Elsa Da Cruz, BACP

Elsa Da Cruz helps people facing stress, anxiety, relationship strain, low self-esteem and depression. She also supports those dealing with grief, anger, identity questions related to LGBT issues, ADHD and life transitions. Elsa is based in the United Kingdom and speaks English, Spanish and Portuguese. She uses a person-focused style that centres on what each person needs. Conversations are warm and non-judgemental. Elsa listens for patterns tied to attachment, abandonment and family of origin problems and helps people find clearer ways forward. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, is part of her practice. She uses it to help people notice and change unhelpful thoughts and habits. Mindfulness techniques are offered to reduce overwhelm and bring attention back to the present. Emotionally-Focused Therapy methods are used for exploring difficult feelings and improving emotional connection in relationships. Solution-Focused Therapy helps set small, practical goals and build steps people can try between sessions. These approaches are blended to match each person’s aims. Elsa holds BACP, which indicates professional registration with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has eight years of practical experience working with a broad range of concerns, including blended family issues, body image, codependency, parenting and first responder stress. People come for short-term coaching or longer therapeutic work depending on what they want to change.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding. Online sessions give space for this kind of steady, empathetic conversation where the counsellor follows the person’s lead and helps them feel heard. This approach suits people who need time to clarify what matters to them.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, works with thoughts and behaviours. In online work CBT can include tools like activity plans, thought records and short exercises to practise between sessions, which are easy to share and discuss over video or messaging. It is helpful for anxiety, low mood and repetitive unhelpful thinking.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Elsa will work together with each person to choose or blend methods based on their needs, goals and preferences. That collaboration helps set realistic steps and checks progress as therapy continues.

Online formats offer flexibility and practical benefits. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and screen-sharing of worksheets. Phone sessions can be a good choice if bandwidth is limited or a quieter check-in is needed. Live chat and text-based messaging suit shorter, more frequent check-ins and ongoing coaching between longer sessions. Registered or accredited professionals provide these options so people can fit counselling into their daily life.