Kate Hough, NCPS

How therapeutic approaches work online

Existential therapy looks at questions of meaning, choice and identity. It helps people who feel stuck, overwhelmed by big life changes, or uncertain about the future to clarify what matters and make value-based decisions.

Client‑centred therapy focuses on listening and empathic understanding. The therapist follows the person’s pace, reflecting their experience and helping them feel heard while they make sense of difficult feelings.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, teaches practical skills to change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and reduce symptoms like anxiety, low mood or sleep problems. It often includes short exercises or behaviour experiments between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will talk through options and tailor methods to the client’s goals, preferences and what feels most useful. That collaboration helps decide whether to emphasise meaning, supportive listening or skills practice.

Online sessions using video calls, phone, live chat or text messaging give flexibility. Video is useful for deeper conversation and non‑verbal cues, phone can be simpler when bandwidth is low, chat or messaging is helpful for brief check‑ins or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caring duties and daily life.