Elaine Devlin, NCPS

Client-Centred work focuses on listening and empathy. In practice this means the therapist reflects what the client says, helps them feel understood and supports them to find their own solutions. This approach is useful when someone needs space to make sense of painful feelings.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. Sessions often include straightforward exercises and homework such as tracking thoughts or testing out new behaviours to reduce anxiety or low mood. CBT can be especially helpful for panic, phobias, insomnia and depression symptoms.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy concentrates on feelings in close relationships and on identifying and expressing emotions more clearly. It can help with loneliness, social anxiety and patterns that repeat in relationships by building new ways to respond to difficult emotions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Elaine will discuss options with each person and together they will decide what to try first, adjusting methods as progress is reviewed. This is a collaborative process guided by the client's goals and preferences.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls let people see facial cues and work in real time. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text messaging can suit brief check-ins, ongoing support between sessions, or people who find writing easier than speaking. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, caregiving or busy schedules while keeping the focus on practical help and progress.