Helen Willoughby, BACP, NCPS

Helen Willoughby trained as a nurse and has practised as a therapist since 2003. She combines that clinical background with 22 years of counselling experience to support people facing a wide range of concerns. Her approach is calm and patient, aimed at helping people feel understood and able to take small steps forward.

Helen works with issues such as stress, anxiety, depression and bipolar difficulties. She also supports people dealing with trauma and abuse, addictions, eating concerns, grief and intimacy-related problems. Relationship and family worries, parenting strain and career stress are within her usual remit.

Her ways of working draw on Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Jungian ideas, Mindfulness Therapy and Motivational Interviewing. Helen adapts these methods to each person’s needs, answering any initial questions and explaining what to expect. Sessions focus on practical changes and on making space to reflect.

People who prefer a gentle but direct style may find the pace helpful. She invites honest conversation and treats each person as an individual. Helen emphasises kindness and steady progress rather than quick fixes.

Before starting, she will listen to what matters most to the client and agree goals together. That collaborative planning shapes the next steps and the types of techniques used. The emphasis is on making therapy useful day to day.

How Helen’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening without judgement and helping people feel heard. It’s useful for building trust, exploring identity and working through grief or relationship worries.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at how thoughts, feelings and actions link together. It offers clear techniques for anxiety, depression, sleeping problems and coping with life changes that can be practised between sessions.

Mindfulness Therapy helps people notice thoughts and sensations without rushing to change them. It can reduce stress and support emotional regulation during difficult moments.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. Helen will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most helpful, and then try methods that fit the person. That decision is collaborative and can change as progress is made.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so confirm current options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed. Many people find it helps maintain continuity of care when life is otherwise busy, and therapists can suggest practical exercises to use between sessions.