Martin Ollington, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without being driven by them, then choose actions that match their values; it is often used for anxiety, depression and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns and testing new ways of responding, which can help with panic, low mood and sleep problems. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationship patterns affect current connections and helps people experiment with safer emotional responses in relationships.

Deciding which approach to use is collaborative. The therapist will talk through options, try things out and adjust methods to fit the person’s needs and goals. Often approaches are blended so the work can be practical one week and more relational the next.

Online therapy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, making it easier to fit sessions into busy lives. Video calls work well for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier during a short break, and messaging suits quick check-ins or ongoing support between sessions. These options give flexibility while keeping the focus on clear goals and practical progress.