Psychology treatment & therapy in Aberdeen

Access private psychology services at Albyn Hospital

Mental health challenges can affect anyone at any stage of life. Whether you are experiencing anxiety, low mood, stress, trauma, burnout, or adjusting to a physical health condition, psychological therapy can help you understand your experiences, develop coping strategies, and improve your overall wellbeing.

Our experienced Consultant Clinical Psychologists provide specialist assessment and evidence-based therapy for adults aged 16 and over. We offer personalised care in a safe, supportive, and confidential environment, helping you work towards meaningful and lasting change.

Psychology is the scientific study of how we think, feel, behave and interact with others. It explores the connection between our thoughts, emotions, behaviours and overall wellbeing.

Psychological support includes a range of evidence-based therapies, such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), designed to help people better understand themselves, manage challenges and improve their quality of life.

Many people seek support during difficult times, including stress, anxiety, depression, burnout, bereavement, relationship problems or major life changes. However, psychology isn't only for times of crisis. It can also help build resilience, improve self-awareness and support long-term mental wellbeing.

If you're struggling with your mental health, seeking professional help is an important first step. At Albyn Hospital, our experienced consultant psychologists provide personalised assessments and treatments, using proven psychological approaches to help you understand your condition, manage symptoms and achieve positive, lasting change.

Mental health challenges can affect anyone at any stage of life. Seeking support early can help you better manage symptoms, improve wellbeing, and regain confidence in daily life.
Our psychologists support people experiencing:

Anxiety – including excessive worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, health anxiety and phobias.
Depression and low mood – persistent sadness, loss of motivation, reduced enjoyment, or feelings of hopelessness.
Stress and burnout – ongoing pressure from work, family, or life events that impacts physical and emotional health.
Trauma and PTSD – difficulties following a distressing or traumatic experience.
Living with a health condition – adjusting to a diagnosis, managing treatment, coping with chronic pain or fatigue, or recovering from illness or injury.
Work-related challenges – workplace stress, burnout, work-life balance concerns, career changes, or workplace conflict.
Low self-esteem and emotional difficulties – concerns affecting confidence, relationships, or overall quality of life.

Psychological therapy can help you understand your thoughts, emotions, and behaviours, develop effective coping strategies, build resilience, and improve both your mental and physical wellbeing.

Our psychologists are trained in a range of proven therapeutic approaches and will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on your individual needs.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - CBT helps individuals identify and change unhelpful patterns of thinking and behaviour. It is widely used to treat anxiety, depression, stress, and many other mental health difficulties.
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) - EMDR is an evidence-based therapy used to help people recover from trauma and distressing life experiences. It can be highly effective for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other trauma-related difficulties.
Schema Therapy - Schema Therapy helps individuals understand long-standing emotional patterns that may have developed earlier in life. It can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing recurring difficulties in relationships, self-esteem, or emotional regulation.
Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) - CFT helps individuals develop self-compassion and reduce self-criticism, which can be particularly helpful for anxiety, depression, shame, and low self-esteem.
Mindfulness-Based Approaches - Mindfulness techniques can help individuals become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, improve emotional regulation, and reduce stress.
Psychotherapy and Counselling - Talking therapies provide a safe and supportive space to explore emotional challenges, life transitions, relationships, and personal wellbeing.

Your first appointment is a chance to talk about what’s been affecting your mental health and wellbeing, and how we can best support you. It’s a confidential, supportive conversation designed to help us understand your needs and what you would like to achieve through therapy. During your assessment, your psychologist will:

Discuss the difficulties or challenges you are currently experiencing
Explore any relevant personal, medical, or mental health history
Understand your goals and what you hope to gain from therapy
Recommend the most appropriate psychological treatment options
Create a personalised treatment plan tailored to your needs

Please note that all psychology consultations are carried out virtually at Albyn Hospital

Psychological treatment timescale

The length of your psychology therapy depends on your individual needs and difficulties you face. Your consultant will help guide you through the process.

Is psychological therapy the same as counselling?

Psychological therapy and counselling both help with your emotional and mental health, but they are a bit different.

Counselling is usually short-term treatment and focused on helping you deal with specific problems or current issues, like stress, grief, or relationship troubles. Your counsellor listens and supports you to find ways to manage these problems.

Psychological therapy tends to be longer term treatment and goes deeper into your mental health. It helps you understand and work through long-lasting issues or patterns, like trauma or mental health conditions. It looks at how your past experiences affect your feelings and behaviours today.

Sometimes people benefit from having both types of treatment, depending on what they need.

What is the difference between a psychologist, psychiatrist, and therapist?

These professions often get confused for one another, but they are different.

Psychologist

A psychologist is a medical professional who studies how people think, feel, and behave. This includes emotional and cognitive processes, how people interact with their environments, and how they interact with other people. A psychologist can diagnose and treats mental disorders, learning disabilities, and behavioural problems. They can help with mental health problems by talking with you and using therapies but cannot prescribe medication.

Psychiatrist

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health and who can also prescribe medicine. Psychiatrists often specifically focus on diagnosing mental health conditions and managing treatments, including medications. They may also provide therapy but often collaborate with psychologists or therapists for talk therapy.

Therapist

A therapist is a general term for someone who provides talk therapy and emotional support. Therapists may have different types of training, often with a master's degree, and include other sectors such as counsellors, social workers, and more. They help people work through emotions, challenges, and relationship issues but do not prescribe medication. Although a therapist cannot prescribe medication, they can refer you for evaluation for medication or other treatments.

Is what I say in therapy confidential?

What you say in therapy is nearly always confidential. Therapists are legally and ethically required to keep everything shared in sessions between you (the client) and themselves private. This is similar to how doctors protect your medical records. This confidentiality is essential to build trust and create a safe space for open and honest discussion.

However, there are exceptions where confidentiality may be broken for safety reasons, such as if your therapist believes you are at risk of harming yourself or others. Your therapist may also share information with others if you give your explicit consent, except in those limited cases mandated by law.

A GP referral is required before booking an appointment with one of our psychologists.

Your referral will be carefully reviewed by our psychology team to ensure we can provide the most appropriate support. If treatment is suitable, we will contact you to arrange your initial consultation.