Tina Elliston, NCPS

Tina commonly combines client-centred work with cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness in online sessions. Client-centred therapy focuses on listening, understanding the person’s priorities and shaping sessions around their goals. It helps when someone needs space to talk and be heard while finding their own direction. Cognitive behavioural therapy looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers practical exercises to change unhelpful patterns; it is useful for anxiety, low mood and sleep problems. Mindfulness therapy teaches simple awareness and breathing practices to reduce stress and improve focus, which often helps with rumination and emotional regulation.

Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss options, try different techniques and adjust based on what feels most helpful. Clients and the therapist set goals together and review progress so the plan can change as needs evolve.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text messaging, which provide flexibility for different circumstances. Video is well suited to in-depth conversations and exercises, phone calls can be a good low-bandwidth option, live chat works for brief check-ins and text messaging supports ongoing reflection between sessions. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving and travel while maintaining continuity of care.