Tracey Johnstone, NCPS

Approaches that suit online therapy

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and responding to what the person brings. The counsellor follows the clients pace, reflects understanding and helps people identify their own next steps. This approach can help with low mood, self-esteem, life transitions and ongoing stress.

Trauma-focused therapy concentrates on reducing the ongoing effects of distressing events. It helps people make sense of painful memories and develop practical ways to manage triggers and intense feelings. This work can support recovery from abuse, bereavement and complex stress reactions.

Choosing the right way of working is part of the therapy process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels manageable, then recommend or adapt approaches together. That collaborative decision makes it easier to try methods that fit the persons needs.

Online sessions offer flexibility and different ways to take part. Video calls give near face-to-face conversations and a fuller sense of non-verbal cues. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can suit people who prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text-based messaging allow shorter check-ins, paced reflection and written notes to revisit later. Together these formats make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family or mobility needs, and to continue work between sessions when useful.