Mandy Parnell, BACP

Attachment-based work focuses on patterns formed in close relationships. It looks at how early bonds shape trust, closeness and reactions to stress, and helps people try new ways of relating. Client-centred therapy puts the person’s experience at the heart of sessions; the therapist listens deeply, reflects what is said and follows the client’s pace to build understanding and agency. Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, examines the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and offers practical techniques to change unhelpful patterns and manage symptoms such as anxiety or low mood.

Finding the right approach is part of the process and the therapist will work together with the client to choose what fits best. That may mean combining elements from these approaches, reviewing what helps, and adjusting the focus as goals evolve. Decisions are guided by the person’s needs, preferences and what feels most useful in session.

Online work can make therapy easier to fit into a busy life. Video calls let people see each other and use visual cues, phone sessions are helpful when bandwidth is limited, and live chat or text messaging can suit shorter check-ins or days when writing feels easier. These options give flexibility for scheduling, allow sessions from different locations and help people maintain continuity of care when travel or time is a barrier.