Laura Kirk, BACP

How body-aware and trauma-focused approaches work online

Client-Centred Therapy places the client at the heart of the work. The counsellor listens without directing, and sessions follow what matters most to the person. This approach helps when someone needs space to make sense of feelings and priorities.

Somatic Therapy pays attention to bodily signals - tension, breath or sensations - as clues to emotional states. Online sessions can guide people to notice these signals and learn simple regulation practices that reduce reactivity over time. It is often useful for anxiety, trauma responses and stress-related symptoms.

Trauma-Focused Therapy works with memories and reactions that continue to cause distress. Techniques used aim to process upsetting experiences and reduce their hold on daily life. This approach can be helpful for people who notice recurring triggers or physical responses tied to past events.

Finding the right way of working is a shared task. The counsellor will talk through options and adjust methods based on each person's needs, goals and preferences. Clients are invited to give feedback so the style of sessions can change as progress is made.

Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls let you keep visual contact and read non-verbal cues, while phone sessions can be simpler when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging suit shorter check-ins or people who prefer typing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and daily life.