Kelsey Young, BACP, NCPS

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them. It involves identifying values and taking small actions that matter, which can help when mood or motivation is low. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses simple experiments and exercises to shift unhelpful patterns; this can be useful for anxiety, low mood and sleep problems. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationships shape current ways of connecting; when relationship or intimacy issues are central, this helps name patterns and try new ways of relating.

Finding the right approach is often part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences and try methods that fit the person’s needs. That collaborative process means approaches can be mixed and adjusted over time rather than fixed from the start.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat, or text-based messaging. Video mirrors a face-to-face feel for deeper conversations, phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit a break at work, live chat is handy for shorter check-ins, and messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options aim to make therapy easier to fit into everyday life while keeping the focus on practical progress and understanding.