Caroline McMenamin, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people clarify what matters to them and take steps in that direction despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It can help with anxiety, depression and motivation by shifting attention toward personal values and small, practical actions.

Client-Centred Therapy puts the person’s experience at the centre. The therapist offers empathic listening and reflection so clients can make sense of their feelings and discover their own solutions. This approach suits people who need a steady, supportive space to talk things through.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and teaches practical skills to change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, low mood and sleep issues through structured exercises and short experiments.

Finding the right blend of methods is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most helpful, then adapt techniques over time. This is a collaborative process and changes can be made if something does not fit.

Online therapy offers flexibility for different schedules and needs. Video calls let people see facial cues and keep a conversational flow. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging suit shorter check-ins, reflective writing or when someone prefers not to use voice or video. These options make it easier to fit therapy into work, study and family life.