Chris Orton, BACP

Chris Orton helps people who are feeling overwhelmed, stuck or uncertain about life. He meets adults who are dealing with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem, depression, grief and relationship concerns. Chris works in a straightforward, respectful way so people can talk about what matters most to them.

Chris uses a client-centred approach that focuses on each person as an individual. He listens closely and reflects what he hears so people can better understand their feelings, thoughts and repeated patterns. This plain, conversational style aims to make self-understanding easier to reach.

He also draws on existential ideas to help people think about meaning, choice and responsibility in their lives. That can be useful when coping with major life changes, questions of identity, career crossroads or feelings of emptiness. The aim is practical - to help people make decisions that fit their values and needs.

Chris is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. He trained at postgraduate level in counselling and psychotherapy and previously worked in a university counselling service. That experience included supporting a wide range of concerns from trauma and abuse to compassion fatigue and body image.

Sessions can cover a wide variety of topics such as communication problems, commitment issues, parenting pressures, gender dysphoria, ADHD-related struggles and coping after disasters. He accepts international clients and works in English, offering video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text messaging.

To begin, people complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule sessions that suit their timetable. Chris aims to be a steady, compassionate companion while clients set the pace and depth of their work together.

How Chris's approaches work online

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on being heard and understood. The therapist listens without judgement, reflects what they hear and helps clients make sense of their feelings. This approach is helpful for worry, low mood, relationship strain and building self-esteem.

Existential Therapy looks at meaning, choice and responsibility. It helps people facing big decisions, life changes, questions about identity or feelings of emptiness. The work encourages honest reflection about values and action that fits personal priorities.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Chris will work collaboratively to identify which ideas suit a person's needs and goals, and adapt how sessions unfold as the work progresses. Clients help set the pace and focus so the methods used fit their preferences.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging to make therapy more flexible. Video calls allow a face-to-face conversation, phone sessions can be shorter check-ins or work around bandwidth limits, and messaging suits people who prefer to write or need quick ongoing touchpoints. These options help people fit therapy around work, family or travel commitments and make it easier to keep continuity between appointments.