Richard Gordon-Smith, NCPS

Approaches and online therapy options

Emotionally-Focused Therapy is used to help people identify and express core feelings that affect how they relate to others and to themselves; it can be useful when patterns of disconnection or intense emotion make life harder. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape expectations and responses in close relationships and can help with feelings of abandonment, attachment worries and repeated relationship patterns. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening closely, offering empathy and creating a space where people can explore their thoughts and choices without judgment.

Finding the right blend of approaches is treated as a collaborative process. The therapist will discuss goals and preferences, try methods that fit the person's needs and adapt the approach if something is not helping. The work can include short-term problem solving, practical coping ideas or longer-term emotional exploration depending on what is helpful.

Online therapy offers several practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation without travel. Phone sessions are a good option when bandwidth is limited or when a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging suit shorter check-ins, note-taking or people who prefer to write rather than speak. Using these formats makes it easier to fit therapy around work, family and travel commitments while keeping the focus on progress and continuity of care.