Francesca Whitby, BACP

Francesca uses a client-centred approach that focuses on understanding each person's experience and responding with empathy. This way of working gives people space to talk at their own pace while the counsellor reflects and follows what matters most to them.

She also draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, which looks at patterns of thinking and behaviour that can keep someone feeling stuck. CBT offers practical exercises and small experiments to try between sessions, helping with issues like anxiety, low mood and sleep problems.

Finding the right approach is something Francesca treats as a joint process. She will work together with the person to test ideas, adapt techniques and choose what feels most helpful based on their goals and preferences. The aim is to build a plan that fits the person's needs rather than impose a single method.

Online therapy gives practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues, phone sessions work when a quieter call is preferable, and live chat or text messaging can suit short check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and other commitments while keeping the focus on steady progress.