Tuesday Benfield, BACP

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, or ACT, helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them and focus on actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood and life transitions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, CBT, looks directly at thought patterns and behaviours and gives practical exercises to change them; this approach suits problems like anxiety, depression and unhelpful routines. Client-centred work puts the person leading the conversation so the counsellor follows and reflects, which helps build trust and clarity about what matters most.

Finding the right mix of methods is part of the work. The counsellor will discuss goals and preferences, then try approaches that fit. That means sessions can shift over time - more practical exercises at one stage and more listening or attachment-focused work at another - and the client has input throughout.

Online formats include video calls, telephone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, which give greater flexibility for different schedules. Video is useful when visual connection helps the relationship, phone calls work well when bandwidth is limited, and messaging can fit short check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to arrange regular sessions around work, caring commitments or travel.