Deshika Godawattage, BACP

Deshika Godawattage meets people where they are and helps them take the next step. She focuses on practical support for stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem and life changes. She uses straightforward conversation to help clients feel heard and to build small, manageable plans for change.

Deshika sees each person as the expert on their own life and looks for the strengths they already have. She offers warm, non-judgemental support while listening for what matters most to the individual. Sessions aim to clarify feelings, identify unhelpful patterns and try simple steps that can make daily life easier.

Her approach draws on client-centred therapy, which puts the person at the centre of the work and values their perspective. This helps when people are coping with loss, relationship difficulties, workplace stress or changes like pregnancy and childbirth. It can also support those facing anxiety, panic, phobias or challenges linked to neurodiversity.

Deshika has four years of professional experience and holds BACP accreditation. She works in English and Sinhala and accepts international clients who want to meet remotely. Practical matters such as session format and scheduling are discussed together so arrangements fit the client’s routine.

People who want straightforward, respectful support often choose to start by talking through one or two pressing issues. From there, Deshika helps set simple goals and reviews progress as things change.

How client-centred work translates to online therapy

Client-centred therapy focuses on the person’s lived experience. The counsellor listens closely, reflects what is said and follows the client’s priorities. This approach helps people who are dealing with grief, relationship stress, low self-esteem or anxiety by making sessions about what matters most to them rather than imposing a set method.

Deshika’s practice uses the same person-focused principles online. She and the client collaborate to decide what to address and which steps to try next. Finding the right way of working is part of the process, and she will adapt session pace, goals and techniques to match the client’s needs and preferences.

Online sessions can be scheduled as video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging. Video is useful when visual cues help the conversation, phone calls work well if bandwidth is limited, live chat suits shorter check-ins and messaging allows more flexible, ongoing contact. These options help people fit therapy around work, study or family commitments while keeping a consistent therapeutic relationship.