Nicola Willmott, BACP

Nicola uses client-centred practice to focus on each person’s own experience and priorities. This means sessions start with what matters most to the client and the counsellor follows their pace. Client-centred work helps when someone needs space to make sense of feelings and choices.

She also draws on cognitive behavioural therapy, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. CBT-style work often includes practical experiments and simple steps to try between sessions, which suit online formats like phone or video. Mindfulness-influenced techniques are used to help people notice and manage strong emotions in the moment, with short exercises that can be practised day to day.

Finding the best way of working is collaborative. Nicola will discuss different approaches and agree a plan based on a person’s goals, needs and preferences. Adjustments are made as therapy progresses so the method fits the client rather than the other way around.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow a fuller, face-to-face style conversation. Phone sessions work well when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text-based messaging suit people who prefer writing or want to work in smaller steps. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and other commitments.