Joel Burns, NCPS

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting overwhelmed by them. It often includes simple exercises to clarify values and take small, meaningful steps towards what matters. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and testing them with practical tasks. It is useful for anxiety, low mood and patterns that maintain distress. Client-Centred Therapy puts the person’s experience at the centre of the work, using empathic listening and reflection to help someone feel understood and to build self-trust.

Finding the right approach is part of the work itself. Joel will explore which methods suit the person’s goals and comfort. He uses a collaborative process so the person and counsellor decide together what to try and when to change direction.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat or text-based messaging to suit different needs. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited or when someone needs a quick check-in. Live chat and messaging are useful for shorter reflections, ongoing support between sessions or when writing feels easier than speaking. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit around work, family and travel.