Alison Gordon, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps toward a more meaningful life. It focuses less on fixing feelings and more on acting in line with personal values, which can help with depression, stress and life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and teaches practical strategies to change them. It is useful for anxiety, low mood and sleep or eating problems. Client-centred therapy prioritises listening and empathy, giving people space to lead the conversation and find their own solutions, which can be comforting for those dealing with grief, relationship issues or low self-esteem.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will work collaboratively to find methods that match a person's goals, preferences and the issues they bring. That might mean combining techniques from different approaches and reviewing what works as therapy progresses.

Online sessions offer flexibility and different ways to connect. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be quicker to arrange and use less bandwidth. Live chat or text-based messaging suits short check-ins, ongoing encouragement or people who prefer typing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and other commitments while accessing skilled, registered or accredited professionals.