Claire Smith, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being driven by them, and then choose actions that match their values. It can be useful for depression, anxiety and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thought patterns and testing new behaviours through small experiments between sessions. That approach often helps with low mood and worry. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how earlier relationships shape current ways of relating, which can be helpful for intimacy issues and recurring relationship patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Claire treats the choice of method as a shared decision. She listens to your goals and preferences, explains options in simple terms, and tries methods that fit your pace and needs. Over a few sessions she will review progress and adapt the plan as necessary.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video lets you use visual cues and have a fuller conversation, while phone sessions can be lighter on bandwidth and easier to fit into a break. Live chat or text messaging can work for shorter check-ins, written reflections or when typing feels more comfortable. These options make it easier to get consistent support around work, family life or other commitments, and to try therapy without travelling to appointments.