Alan Opfer, BACP

Client-centred therapy puts the person’s experience at the heart of every session. The counsellor listens carefully and follows what matters most to the client, helping them find their own solutions and build confidence in decision-making. This approach is helpful for people working through identity, relationship or recovery questions.

Mindfulness therapy teaches simple attention and breathing practices to reduce reactivity and steady mood. Those short exercises can be useful for managing cravings, stress, anxiety and overwhelming emotions between sessions.

Solution-focused therapy concentrates on small, practical steps rather than long explanations. Sessions identify immediate goals and build tiny, achievable actions that add up to change over time. That method suits people who want clear tasks and fast feedback.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The counsellor will discuss goals and preferences and then adapt the mix of person-centred listening, mindfulness and solution-focused tasks together with the client. That collaborative planning helps shape sessions around what actually helps the individual.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video is useful for fuller conversations when time allows, phone calls work well for shorter check-ins or when bandwidth is low, and chat or text can suit quick updates or people who prefer typing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving and other commitments.