Nicola Vernon, BACP

Nicola combines person-centred talking with practical techniques to help with mood and coping. Person-centred work means the client sets the agenda while the counsellor reflects and listens closely to what matters most. This approach helps people feel heard and begin to make sense of their emotions. She also uses cognitive behavioural techniques to identify patterns of thinking and to test small changes in behaviour. CBT can be useful for problems such as persistent low mood, anxiety and sleep disruption because it breaks issues into thoughts, feelings and actions that can be worked on together. Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Nicola will discuss options with the client and adapt methods to the person’s needs, goals and preferences. She aims to agree on practical steps and pace so sessions feel manageable and relevant. Online therapy offers flexibility for busy routines. Video calls work well for deeper conversations that use visual cues, phone sessions suit shorter check-ins or when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text messaging can be used for quick reflections and ongoing support between calls. These formats make it easier to fit counselling around work, caregiving or study commitments.