Ian Wilson, BACP, NCPS

Approaches that guide online sessions

Client-Centred Therapy places the person’s experience at the heart of the work. The counsellor listens without judgement and follows what matters most to the client, helping them find their own solutions and sense of direction.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and actions. It uses practical exercises and experiments to reduce anxiety, manage panic attacks and change unhelpful habits in everyday life.

Trauma-Focused Therapy gives space to look at distressing experiences in a safe, paced way. It helps people reduce the hold of painful memories and build steadier coping skills when past events affect day-to-day life.

Deciding which approach to use is a shared process. The therapist will work collaboratively to understand goals, symptoms and preferences, and then try methods that fit the person. That can mean combining listening, practical CBT tasks and careful trauma work over time.

Online sessions offer flexibility and practical benefits. Video calls let people use visual cues and a fuller conversation. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or a quieter voice check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging suit shorter check-ins, day-to-day coaching or when writing thoughts helps clarify things. Together these formats make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family and daily life.