Aija Sarkane

I believe that therapy should be a space where you feel heard, understood and supported, without judgement. Whether you're struggling with anxiety, low mood, self-doubt or simply feeling stuck, you don't have to work through everything on your own.

I'm a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) therapist based in Edinburgh, offering therapy to adults and young people both in person and online. I speak English, Latvian and Russian.

Originally from Latvia, I moved to the UK and built my life and professional career here. Having experienced moving to a different country myself, I understand that life transitions, adapting to new environments and finding your place can bring both opportunities and challenges. This experience has also shaped my appreciation for different cultures, backgrounds and individual experiences.

My approach is warm, collaborative and practical. I believe that understanding ourselves is an important part of making meaningful changes, but therapy is also about finding ways to move forward. Together, we can explore the thoughts, emotions and behaviours that may be holding you back and develop strategies to help you feel more confident and in control of your life.

I value having clear goals in therapy, but I also recognise that everyone's journey is different. Our sessions will be tailored to your individual needs, at a pace that feels right for you.

I don't believe therapists have all the answers, but I do believe that with the right support, understanding and practical tools, people can make meaningful and lasting changes.

I hold a degree in Master of Science (MSc) in Psychological Therapies (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and a Master of Arts (MA Hons) in Psychology, both from the University of Edinburgh.

My academic training has provided me with a strong foundation in understanding mental health, psychological difficulties and evidence-based therapeutic approaches.

I have experience working across a range of mental health settings, including the Centre for Psychological Therapies at the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Mental Health Service, private practice and at Edinburgh CBT & Counselling Services.

Throughout my career, I have supported adults, children and young people experiencing a wide range of psychological and emotional difficulties. My experience includes working with anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), emotional regulation difficulties, low self-esteem and complex mental health needs.

Alongside my CBT training, I have completed COSCA Counselling Skills training and undertaken further professional development in areas including compassion-focused therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), neurodiversity, Schema therapy, chairwork, self-esteem and culturally responsive therapeutic practice.

I am also undertaking professional training in clinical hypnotherapy to broaden the range of therapeutic approaches I can offer.

I am a member of the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and work in accordance with its professional and ethical standards, and I am a member of National Hypnotherapy Sociaty.

I believe that professional development is an ongoing process, and I regularly engage in clinical supervision and further training to ensure that my practice remains informed by current psychological research.

I work with adults and young people experiencing a variety of emotional and psychological difficulties. My approach focuses not only on reducing distress but also on helping people develop confidence, understand themselves better and create meaningful changes in their lives.

Anxiety and Excessive Worry

Supporting people experiencing generalised anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, persistent worrying and overthinking. Together, we explore unhelpful thinking patterns and develop practical strategies to manage anxiety.

Depression and Low Mood (including suicidal ideation)

Helping individuals experiencing sadness, loss of motivation, hopelessness or difficulties finding enjoyment in everyday life. Therapy focuses on understanding what maintains low mood and gradually rebuilding confidence, motivation and engagement in life.

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Working with intrusive thoughts, obsessive worries, compulsive behaviours and the need for certainty or reassurance. I use CBT approaches, including Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP), to help individuals change their relationship with obsessive thoughts and reduce compulsive behaviours.

Self-Esteem, Confidence and Self-Belief

Helping people who struggle with self-criticism, feelings of inadequacy, fear of judgement or the belief that they are not good enough. Therapy focuses on developing a more balanced, compassionate and confident relationship with yourself.

Perfectionism and Fear of Failure

Supporting individuals who place excessive pressure on themselves, fear making mistakes or struggle with unrealistic expectations. Together, we work towards developing healthier standards and greater self-acceptance.

People-Pleasing, Assertiveness and Boundaries

Helping individuals who find it difficult to say no, express their needs, manage criticism or prioritise themselves. Therapy can support you in developing healthier relationships, communicating more confidently and establishing boundaries.

Emotional Regulation and Anger

Supporting people who find emotions overwhelming, struggle to express their feelings or experience difficulties managing frustration and anger. We work on understanding emotional responses and developing healthier ways of responding.

Stress, Life Changes and Personal Growth

Helping individuals navigate challenging life transitions, relationship difficulties, work-related stress and feelings of being stuck. Therapy provides an opportunity to explore what matters to you, identify barriers and move towards a more fulfilling life.

My work is tailored to each individual, combining evidence-based CBT techniques with a compassionate and collaborative approach.

I believe that therapy should be more than just talking about difficulties. It should also help you understand yourself better, discover new perspectives and develop practical tools that you can use in everyday life.

My approach is warm, collaborative, compassionate and goal-focused. I want you to feel comfortable being yourself, without worrying about being judged or having to say the right thing.

I primarily use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), an evidence-based psychological approach that explores the connections between our thoughts, emotions, physical sensations and behaviours. Sometimes, without realising it, we develop patterns of thinking or behaving that keep us feeling anxious, unhappy or stuck. CBT helps us recognise these patterns and gradually make changes.

What can you expect from our sessions?

We will begin by exploring what has brought you to therapy, what you are experiencing and what you would like to change. You don't need to have everything figured out before we start.

Together, we will develop an understanding of your difficulties, including how they may have developed and what might be keeping them going.

I like therapy to have a clear direction, so we will work together to identify goals that are meaningful to you. However, I don't believe therapy should be rigid. Sometimes you may need space to talk, reflect or process difficult emotions, and that is equally important.

Therapy is a collaborative process. I won't simply tell you what to do or assume that I know what is best for you. Instead, we will explore your experiences together, question unhelpful beliefs and experiment with different ways of thinking and responding.

Depending on your needs, our sessions may involve:

- Understanding patterns of thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

- Exploring deeper beliefs about yourself and others.

- Learning practical strategies to manage anxiety, low mood or difficult emotions.

- Developing self-compassion, confidence and healthier boundaries.

- Gradually facing situations you may have been avoiding.

- Practising new skills and reflecting on your experiences between sessions.

I also encourage working between sessions. This might involve small exercises, reflection questions or trying something different in your everyday life. I believe that some of the most meaningful changes happen when we begin applying what we have learned outside the therapy room.

There is no expectation to get everything right. We will review what works, what doesn't and adapt our approach along the way.

My aim is not for you to depend on therapy indefinitely. I want to help you develop the understanding, confidence and skills to manage difficulties independently, so that eventually you feel ready to move forward without regular sessions.

Above all, I see therapy as a partnership. You bring your experiences and knowledge of yourself, and I bring psychological understanding, therapeutic tools and support. Together, we work towards changes that are meaningful and lasting for you.