Catherine Johnston, BACP

Catherine Johnston works from a person-centred approach that puts the client at the heart of the work. She emphasises practical steps and clear conversation to help people cope with stress, anxiety, depression and issues with motivation and self-esteem. Catherine writes simply and invites clients to take small steps forward rather than large, sudden changes.

She draws on five years of experience working in the United Kingdom and holds BACP accreditation. Catherine believes people know their own lives best and builds on existing strengths to tackle difficult problems. She aims to make the first sessions straightforward and non-intimidating.

In sessions she uses Client-Centred Therapy to listen closely to each person and to help them feel understood. She also uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to spot unhelpful thinking habits and try new ways of responding. Existential Therapy helps when people are wrestling with meaning, life choices or a sense of isolation.

Catherine has worked with a wide range of difficulties including trauma and abuse, addictions, grief and family problems. She also has experience supporting those facing social anxiety, pregnancy and childbirth challenges, and neurodiversity such as autism and Asperger syndrome.

Her style is straightforward and encouraging. She will help set small, practical goals and review progress with you. To begin, she asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions according to availability.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person first, which helps build trust and make room for practical problem solving. This approach is useful for anxiety, low mood and issues with self-esteem because it centres the person's own goals and pace.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at patterns of thinking and behaviour and tries straightforward experiments to shift them. CBT can be helpful for stress, panic, social anxiety, addiction-related habits and depression by offering clear exercises and short-term goals.

Existential Therapy helps people who are wrestling with meaning, life choices or feelings of isolation. It encourages honest conversation about values and direction rather than quick fixes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will collaborate with each person to choose or combine methods based on their needs, goals and preferences. Sessions start with an open conversation to decide what will help most and to set simple, achievable steps.

If you are considering online therapy, check the session options before booking to confirm current formats. Online work can make sessions easier to fit into a busy week, reduce travel, allow shorter check-ins when needed and let people attend from quieter surroundings. These practical benefits often help therapy fit into everyday life without changing the quality of the work.