Susan Clayton, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice unhelpful thoughts and choose actions that match their values. It is useful for anxiety, low mood and life changes by focusing on what matters rather than trying to stop thoughts. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses practical exercises to break unhelpful patterns. It often helps with anxiety, depression and stress by teaching new coping skills. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationship patterns affect current connections and emotional reactions, helping people change repeating patterns in relationships.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what has or has not helped before. Together they will choose one or more methods and adapt them as progress is made, keeping the plan practical and collaborative.

Online therapy offers flexibility for people with busy lives or mobility limits. Video calls recreate face-to-face conversation, phone sessions work when bandwidth is low or a shorter check-in is needed, and live chat or text-based messaging can fit around work or childcare. These options make it easier to keep regular appointments, try therapeutic exercises between meetings and maintain momentum toward goals.