Lynne Mollison, BACP, NCPS

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and responding to what matters most to the person. In practice this means sessions concentrate on the client’s priorities, with the counsellor reflecting and asking questions to help clarify feelings and choices. This approach suits people wanting a supportive space to make sense of their experience.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It uses practical exercises and simple experiments to challenge unhelpful thinking and build new coping habits, which can help with anxiety, low mood and sleep problems.

Mindfulness work introduces brief exercises to increase awareness of the present moment and reduce reactivity. These practices can be used between sessions to manage stress and improve sleep patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will invite discussion about goals and preferences and will adjust methods as progress is reviewed. This collaborative process helps decide whether to focus more on thinking patterns, past experience or practical problem-solving.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to fit different needs. Video lets you speak face to face; phone can be a good choice when bandwidth is low or when you prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and messaging support brief check-ins or ongoing written work. These options make it easier to schedule therapy around work, study or family commitments, and to keep momentum between sessions.