Business Details
9 Years
experience
Specialist Psychological Services Edinburgh
Prime Psychology is an independent psychology practice specialising in clinical assessment and therapeutic intervention for children, adolescents, adults, and families. Founded by Dr Tara Pennington-Twist, a HCPC registered Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years' experience, our team delivers evidence-based therapies tailored to individual needs. We provide specialist assessments for Autism Spectrum Conditions alongside treating anxiety, trauma, behavioural difficulties, and neurodivergent presentations. Our multidisciplinary team includes psychotherapists, occupational therapists, and addiction specialists who integrate approaches like CBT, EMDR, and MBT. We prioritise collaborative working with clients, educational institutions, and legal authorities to ensure comprehensive support.Offering both face-to-face and remote consultations, we maintain professional standards through regular clinical supervision and adherence to BPS/HCPC guidelines. Our services extend to clinical supervision for professionals, court expert witness assessments, and organisational training. We operate from purpose-designed premises in Edinburgh while providing community-based assessments where appropriate. Our commitment to ethical practice is demonstrated through transparent service delivery and professional registrations. We continuously update our skills through specialist training in emerging therapeutic approaches.
Services
Psychological Assessment
Autism Assessment
Cognitive Therapy
Trauma Treatment
Clinical Supervision
Parent Support
Occupational Therapy
Addiction Counselling
School Consultations
Court Reports
Details
- Year established: 2017
Highlights and features
- We provide specialist autism assessments using gold-standard tools like ADOS-2 and ADI-R
- Our team includes HCPC-registered clinical psychologists and BACP-accredited therapists
- We combine evidence-based approaches including CBT, EMDR and mentalization-based therapies
- We offer multidisciplinary assessments integrating input from educational and family sources
- We maintain clinical governance through regular supervision and professional development
Associations and certifications
- British Psychological Society
- Health and Care Professions Council
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
Services
Psychological Assessment
We conduct comprehensive psychological assessments for children, adolescents, and adults using standardised tools. Our assessments include developmental history reviews, observational assessments like ADOS-2, and formulation of tailored treatment plans. The process involves gathering information from multiple sources including families, educators, and medical professionals to ensure accurate diagnosis and effective intervention planning.
Autism Assessment
Our specialist autism assessments follow NICE and SIGN guidelines using gold-standard tools like ADOS-2 and ADI-R. We assess children (3-18 years) and adults across gender and developmental spectrums. The multidisciplinary approach includes developmental history, observational assessments, and formulation according to DSM-V and ICD-11 criteria with comprehensive feedback and post-diagnostic support.
Trauma Treatment
We provide evidence-based trauma interventions including EMDR, trauma-focused CBT, and mentalization-based therapies. Our specialists treat PTSD and complex trauma presentations in children, adolescents, and adults. Treatment focuses on establishing safety, processing traumatic memories, and developing coping strategies to manage symptoms and prevent relapse.
Clinical Supervision
We offer HCPC-compliant clinical supervision to psychologists and mental health practitioners. Supervision incorporates case management, ethical practice, and professional development. Our supervision model integrates systemic and reflective approaches to support clinical decision-making and maintain service quality across both NHS and private practice settings.
Parent Support
We provide specialist support to parents navigating child mental health challenges. Services include reflective parenting, behavioural management strategies, and post-diagnostic support. Our team helps families improve communication, develop coping strategies, and strengthen parent-child relationships using evidence-based approaches adapted to each family's unique circumstances.
People
Dr Tara Pennington-Twist
Clinical Psychologist
Chartered Consultant Clinical Psychologist with over 20 years' experience in child mental health. Specialises in evidence-based therapies for emotional and behavioural difficulties. Trained in CBT, EMDR, MBT and trauma-focused interventions. Holds NHS and private practice experience.
Dr Claudia Coelho
Clinical Psychologist
Senior clinical psychologist specialising in adult mental health with 25 years' experience. Expert in MBT, CBT and trauma therapies. Provides individual therapy and clinical supervision. Combines NHS and private practice experience in complex mental health presentations.
Valerie Caird
Psychotherapist
BACP-registered psychotherapist with 30 years' experience working with children and families. Specialises in play therapy and parent support. Holds advanced qualifications from University of Edinburgh. Provides therapeutic interventions for emotional and behavioural difficulties across age groups.
Rhona McAlpine
Occupational Therapist
HCPC-registered specialist occupational therapist with 13 years' experience in child mental health. Focuses on sensory integration and neurodevelopmental conditions. Combines NHS and private practice expertise in supporting children with ASC and ADHD through practical, family-centred approaches.
Ali Laslett
Addiction Therapist
Accredited addiction professional specialising in substance misuse and compulsive behaviours. Provides evidence-based therapy for older adolescents and adults. Integrates psychological, biological and social factors in treating addiction and supporting long-term recovery with family involvement where appropriate.
Questions
What psychological services do you offer for children?
We provide specialist assessments and therapy for children aged 0-18 with emotional, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental difficulties including autism spectrum conditions, anxiety disorders, and trauma-related presentations.
Do you provide autism assessments for adults?
Yes, we offer comprehensive autism assessments for adults using NICE/ASC guidelines, including ADOS-2 assessments and clinical interviews with developmental history reviews.
What therapeutic approaches do your psychologists use?
Our team integrates evidence-based approaches including cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), mentalization-based therapy (MBT) and trauma-focused CBT.
Can you work with clients outside Edinburgh?
While based in Edinburgh we can provide remote assessments via video link and make arrangements for community-based assessments across Scotland when clinically appropriate.
Do you offer court expert witness services?
Yes, we provide expert psychological assessment and reporting services for family court proceedings, including child protection cases and parental capacity assessments.
What qualifications do your therapists hold?
Our team includes HCPC-registered clinical psychologists, BACP-accredited psychotherapists, and specialist occupational therapists with postgraduate qualifications in mental health fields.
