About Creative Therapies and Therapeutic Process

  • It’s a brief consultation where you meet the therapist, talk about what brings you here, ask questions, and decide together if it feels like a good fit.

  • No. Creative therapy is about expression, not skill. The process works with whatever you bring into the therapy space.

  • You can lead with preference. If unsure, we can guide you based on your goals, comfort and what you’re drawn to.

    We also offer a free initial consultation with up to three therapists, a great opportunity to explore different modalities.

  • Our therapists work in different ways. In a general sense it is a mix of conversation and creative exploration using materials, sound, movement or story. Guided by your therapist you set the pace.

  • It varies by person. Some work short-term, others longer. Your therapist will check in with you about timing.

  • Open-ended has no fixed end; time-limited is a structured model with a fixed amount of sessions and has a clear beginning, middle and ending.

    You can discuss what type of therapy you would like to engage in with your therapist. CATS is launching Pay-what-you-can time limited therapy in January 2026.

Suitability & Safety

  • Often yes, but not always. We check this through triage and your initial consultation.

  • Usually yes. We only need to know so we can coordinate safely and avoid conflicting support.

  • Often no. Active legal cases can place limits on what therapy can ethically provide. We assess this case-by-case.

    If you would like to know more we have a statement related to this in our policies and procedures page.

  • CATS is not a crisis service. We will direct you to urgent support and help you find the right service.

    Please visit our Need help now page if you are currently needing this type of support.

  • Yes, except in situations where there is risk of serious harm or a legal requirement to share information. This is something you would discuss with your therapist. CATS also has a document that explains our own confidentiality and privacy policy. You can learn more here.

Fees & Accessibility

  • We have a £40 to £60 sliding scale. You choose.

  •  Yes. We offer sliding-scale therapy and a low-cost Time-Limited Therapy programme.

  • Sometimes, depending on availability. We will tell you where things stand when you self refer.

  • Some therapists do. It depends on the therapist’s practice and clinical suitability.

    CATS does not offer online therapy as an option currently.

  • Our building is on the ground floor.

    The route to the therapy spaces includes two steps from reception to the hallway and two into the large therapy/workshop room; a ramp can be provided to make this step-free.

    Doorway/turning clearances limit the passable width to 28 inches (71 cm). Once in the hallway, the back rooms are level with no additional steps.

    Given these constraints, we cannot describe the premises as wheelchair accessible, and the route is unsuitable for the majority of wheelchair users, particularly where the chair exceeds 28 inches.

    Get in touch to check measurements or explore alternatives. CATS will do its best to continue to move in ways that become more physically accessible.

About the Therapists

  • You can meet our team here. All of our therapists are HCPC-registered Art, Music and Dramatherapists trained at a master’s level in psychotherapy.

    All of our resident therapists carry insurance, ICO and up to date PVG registrations, this is a requirement to be part of the Resident CATS team.

  • “Art Therapist,” “Dramatherapist,” and “Music Therapist” are legally protected titles in the UK.

    Only practitioners registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) can use these titles or provide these therapies.

    It is illegal, and fine-able, for anyone unregistered to call themselves an arts therapist or offer art, music or dramatherapy.

    HCPC registration ensures therapists meet strict professional, clinical and ethical standards.

  • We are not currently registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

    BACP membership is optional for Arts Therapists, and not a legal requirement. So some of our therapists might be, while others might not, therefore we don’t claim this in our website.

    However, we are working toward obtaining BACP membership as an organisation and future accreditation to strengthen our professional recognition and alignment across the wider counselling and psychotherapy field.

  • Yes. We will offer matches based on your preferences and needs. We then offer a free initial consultation with up to three therapists that you feel aligned with from our team.

  • Your free initial consultation helps you explore different therapists. If things don’t work out after starting, let your therapist know, we will support you in finding the right fit, within or outside CATS.

    If your concern is about unethical or inappropriate behaviour, please follow our complaints procedure.

Practicalities

  • Leith, Edinburgh. (full address in our contact page).

  • We are easy to reach by public transport:

    • Montgomery Street stop (Easter Road): Buses 35 and 1 — about a 3-minute walk.

    • Brunton Place stop (London Road): Buses 4, 5, 19, 34, 45, 253 — around 5 minutes’ walk.

    • Abbeyhill stop: Same buses as Brunton Place and Buses 15 and 26 — roughly 6 minutes’ walk.

    • McDonald Road tram stop: About a 12-minute walk.

    If you’re unsure which route works best, drop us a note and we’ll help you find the simplest way in.

  • Parking: Parking in the area can be limited. On Saturdays, some streets have more free parking but demand is higher. Free parking is usually available at Meadow Bank Shopping Centre (about a 10-minute walk) for up to 4 hours.

  • Contact your therapist directly. Their cancellation policy will apply.

  • Most therapists charge for a missed session.

    Your therapist will share their cancellation and missed session policy with you.

  • You can bring someone to the building, but sessions themselves are one-to-one unless agreed otherwise.

    We do ask not to bring someone with you unless it feels necessary as we have a small reception area.

  • Absolutely! Check in with your therapist first but CATS is very dog friendly.

For Parents/Carers

  • Sometimes. This depends on age, needs, and the therapist’s approach.

  • Your therapist will agree a feedback structure with you while keeping your child’s confidentiality at the centre.

  • All therapists follow HCPC standards, safeguarding procedures, and CATS’ internal policies.

    CATS requires therapists to provide up to date sole trading PVG registrations.

Therapeutic Boundaries

  • In most cases, no.

    Creative Arts Therapists do not provide court reports, assessments or advocacy letters. This is something we encourage you to clarify with your therapist.

  • No. We cannot offer therapy as part of legal processes or provide evidence for court.

  • This is something that each therapist has a different answer for due to the different ways of working. We encourage you to bring this question to your initial consultation.

    We are soon to bring out a document with useful questions to ask your therapist during your initial consultation.

Miscellaneuous

  •  Yes. Many of our therapists have experience with a wide range of neurodivergence.

  • Yes, but pacing and safety are central. Your therapist will work slowly and collaboratively.

  • That’s common. A different approach or therapeutic style may meet you better this time.

    Sometimes it is just about finding the right person.