Debra Laking
Compassionate integrative counsellor for life changes
About Debra
Debra Laking is a counsellor who draws on humanistic, integrative approaches to help people through hard times. She brings a calm, non-judgemental presence and aims to create a space where clients can speak openly about what is worrying them. Debra holds BACP membership, which is shown as BACP in her credentials, and works from the United Kingdom.
Her main focus areas include stress, anxiety, relationship problems, grief and self-esteem. She also supports people coping with life changes and a broad range of related concerns such as caregiver strain, isolation, illness, and communication difficulties.
Background and approach
Debra adapts her style to what each person needs rather than using one fixed method. In sessions she listens first and then offers tools and strategies people can practise between meetings. Those may come from approaches like acceptance and commitment therapy, cognitive behavioural work, mindfulness, client-centred exploration or relationship-focused techniques.
The aim is to help people manage distress and make practical changes that suit their lives. Debra’s way of working is straightforward and warm. She encourages people to notice their strengths and to take small steps toward goals that matter to them.
The emphasis is on realistic, achievable progress rather than quick fixes. Many people choose to try talking therapy when they feel overwhelmed or unsure what to do next. Debra offers a steady, compassionate presence and practical suggestions to help people regain a sense of direction and cope better day to day.
What Debra works with
How Debra works
Listed by Debra among the ways they work.
Listed by Debra among the ways they work.
Listed by Debra among the ways they work.
Listed by Debra among the ways they work.
Listed by Debra among the ways they work.
Listed by Debra among the ways they work.
Sessions & fees
How Debra’s approaches work online
Debra uses approaches such as acceptance and commitment therapy and client-centred work to guide online sessions. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) helps people notice thoughts and feelings without being ruled by them, and supports committing to values-based actions that matter. Client-centred therapy focuses on listening, empathy and helping people find their own solutions through thoughtful questioning and reflection.Finding the right approach is part of the collaborative work. Debra will discuss goals, try methods that fit the person, and adjust the plan as therapy progresses. The process is shared - decisions about techniques and pacing happen together so the work feels relevant and manageable.
Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, which make it easier to fit therapy around work, caregiving and mobility needs. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be a good option when bandwidth is limited or a calmer audio-only check-in is preferred. Chat and messaging suit shorter check-ins, notes between sessions, or people who do better with written communication. These options aim to make regular contact easier and more flexible for different lifestyles and schedules.
| Session length | Typically 50 minutes |
|---|---|
| Client ages | Adults, 18 and over |
| Fees | Subscription via BetterHelp, cancel anytime |
| Insurance | Not billed directly |
Questions people ask
What issues does Debra commonly help with?
What style of therapy does she use?
How much experience does she have?
Where is she based and what are her credentials?
Can I work with her if I live outside the UK?
Which session formats are offered?
How much do sessions cost?
What is the first step to begin therapy?
Areas of focus
What this therapist works with
Most often
- Stress, Anxiety
- Relationship issues
- Grief
Also listed
- Aging and geriatric issues
- Attachment issues
- Autism and Asperger Syndrome
- Cancer
- Caregiver issues and stress
- Commitment issues
- Communication problems
- Control issues
- Coping with life changes
- Divorce and separation
- First responder issues
- Forgiveness
- Guilt and shame
- Hospice and end-of-life counselling
- Isolation / loneliness
- Life purpose
- Midlife crisis
- Narcissism
- Panic disorder and panic attacks
- Post-traumatic stress
- Self esteem
- Self-love
- Sexuality
- Women's issues
- Workplace issues
Therapeutic approaches
- Experience
- 4 years
- Registered with
- BACP
- Languages
- English
