Stella Sacarello, BACP

How person-centred care works online

Stella uses a person-centred approach which means sessions focus on what matters to the individual. The counsellor listens, reflects and follows the client's pace so people can explore feelings, values and choices in their own words. This method is helpful for anxiety, low self-esteem and life transitions.

She also works with grief-focused conversation techniques that allow people to talk about loss at a steady pace. These conversations aim to help make sense of difficult experiences and to find ways of carrying on that feel manageable. For issues linked to identity and sexuality, Stella offers supportive discussion that centres the client's own understanding of themselves.

Finding the right approach is part of the process and the therapist will work collaboratively to decide what fits best. That discussion will consider the client's goals, how they like to communicate and what they hope to get from sessions. Plans can be reviewed and adjusted as needs change.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, offering flexibility for different routines. Video lets you see facial expression and body language, phone sessions need less bandwidth and can be easier when you prefer not to be on camera, and messaging suits brief check-ins or people who express themselves better in writing. These options can help fit therapy into work, study or family schedules while keeping the focus on meaningful progress.