Erica Ruse Whalley, BACP

Erica Ruse Whalley offers calm, straightforward support for people facing stress, anxiety, grief and relationship strain. She writes in plain terms and aims to make therapy approachable. Erica places each person at the centre of the work and helps them choose how they want to proceed.

Erica has 14 years of experience working with issues such as depression, parenting strain, trauma and family difficulties. She also supports people dealing with sleeping problems, anger, low self-esteem, career questions and major life changes. Her practice includes work around abandonment, adoption and foster care themes, attachment difficulties and codependency.

Her approach is integrative and tailored to the individual. Erica uses client-centred methods alongside cognitive behavioural tools and psychodynamic ideas. She also draws on attachment-based thinking and mindfulness practices to suit the person in front of her.

In sessions she aims to create a warm, supportive environment where people can talk through what matters most. She can use short-term, solution-focused techniques when someone wants quick practical steps. When people want to look deeper she offers reflective work that examines patterns and early relationships.

Erica practises in the United Kingdom and holds the BACP credential, which is listed as her professional association. She works in English and offers a range of online formats to fit different needs. If someone prefers to discuss how she can help, she welcomes an initial conversation to explain the options and next steps.

Approaches that suit online counselling

Erica often combines client-centred work with cognitive behavioural techniques. Client-centred therapy focuses on listening closely and following the person’s lead, which helps when someone needs a calm space to talk. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) looks at thoughts and behaviours and offers practical strategies for anxiety, low mood and sleep problems.

She also uses attachment-based ideas to understand how early relationships shape current patterns. This can be helpful for intimacy issues, codependency and recurring relationship problems. Deciding which approach to use is collaborative - the therapist will work with the person to match methods to goals and preferences, and change course if something does not feel helpful.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat or text messaging to give flexibility. Video is useful for face-to-face conversation, phone can be easier when bandwidth is limited, and messaging suits brief check-ins or people who prefer typing. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family and other commitments while keeping the focus on practical progress and personal understanding.