Emma Devai

Emma Devai is a BACP counsellor who builds therapy around honesty and human connection. She presents herself as calm, friendly, and approachable, and aims to create a respectful partnership where people feel seen and heard.

She works relationally and draws on a mix of approaches to suit each person. That means sessions focus on what matters to the individual, using techniques chosen for their situation rather than a fixed method. Emma sometimes shares her own emotional responses in session when it helps the work and may use humour alongside serious conversation.

Her background includes a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice & Crime Control, which gives her insight into the systems that shape people’s lives, such as education, social care and the criminal justice system. That perspective can help when making sense of life events and navigating practical challenges.

Emma describes her practice as trauma-informed and strengths-based, with an emphasis on restoring confidence and supporting positive change. She helps people reconnect with their values and hopes, and to make sense of patterns in relationships, emotions and behaviour.

She has four years of experience and offers support for a range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, addictions, relationship and family issues, anger, grief and self-esteem. The tone of her work is collaborative and down-to-earth, and she adapts her approach to the needs and pace of each person.

For those worried about starting therapy, she aims to make the first steps simple and welcoming, working at a person’s pace and focusing on small, practical moves toward clearer thinking and better coping.

How Emma’s approaches work in online therapy

Emma uses client-centred work, cognitive behavioural ideas and motivational interviewing in her practice. Client-centred therapy focuses on listening and reflecting so people feel understood and can find their own answers. Cognitive behavioural therapy looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and is often useful for anxiety, low mood and coping strategies. Motivational interviewing supports change by exploring ambivalence and helping people clarify what they want to do differently.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. Emma works collaboratively to find what fits each person’s goals and preferences, and will adapt methods over time based on what helps most. The early sessions are used to agree on aims and the practical steps to reach them.

If you are considering online work, please confirm which session formats are currently offered before booking. Online options can make it easier to fit therapy around daily life, for example by reducing travel time, allowing shorter check-ins during busy days, or avoiding the need to be on camera when that feels difficult. Many people find that remote sessions let them maintain continuity of support while juggling commitments.