Dr. Pegah Houshmand, HCPC

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings while choosing actions that match their values. It is useful for long-standing worry, depression, and coping with life change. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CBT, focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking patterns and testing different behaviours to reduce distress and improve sleep or mood. It is often used for anxiety, panic, and low mood. Emotionally-Focused Therapy, EFT, concentrates on emotional experiences in close relationships and can help with intimacy-related concerns and rebuilding connection.

Finding the right way of working is part of the process. The therapist will discuss these approaches with the client and jointly decide what feels most helpful. They will adapt techniques to fit each person's goals, preferences and day-to-day reality rather than sticking rigidly to one model.

Online therapy gives practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions need less bandwidth and can be easier during a busy day. Live chat and text-based messaging suit short check-ins, written reflection, or people who prefer typing. Together these options make it easier to keep therapy consistent around work, travel or family commitments.