Carol Shields, BACP

Carol Shields helps people dealing with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and life changes. She supports people coping with relationship and family concerns, addictions, trauma, grief and career challenges. Carol also works with mood difficulties such as depression and bipolar symptoms, and with attention concerns like ADHD. She accepts international clients and conducts sessions in English.

Carol uses a straightforward and respectful approach. Sessions focus on what matters most to the individual. She listens first, then helps set practical steps that feel manageable. The aim is to build skills people can use between sessions.

Her methods draw on cognitive behavioural techniques to challenge unhelpful thoughts. She also uses acceptance and commitment ideas to help people clarify values and take action. Client-centred listening and mindfulness practices are part of the mix when they suit a person’s needs.

With ten years of experience and BACP registration, Carol brings a steady, calm presence to sessions. She offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text messaging so therapy can fit a busy life. Costs vary with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

People who start work with Carol begin by completing a short matching questionnaire. From there they arrange sessions at times that suit them and agree on goals together. The first step is simply choosing to begin and making a small plan for change.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Carol commonly uses cognitive behavioural therapy and acceptance and commitment therapy in online work. Cognitive behavioural therapy focuses on spotting and changing unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns to reduce stress and anxiety. Acceptance and commitment therapy helps people clarify what matters to them and take small, values-driven steps even when feelings are difficult.

Choosing the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will talk with each person about goals, preferences and what feels most helpful. Together they will try methods and adjust the plan as work progresses so the approach fits the person's needs.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video calls are useful for face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited, live chat supports shorter check-ins and text messaging lets people reflect between meetings. These options help fit therapy around work, family and travel commitments.