Emma Ryland

I have availability Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in two locations in Leith for face to face appointments. I can offer online/telephone appointments from 8am to 8pm during the week.

It’s a big step to come to therapy, especially if you’ve had a lifetime of feeling different and not understood or heard.

Maybe you experience anxiety and it’s starting to impact your life? Perhaps you have poor self-esteem and would like to set better boundaries? Have you or someone you care about recently received an autism or ADHD diagnosis and you’re having complicated feelings, not sure what to do now? Are you keen to please others but really harsh on yourself? I regularly meet with people who answer ‘yes’ to these types of questions and we work together to discover the answers they’re looking for so that they can live a life more aligned to their values.

We’ll use a combination of counselling, CBT therapy and coaching and I’ll meet you just as you are, so we can work together in ways that suit you. I’ll draw on my own experience of neurodivergence and 25 years in education and autism outreach, and you’ll be in a space of non-judgement, where you’re free to be yourself and are acknowledged as the expert on your life. Together, we'll work to explore what you need so that you can move towards your goals.

My basic training was in person centred counselling and CBT, and I draw on 20 years' experience of coaching within an education setting and my own experience of neurodivergence. Consequently, I use an integrative approach which is flexible and responds to your needs.

Many people come to me because they've had a diagnosis of autism or ADHD later in life. They are trying to process the complicated feelings they're having and develop strategies to make life a bit easier or more enjoyable.

Others come because they have an issue that is causing them problems, or something about themself they're trying to understand.

Whatever your reason for beginning therapy with me, you can be sure that I will be sensitive to how difficult that step can be. I work in a trauma informed way, and if you need adaptations to the way we work, we can make them.

I'll hold hope for you if you're finding it difficult and I'll encourage you to be compassionate towards yourself -  I've found that once people begin to be kinder to themselves, they're more likely to be able to make the changes they want and work towards getting their needs met, whatever that means for them. 

I offer a free, no-obligation 15 minute video or phone call so we can ask questions and make sure we're a good fit. Research shows that the therapeutic relationship is key to successful outcomes and I want to make sure we're starting our work together from the best possible place.