Debbie Cooley, BACP

Debbie Cooley uses a person-centred, attachment-aware approach to help people facing addiction, trauma and grief. She is a BACP counsellor with five years of practice in the United Kingdom. Debbie aims to create an approachable space where people can talk about hard experiences without feeling judged. Her work focuses on addictive behaviours and the fallout of abuse and loss. She helps people affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, and narcissistic patterns, and she supports those coping with drug and alcohol problems. Grief work, including end-of-life and hospice issues, is also a central part of her practice. Debbie blends client-centred ways of working with cognitive behavioural techniques and mindfulness. She uses attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current reactions. Motivational interviewing is used when someone needs help finding reasons to change and practical next steps. Sessions can include reflective talking, practical exercises and creative techniques. She aims for a collaborative pace so people feel involved in choosing what happens next. The focus is on small, manageable changes rather than overwhelming strategies. Debbie works in English and accepts international clients for online sessions. She is experienced supporting people through panic, post-traumatic stress, self-harm thoughts, guilt and shame, and identity questions. Her approach is straightforward and compassionate, so people can feel heard and begin to rebuild a steadier life.

How her approaches work online

Debbie often uses client-centred work and attachment-based ideas to guide sessions. Client-centred therapy focuses on listening without judgement, helping people name feelings and make choices that feel right for them. Attachment-based therapy looks at how early relationship experiences influence current behaviour and helps people understand patterns in close relationships.

She also draws on cognitive behavioural techniques to address unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, offering simple exercises to try between sessions. These approaches are practical and aimed at small, steady changes in how someone thinks, feels and acts.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. The therapist will talk through options and adapt methods to match a person's goals and preferences. This is done together, so the plan can change as progress is made.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to give flexibility. Video works well for in-depth conversation and visual cues, phone calls suit those with lower bandwidth, and chat or text can be useful for brief check-ins or when someone prefers writing. These formats make it easier to fit therapy around work, childcare or travel and to keep momentum between appointments.