful services
“Great admin staff, prompt communication following initial enquiries. Staff are very professional, non-judgemental, reassuring and easy to get along with. They offer a wide range of helpful services. Accessible locations, rooms are light and comfortable – and they offer hot drinks! I was anxious about the first appointment but as soon as I met Ewan and noticed the calm, peaceful surroundings I felt quite relaxed. Overall, such a valuable experience and I’d give it 6 stars if that was possible!”
Rachel McNay, Google review
Very sympathetic admin staff
“Very sympathetic admin staff, who are able to listen to your inquiry and refer you to a suitable practitioner based on your needs. I inquired about sessions with Lucy Clark and she was very honest about what she could provide. As my requirements were more than what skype could provide and also that if she her skills and experience would not be suitable she suggested to be refereed to a specialist in the area of my difficulties. Something that I valued.”
H Whyte, Google review
5. The Purple House Clinic
Address: 8A Rutland Square
Phone: +44 131-563-0868
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: Closed
The Purple House Clinic is led by Sarah Gallacher, who has over 20 years of experience.
Their team blends evidence-based therapies like CBT, EMDR, and ACT. This combination allows them to support clients in building long-term coping skills and personal growth.
They handle a wide range of mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety, and eating disorders.
Complex cases aren’t a problem because the team draws on both NHS experience and private practice. This gives them a mix of practical know-how and flexibility.
We also loved how they make the environment very welcoming, especially for kids. They added thoughtful details like fidget toys and snacks.
The clinic also benefits from being part of a UK-wide franchised network, which ensures standards of care are regulated by Healthcare Improvement Scotland.
We also found out they have five waiting rooms, which allows them to maintain short waiting times.
However, we’ve heard of reports mentioning occasional unresponsiveness. It’s more common in follow-ups on pricing or funding.
The reports were in-depth, and made suggestions on coping strategies
“I had a very positive experience with Purple House for both myself and my daughter. Ray assessed and diagnosed both of us and was incredibly thorough in his assessments, and very compassionate. The reports were in depth, and made suggestions on coping strategies and next steps I would 100% recommend Purple House to anyone thinking of getting assessed for neurodivergence.”
Anna-Luise Croukamp, Google review
They are very compassionate about their job
“The team at Purple House Edinburgh did a fantastic job with my son. They treated him with care and professionalism. He felt at ease with them throughout the whole process. I would highly recommend this clinic. They are very compassionate about their job.”
Stephanie Richardson, Google review