Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about therapy, costs, confidentiality, and what to expect.
Getting Started
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No. You don’t need a GP referral, a mental health diagnosis, or any kind of paperwork to begin therapy with Amber. You can get in touch directly at any time.
People come to therapy for all kinds of reasons — some are in crisis, some are simply feeling stuck, and some just want a dedicated space to understand themselves better. All of those are equally valid reasons to reach out.
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The free intro call is a 20-minute phone or video conversation — completely informal, with no obligation on either side. It’s a chance for you to share a little about what’s brought you here, ask any questions, and get a sense of whether working together feels right.
There’s no pressure to continue. If it doesn’t feel like a good fit, that’s okay too — what matters is finding the right support for you.
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Absolutely not. Therapy isn’t only for people in crisis. Many people come simply because they feel stuck, overwhelmed, or like something isn’t quite right — and they can’t put their finger on what it is.
You don’t need to justify wanting support. The fact that you’re wondering is reason enough to have a conversation.
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That’s more common than you might think. You don’t need to arrive with an agenda or the right words. In person-centred therapy, the sessions are shaped by you — and that includes figuring out together what it is you need to explore.
Amber’s role is to create a space where things can surface naturally. You won’t be pushed anywhere before you’re ready.
Sessions & Format
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Sessions last 50 minutes and typically take place weekly. That said, Amber is flexible — if weekly sessions don’t suit your life right now, you can discuss what works best for you.
Over time, many clients find that the frequency naturally shifts as they start to feel more settled. There’s no fixed number of sessions required.
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Both options are available. Amber offers face-to-face sessions at her practice in Edinburgh (93 George Street, EH2 2ES), and secure video sessions for clients across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Online therapy works well for many people — it removes the need to travel and makes it easier to fit sessions around your schedule. If you’re unsure which would suit you better, it’s worth mentioning on the intro call.
There’s no pressure to continue. If it doesn’t feel like a good fit, that’s okay too — what matters is finding the right support for you.
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The first session is a little different from the ones that follow. It’s relaxed and informal — a chance to get to know each other, talk through what’s brought you to therapy, and start building the foundation of your work together.
It’s completely normal to feel nervous. You don’t need to prepare anything. Just show up.
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There’s no set number. Some people come for a handful of months; others find longer-term therapy more valuable. It depends entirely on what you’re working through and what feels right for you.
Amber checks in regularly on how things are going, so you’ll always have a chance to reflect on whether therapy is still serving you.
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Appointments are available on weekdays, including some evening slots. For teenagers, after-school times are accommodated where possible.
The best way to find a time that works is to get in touch via the contact page and discuss availability directly with Amber.
Fees & Availability
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Individual sessions are £65 for 50 minutes. If you’d like to secure a regular weekly slot, block bookings are available — for example, 4 sessions for £260.
A small number of reduced-rate spaces are also available. If cost is a barrier, please mention this when you get in touch and Amber will do her best to help.
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Amber offers flexible, affordable counselling for university and college students, with a focus on making support genuinely accessible. Please get in touch to ask about current student rates and availability.
Therapy for students is designed to be flexible — fitting around your academic timetable, including during term-time pressures.
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No, block bookings are optional — not required. They’re simply a way to secure your regular slot if you’d like to. You can also pay session by session. Amber will discuss the practicalities with you when you get in touch.
Amber's Approach
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Person-centred therapy is built on one core belief: that you are the expert on your own life. Amber’s role isn’t to diagnose you, fix you, or hand you a list of things to do differently — it’s to create the kind of space where real change becomes possible.
In practice, this means sessions are led by you. You decide what you talk about and when, at your own pace. There’s no fixed structure, no homework, and no pressure to be making progress on anyone else’s timeline.
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Neuroaffirming means that Amber starts from the position that a brain that works differently — such as an ADHD brain — is not a problem to be fixed. Neurodivergence is a difference, not a deficit.
This approach creates space to explore the real impacts of living in a world that often isn’t designed with you in mind — without shame, without checklists, and without any pressure to become neurotypical.
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Yes. Amber holds a Master’s in Counselling (MCounselling) from the University of Edinburgh and is a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). BACP membership means she works to the highest standards of ethics and professional practice, and her registration can be verified on the public BACP register.
She brings five years of experience working with adults and teenagers across a wide range of presenting issues.
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Amber works with a wide range of experiences, including:
Anxiety, worry, and overthinking
Low self-esteem, self-worth, and self-criticism
Depression and low mood
Stress, burnout, and exhaustion
Grief and loss
Relationship difficulties and patterns
Trauma and difficult past experiences
Identity and self-discovery
Life transitions and big decisions
People-pleasing and difficulty with boundaries
ADHD and neurodivergence
Imposter syndrome and chronic self-doubt
ADHD Therapy
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No. Whether you have a formal diagnosis, are currently on a waiting list for assessment, or simply recognise yourself in what you’ve read about ADHD — there is space for you here.
Many adults, particularly women, go undiagnosed for years. Amber doesn’t believe you should have to wait for a piece of paper before getting support. What matters is your lived experience, not a label.
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No — Amber’s ADHD therapy isn’t about productivity systems or managing symptoms with checklists. It sits alongside those approaches, not in competition with them.
The focus is on the emotional and relational side of living with ADHD: the shame, the self-doubt, the exhaustion of masking, the relationships affected. It’s about understanding yourself at a deeper level — not becoming more organised.
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Amber works with:
Adults with ADHD — including those with a late diagnosis, or those who recognise the patterns but don’t yet have a formal diagnosis
Women with ADHD — whose ADHD is often more internalised and misread as anxiety or low self-esteem
Teenagers aged 13–19 — navigating school, identity, and relationships alongside an ADHD brain
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Amber works with a wide range of experiences, including:
Anxiety, worry, and overthinking
Low self-esteem, self-worth, and self-criticism
Depression and low mood
Stress, burnout, and exhaustion
Grief and loss
Relationship difficulties and patterns
Trauma and difficult past experiences
Identity and self-discovery
Life transitions and big decisions
People-pleasing and difficulty with boundaries
ADHD and neurodivergence
Imposter syndrome and chronic self-doubt
Therapy for Teenagers
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Amber works with young people aged 13 to 19, in person in Edinburgh and online across Scotland and the UK.
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For clients under 16, a parent or guardian will need to give consent before therapy can begin. For young people aged 16–17, they can give their own consent.
If you’re a parent, Amber is happy to have a brief introductory call with you before sessions start, so you can ask any questions and understand how the process works.
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No. What you share in sessions stays private — that confidentiality is a core part of what makes therapy feel safe enough to be honest in.
The only exception is if Amber has serious concerns about your safety. Before sessions begin, she’ll explain clearly how confidentiality works and what those exceptions are, so everything is transparent from the start.
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Sessions are one-to-one — parents are not present in the room. This is important because it gives your young person a space that truly belongs to them, which is often what enables them to open up for the first time.
That said, Amber is always happy to speak with you before therapy begins. And if there are any serious safety concerns, she will always let you know.
Therapy for Students
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It’s the same person-centred approach, but with an understanding of the particular pressures students face — academic expectations, living away from home, social dynamics, identity questions, and financial stress, often all at once.
Amber’s student offering is designed to be flexible and affordable, with an understanding that student life doesn’t always run to a tidy weekly schedule.
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University counselling services can be a great resource, but they often have long waiting lists, session limits, or are unavailable outside term-time. Private therapy with Amber gives you continuity and flexibility — someone who knows you and your story, without the wait or the cap on sessions.
If you’re unsure which route is right for you, the free intro call is a good place to talk it through.
Confidentiality & Privacy
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Yes — confidentiality is a fundamental part of therapy. What you share in sessions stays between you and Amber.
There are a small number of exceptions: if Amber believes you or someone else is at serious risk of harm, she may need to take action. These exceptions are explained clearly before sessions begin, so there are no surprises.
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Yes. Online sessions take place via a secure video platform. Amber will share details of the platform when you book. All you need is a private space where you won’t be overheard.
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Yes. As a BACP registered therapist, Amber receives regular clinical supervision as required by her professional code of ethics. Supervision is a standard part of ethical practice — it ensures clients receive the best possible care. Any case material discussed in supervision is anonymised.
Still have a question?
The best way to get an answer is a free, no-obligation 20-minute call — no pressure, just a conversation.
93 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2ES · BACP Registered Member