Jo Read

Approaches that guide online sessions

Client-centred work puts the person’s experience at the heart of the session. The counsellor listens closely, reflects what they hear and helps the client choose the issues to focus on. This approach suits people who want a respectful, non-directive space to think things through.

Emotionally-Focused Therapy supports people to identify and work with core feelings that shape relationships and self-worth. It helps when emotions feel overwhelming or when connections with others are strained, and it offers exercises to notice and shift those patterns.

Psychodynamic ideas help people notice long-standing patterns and how past experiences influence present choices. This can be useful for understanding recurring difficulties such as low self-esteem, relationship repeats or entrenched emotional responses.

Choosing an approach is part of the work and will be decided together. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most helpful, then adapt methods as progress is made. This collaborative process means the plan can change if different tools would be more useful.

Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face connection when that matters. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a workplace break. Live chat and text messaging suit brief check-ins, ongoing reflection between sessions or people who prefer writing to speaking. These options make therapy more accessible for different schedules and needs.