Conny Golde, NCPS, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people move toward things that matter to them even when feelings are painful. It focuses on values, small actionable steps and learning to live with difficult thoughts rather than battling them. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CBT, looks at how thoughts, feelings and behaviours interact and uses practical exercises to shift unhelpful patterns and reduce symptoms such as anxiety and low mood. Client-Centred Therapy centres on being heard and understood; the counsellor offers empathic listening and reflection so someone can find their own solutions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk with each person about goals and preferences, and then suggest methods that match those aims. That choice is collaborative and can change as progress is made.

Online sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone appointments, live chat or text-based messaging. Video calls let people use visual cues and mirror in-person contact, while phone sessions use less bandwidth and can fit better around a busy day. Live chat and messaging are useful for brief check-ins, ongoing notes or when someone prefers writing to speaking. These options make it easier to fit therapy into everyday life and keep continuity between sessions.