Peter McDermott

Peter McDermott is a counsellor who brings a practical, down-to-earth approach to therapy. He uses clear methods to help people manage strong feelings such as anger, anxiety and stress. Peter aims to make sessions a calm place to talk, reflect and try new ways of coping.

With nine years of experience he adapts the work to each person’s needs. He draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centred approaches to offer straightforward, hands-on help. Sessions often focus on identifying patterns, building helpful habits and practising small changes between meetings.

Peter supports people facing life transitions, workplace strain, relationship tensions and loss. He also helps with concerns about self-esteem, body image, guilt and forgiveness. Practical coaching-style tools are offered alongside therapeutic conversations when that suits someone’s goals.

People can expect a respectful and non-judgemental tone in sessions. Peter explains ideas simply and checks in about what is working. The emphasis is on useful steps rather than jargon.

To begin, prospective clients complete a short matching questionnaire and choose a time that fits their schedule. This helps make the first session focused on immediate concerns and what the person hopes to change.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting swept up by them, and then commit to actions that reflect chosen values. It can be useful for stress, anger and problems with motivation. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on finding links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and teaching practical strategies to shift unhelpful patterns. It often suits anxiety, low mood and workplace stress. Client-Centred Therapy places the person’s experience at the heart of the work, with the counsellor offering empathic listening and encouragement while the client finds their own solutions.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Peter will talk through the different ways of working and help decide what fits your goals and preferences. That decision can change as therapy progresses, and he adapts methods to what is most helpful in practice.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by reducing travel time or allowing meetings around work hours. It can also let people choose quieter surroundings or shorter check-ins when needed. Confirm the exact session options before booking, since formats are not detailed in the profile, and the therapist will note practicalities when scheduling.