Eleni Ourani, BACP

Approaches that suit online counselling

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting relationship. The counsellor follows the person's lead and helps them make sense of their feelings and choices, which can help with low mood, self-worth and relationship concerns.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at patterns of thinking and behaviour and offers practical exercises to change unhelpful cycles. It is often used for anxiety, panic attacks, phobias and low mood because it gives clear tools people can use between sessions.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people clarify what matters to them and to act in line with those values despite difficult thoughts or feelings. It can be useful for stress, motivation problems and coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to identify what fits the person's goals, needs and preferences. Plans are reviewed as therapy progresses and methods are adjusted when something is not working.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people see non-verbal cues and work through material face to face. Phone sessions require less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a lunch break or commute. Live chat and text-based messaging suit short check-ins or people who prefer writing to speaking. These options make it easier to keep continuity of care and to choose the format that best matches daily life.