Rebecca Hepson, BACP

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on what matters to the person in the room. The counsellor follows the client's lead, reflects feelings and helps the person identify their own solutions. This approach is useful for issues like self-esteem, relationship doubts and life direction.

Somatic Therapy pays attention to how stress and trauma show up in the body. Work may involve noticing breath, posture or physical sensations to release tension and anchor new ways of responding. This can help with anxiety, somatisation and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Trauma-Focused Therapy looks directly at traumatic experiences in manageable ways. It aims to reduce the power of past events so daily life feels less overwhelming, and it can be helpful after sexual assault, abuse or other traumatic incidents.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide which methods suit their needs, goals and personal preferences. That decision can change over time as progress is reviewed and goals shift.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when visual cues matter. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or when someone prefers not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging suit brief check-ins, journalling between sessions or people who find writing easier than speaking. Registered or accredited professionals can use these formats to make therapy fit around work, family and travel commitments.