Svetlana Hodge, BACP

How person-centred work translates to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening with empathy and responding without judgment. It helps people who feel stuck, anxious or low to talk things through and reconnect with their own resources. The therapist follows the client’s lead and offers reflection rather than direction.

In online sessions that approach is delivered through conversation and careful listening, whether by video, phone or text. Each format lets the therapist tune into what the client needs and adapt questions, pacing and emotional support accordingly. This can be particularly useful for people dealing with life transitions, parenting stress or ongoing health concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with the client to decide what feels most helpful based on needs, goals and personal preference. That might mean trying video sessions for deeper conversations or shorter text check-ins between meetings to maintain momentum.

Practical benefits of online therapy include flexible scheduling and easier access from different locations. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can suit people with limited bandwidth, and live chat or text messaging can be used for brief check-ins or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family and daily life.