Helen Willoughby

Helen Willoughby has been working as a therapist since 2003, following many years of practice as a nurse. She combines that long clinical background with a private practice approach that aims to make talking about hard things easier. Helen takes time to answer questions at the start and treats each person as an individual.

She works with a wide range of concerns such as stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship and family issues, grief, sexual and gender matters, and anger. She also supports people facing long-term conditions, parenting strain, eating difficulties, low self esteem, and career pressures. Bipolar, depression and ADHD are also within her scope of interest.

Helen uses several counselling approaches, including Client-Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Jungian ideas, along with Mindfulness and Motivational Interviewing where useful. In sessions she aims to be kind and compassionate, adapting methods to suit each person rather than sticking to a single formula.

Counselling can feel hard at first, and Helen says it takes courage to begin. She focuses on creating a calm space to breathe and think so people can take practical steps forward. Her nursing background informs a grounded, attentive style.

People who value a gentle but practical way of talking through problems may find her approach helpful. Helen welcomes questions and aims to support people as they decide the next steps in their lives.

How Helen’s approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and responding to each person without judgement. It helps when someone needs space to talk through difficult feelings and decide what matters to them. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, uses practical steps to spot and change unhelpful thoughts and routines, which can help with anxiety, low mood and anger.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Helen will talk with each person about their goals and preferences and suggest methods that suit those aims. This is a collaborative process and approaches can be adapted as progress is made.

Practical benefits of online therapy can include fitting sessions around work or family life and avoiding travel time. If you are considering online work, confirm the session options available before booking so you know how appointments will be arranged. Registered or accredited professionals, including therapists, often use online sessions to make it easier to keep up with regular appointments and to match therapy with everyday routines.