Jonathan Feld, BACP

How therapeutic approaches work online

Emotionally-Focused Therapy looks at feelings and the patterns that form around them. It helps people understand why certain emotions trigger distress and how to respond to those feelings differently. This approach can be useful for anxiety, grief and problems with intimacy because it focuses on emotional experience.

Client-Centred Therapy places the person’s own perspective at the centre of sessions. The counsellor listens without judging and follows the client’s lead to build self-understanding and confidence. This is helpful when someone wants a supportive space to talk through life stress and make decisions.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, targets unhelpful thoughts and routines. It offers practical tasks and small experiments people can try between meetings to reduce anxiety or low mood. This method is often used for stress, intrusive thoughts and behaviour change.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and past experience, then choose or blend methods with the client. That collaborative process helps ensure sessions match what matters most to the individual.

Online formats make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life. Video calls recreate a face-to-face conversation, while phone sessions need less bandwidth and can be easier on days when being on camera is difficult. Live chat and text messaging suit people who prefer brief check-ins or written reflection. These options provide flexibility and continuity for ongoing progress.