Maria Rocha, BACP

Approaches that suit online counselling

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice their thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then take small actions that match their values. It can help with anxiety, depression and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour and uses practical exercises to shift unhelpful patterns. It is useful for phobias, stress and low mood. Attachment-Based Therapy explores how early relationships affect current reactions and helps people build safer, more helpful ways of relating to themselves and others.

Choosing the right mix of approaches is part of the work. The therapist will talk with each person about their goals, preferences and what has or has not helped before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust them over time if needed, so the plan stays practical and relevant.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls let people use visual cues and bodily presence when that helps. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or a camera is not wanted. Live chat and text-based messaging suit shorter check-ins, quick coping ideas and people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and travel while still working through the same therapeutic steps as face-to-face work.