Rachael Holden, NCPS

Rachael uses client-centred work to place the person's priorities at the heart of sessions. This means conversations focus on what matters to the individual, with the counsellor following their lead to set goals and pace the work. It helps people who need a steady, supportive presence while they process difficult feelings.

She also draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, a practical approach that looks at connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. CBT helps with anxiety, low mood and sleep or eating problems by teaching small, evidence-based skills to change unhelpful patterns. Mindfulness practices are offered to support grounding, reduce rumination and improve the ability to notice thoughts without getting swept away by them.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk through options, try different techniques, and agree what feels most helpful. Goals, preferences and practical circumstances all shape the plan so work stays relevant and manageable.

Online therapy with Rachael uses video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to offer flexibility. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and reading cues, phone calls suit shorter check-ins or when bandwidth is limited, and messaging can support ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving or travel while keeping the focus on steady progress.