Who we Are
The Addiction Psychological Therapies Team (APTT) is based within the Borders Addiction Service (BAS). We work closely with our third sector drug and alcohol partner organisations: With You (WY) and Action for Children (CHIMES). We work together to improve the wellbeing and mental health of people in the Borders who have drug and alcohol problems.
What we offer
We provide assessment, formulation and therapy for people who experience mental health problems in the context of drug and alcohol difficulties. APTT has a number of psychological therapists with different types of training and backgrounds. We all specialise in working with people who experience problems with substances and we work with people in therapy on mental health difficulties such as anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and trauma. We work with you to understand your goals and to think together about how psychological therapy could help you make changes towards those goals.
We also provide a service for people with possible memory and thinking problems related to their substance use. We work with individuals, [this can include, couples, families and carers], whilst often working jointly with other members of our clinical team. We have good working relationships with local organisations and can offer information about other sources of support. In addition to individual approaches, we also offer a variety of therapeutic groups. We train and coach colleagues from different professions (e.g. nursing, occupational therapy, social work) in delivering lower intensity psychological interventions to help people access psychological support sooner.
Who might I see?
In our team, we have a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Nurse Psychological Therapist and Support Worker. For psychological therapy, you will usually be seen by a Clinical Psychologist or Nurse Psychological Therapist. In some cases you may be seen by a Clinical Psychologist in training or a Counselling Psychologist in training, or an Assistant Psychologist. Our support worker in the team is experienced working with substance use and can support people with issues around: housing; benefits; isolation; recovery; and generally helping people work towards their goals for making positive changes.
Where will I be seen?
Where possible, we will see you at a location near to where you live, usually in an NHS health centre or hospital building. Sometimes we way need to offer appointments at our base in Galashiels. At times, appointments may happen via phonecall or videocall, where this is needed or preferred.
How to access the service
We can receive referrals from other staff members from within our service (BAS) or from our drug and alcohol colleagues in With You or CHIMES.
Contact Us
Addiction Psychological Therapies Team
Borders Addiction Service
Galavale House
Tweed Road
Galashiels
TD1 3EB
📞 Call BAS Admin on 01896 664430
Wider Service
Click here for more information about Alcohol and Drugs Partnership (ADP) Support Team