Kenny Pang, BACP

Approaches for online counselling and practical change

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy helps people clarify what matters most to them and take small actions aligned with those values. It is useful for stress, anxiety and problems that involve avoidance or feeling stuck. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It offers straightforward tools to test unhelpful thinking and to build new habits, which can help with mood, anxiety, phobias and obsessive behaviours. Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk with the client about goals and preferences and then decide together which methods to try. This collaborative process means plans can change as progress is made. Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people see non-verbal cues and have fuller conversations. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier when someone needs a quieter check-in. Live chat or text-based messaging suits shorter check-ins or days when typing feels easier than speaking. Many people find that these options make it simpler to fit therapy into work and family life. Registered or accredited professionals can adapt exercises and homework to work well in each format, so people get a useful, goal-focused experience even when not meeting in person.