Lilia Sykes, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and take small steps in those directions. It mixes values work with practical exercises to reduce avoidance and build meaningful action, which can suit depression and life-change challenges.

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening, empathy and creating a non-judgemental space. This approach encourages people to set the pace and decide what to explore, useful for building self-trust and working through grief or shame.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and teaches straightforward techniques to test and change unhelpful patterns. It is often used for anxiety, low mood and sleep or eating concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the person about goals, preferences and practical needs, then try methods that fit. That collaborative process means approaches can be adjusted over time to suit how someone responds.

Online sessions offer flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and messaging. Video is helpful for face-to-face connection, phone calls need less bandwidth and can be easier when a shorter check-in is preferred, and messaging suits ongoing reflection or brief updates between meetings. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caring duties and busy lives while keeping continuity of support.