My Story
People often ask how I came to be a psychologist. The truth is, there wasn’t a single defining moment. I grew up in a small town in Scotland and spent part of my childhood living in the Middle East, experiences that shaped my understanding of identity, belonging, and adaptation from an early age.
My interest in psychology developed during my later school years, as I watched friends and family navigate their own struggles — and as I encountered my own. Seeing the different ways people cope with life’s challenges sparked a lasting curiosity about human resilience, suffering, and change.
Dr. Nicola McCaffrey
I completed my undergraduate training in psychology at the University of Edinburgh, followed by a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Glasgow. My education provided the foundation for the work I continue to do today, but it is the people I meet in the therapy room who remain my greatest teachers. I feel genuinely privileged to witness the courage, vulnerability, and complexity of the individuals and couples I work with.
Living and working abroad has also shaped my clinical perspective. As an expat myself, I have a particular interest in the emotional challenges that can arise when living between cultures — questions of identity, belonging, and feeling at home. This lived experience allows me to bring both empathy and real-world understanding to my work with international clients.
Alongside my clinical work, I’ve long been interested in public mental health and education. I’m curious about how ideas from psychology can be communicated in accessible, human language, and how books, writing, and conversation can support emotional literacy and wellbeing beyond the therapy room. I continue to be inspired by thinkers and clinicians such as Brené Brown, Alain de Botton, and Esther Perel.
“Success as a therapist is not found in doing something for the client, but rather in being someone for the client”
At the heart of my work is a belief that therapy should be collaborative, human, and engaged. I bring my real self into the therapy room — warm, thoughtful, and present — while maintaining clear professional and ethical boundaries. I take time to explore complexity carefully, but I also support people toward change, helping them make sense of their experiences and move forward in ways that feel meaningful and grounded.
I began my professional career in 2008, working as a Clinical Psychologist within the NHS in Scotland, while also developing a private practice. In 2013, my family life brought me to Norway, where I have since worked full-time in private practice, supporting an English-speaking international community.
Earlier in my career, I was involved in academic research, with a focus on autism spectrum conditions in children, and have published several papers in this area. Over time, I chose to dedicate my energy fully to clinical work, which remains the core of my professional life.
Thanks for reading my story. Now perhaps you can begin yours...
THERAPY IS FOR EVERYONE
Therapy is for absolutely everyone because it is in fact entirely normal to have feelings and emotions, and even to feel overwhelmed and stressed.
The benefits of therapy extend far beyond periods of crisis. As well as helping us to recover when we experience challenges in our lives, therapy can help you to become the happiest, most productive, most loving version of yourself. Because achieving your full potential requires an incredible amount of self-knowledge, self-control, and—let’s be honest—hard work, impressive results can be achieved even during a trauma free times.
Is this the right fit for you?
Finding the right therapist is about more than qualifications alone. It’s important that you feel comfortable, understood, and able to work openly with the person you choose.
I work collaboratively and actively, supporting people to make sense of what they’re experiencing and to move toward meaningful change. Sessions are thoughtful and engaged, and suited to those who are curious about themselves and willing to reflect, explore, and try new ways of responding to familiar patterns.
As a Clinical Psychologist, my training and experience allow me to work across a wide range of emotional and psychological difficulties, including anxiety, low mood, trauma, relationship challenges, and major life transitions. My approach is integrative and evidence-based, and always tailored to the individual or couple in front of me rather than a fixed model.
If you’re looking for a therapist who offers a calm, grounded space, alongside gentle challenge and practical support, we may be a good fit. If you’re unsure, you’re very welcome to get in touch — there’s no obligation, and no such thing as a silly question.
