Helana Pennell, BACP

Helana Pennell is a counsellor with three years' experience who helps people manage stress, anxiety and relationship worries. She works with those facing family tensions, low self-esteem and major life changes. Helana aims to make the first step less daunting and to support people as they look for practical ways forward.

Her style is warm and person-focused. She treats each person as the expert in their own life. Sessions centre on listening closely and reflecting what matters most to the client. This gives space to notice strengths and to build on them.

Helana draws on client-centred therapy to help people feel heard. Conversations focus on what the person wants to change and how they would like their life to feel. The work often covers communication problems, caregiver stress and feelings such as guilt or shame.

She also helps people address isolation and to reconnect with self-worth and self-love. Forgiveness, letting go, and managing day-to-day coping are common themes. Practical ideas and small steps are used to make progress between sessions.

Sessions are offered in English and take place online. Helana works from the United Kingdom and follows the standards of the BACP. Her approach is collaborative and paced to each person’s needs.

How client-centred therapy works online

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening, empathy and following the person's own priorities. The counsellor offers a non-judgemental space and reflects what matters most so the person can make their own decisions. This approach helps with anxiety, self-esteem, relationship concerns and life transitions.

Sessions are collaborative. The therapist will work with the client to decide whether the client-centred approach is the best fit, and adapt methods to suit the person's goals and preferences. Figuring out the right approach happens together over the first few meetings and can change as needs evolve.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video is useful for a fuller conversational experience, while phone calls need less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a busy day. Live chat or text messaging can support shorter check-ins and ongoing reflection between longer sessions. These options make therapy more flexible and easier to arrange around work and family commitments.