Mary Honeyball, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It’s useful for stress, anxiety and depression because it focuses on small, meaningful steps rather than chasing perfect mood changes. Attachment-based ideas look at how early relationships shape present patterns. In therapy this can help people understand why they react a certain way in close relationships and try different, healthier ways of connecting. Client-centred therapy puts the person’s experience at the heart of sessions, with the counsellor offering non-judgemental listening and support to help someone find their own answers.

Finding the right mix of these approaches is part of the work. The counsellor collaborates with each person to choose techniques that fit their goals and daily life. That might mean practising a short exercise between sessions, trying a new response in relationship moments, or focusing on values-led steps to manage low mood.

Online formats make that collaboration easier to fit into a busy life. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when clearer expression helps. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be a good option for a quieter check-in. Live chat or text-based messaging suits shorter check-ins, notes between sessions or people who prefer writing. These options help people access therapy with more flexibility and fewer scheduling barriers.