Emma Devai, BACP

Emma Devai is a counsellor who aims to build honest, human connection from the start. She presents herself as calm, friendly and approachable, and she sees therapy as a partnership rather than a hierarchy. Emma seeks to create a respectful space where people feel seen, heard and valued.

She describes her practice as relational and trauma-informed. Emma draws on techniques from different approaches so the work fits each person’s needs. She may share her emotional responses when it helps the relationship, and sometimes uses humour to ease tense moments.

Emma holds a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice and Crime Control, which gives her insight into how systems like education, social care and the justice system shape people’s lives. That background helps her make sense of experiences that feel confusing or unfair and to support rebuilding confidence and identity.

Her focus is strengths-based and restorative, helping people reconnect with values and hopes while working through problems. She uses practical conversations to look at patterns, beliefs and relationships so clients can make clearer choices about their next steps.

Emma works with a broad range of concerns, including stress, anxiety, addiction, relationship and family challenges, trauma, grief, self-esteem and life changes. Sessions aim to be down-to-earth and paced to what each person needs, with space to explore both past and present experiences.

Emma is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, practises in the United Kingdom, and offers sessions in English. Information about formats and how to begin is available through the site.

Therapeutic approaches for online counselling

Emma often combines client-centred work with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) to meet practical needs. Client-Centred Therapy focuses on building a genuine, non-judgemental relationship where the person’s experience guides the pace of the work. This approach helps when someone needs a compassionate space to make sense of feelings and values. CBT looks at thoughts and behaviours and uses practical exercises to reduce symptoms like anxiety or low mood and to change unhelpful patterns.

Emma also uses Motivational Interviewing when change feels difficult or people are unsure what they want. This method uses curious, non-confrontational conversation to help clarify goals and strengthen motivation. Together these approaches allow sessions to blend reflective listening with concrete tools, and the therapist will collaborate with each person to find the best mix based on their needs and preferences.

Online formats such as video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging make it easier to fit counselling into everyday life. Video lets people use visual cues for a fuller conversation, phone calls can be a good option when bandwidth is limited, and messaging or live chat suit shorter check-ins or when writing feels easier than talking. These options offer flexibility and practical ways to maintain continuity of support alongside work, family or other commitments.