Psychological support for when exercise feels complicated — whether it's pain, anxiety, confidence, or just not knowing where to start again.
Book a 15-minute conversation
The Approach
We take a collaborative approach centred around what's important to you. We orientate towards the changes you want to make in your life, using evidence-based psychological tools and your inherent strengths to start making progress towards them.
Moving at a speed that respects your nervous system and validates your current lived experience.
Shifting attention away from what is "broken" towards uncovering your inherent strengths and what is already working.
Learning to unhook from difficult thoughts and fears, so they no longer dictate your actions.
Reconnecting with what matters to you around health, rather than moving out of guilt or expectation.
Chartered Sport & Exercise Psychologist
I'm Andy - a chartered psychologist based in Edinburgh with over 15 years of experience working with the psychological side of movement and physical activity.
I know that when exercise feels difficult, the reasons usually aren't just physical. Pain, anxiety, low confidence, a health condition that changed everything - these things get tangled together, and "just get back out there" doesn't really help.
My role is to help you make sense of what's getting in the way, and to work with you - at your pace - to start finding a way through it. Not with pressure or programmes, but through honest conversation, evidence-based psychology, and a genuine respect for where you are right now.
You don't need to be an athlete. You don't need a plan. You just need to feel ready for a conversation.
Accepted insurance providers
Is This For You?
You want to exercise but gym environments make you feel anxious, self-conscious, or intimidated
You've been told to exercise for your health, but fear of pain or re-injury keeps you stuck
You're recovering from injury and struggling with the mental side of getting back to training
You're living with a chronic condition and feel disconnected from your body and movement
You used to be active and don't know how to begin again after a setback or life change
You're tired of "just push through it" advice and want a psychologically-informed approach
You want support that acknowledges the emotional side of exercise, not just the physical
Getting started
If any of this sounds like it might be helpful, you're very welcome to get in touch. There's no commitment in doing so, and this is roughly how things tend to go from there.
Through the contact form, with as much or as little detail as you like, and we'll find a time to talk.
No pressure. A chance to talk about what you're hoping for, hear a bit about what's going on for you, and for me to explain how I work.
Working together to map out what's going on, and to explore your hopes and the signs that things are moving in the right direction.
Working on what matters most to you, in whatever way fits. That might mean looking at what's already working, ways of handling what's getting in the way, or some psychological information where it helps.
Looking back at what's changed and deciding together whether to carry on. Some people find they need fewer sessions, and that's fine too.
Sessions are booked one at a time, with no block to commit to. If you've been referred by a coach or clinician, with your agreement I'll share a brief update with them after your first session and at the review.
On the strengths that drive you, and why rehab asks you to hold them a little differently.
On the uncertainty of injury rehab, and the small acts that help you stay yourself.
No pressure, just a 15-minute conversation to see if we're the right fit to work together.