Matthew Higgins, BACP

Matthew Higgins focuses on helping people who feel overwhelmed by change, loss or relationship strain. He aims to create a calm space where someone can speak openly and be heard without judgment. Matthew uses straightforward language and listens closely, so people can make sense of difficult feelings and decide what to do next.

He trained in Leeds, West Yorkshire, and completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy in 2021. As part of that training he carried out 100 hours of client work in placements. He continues to work with a charitable counselling service in North Yorkshire and with a bereavement charity. He also volunteers with the Samaritans supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts.

Matthew draws on several approaches to tailor the work for each person. His starting point is a person-centred way of working that gives space for people to tell their story. He also uses attachment-based and emotionally focused ideas to look at how relationships shape feelings. Where helpful, he introduces psychodynamic thinking to explore patterns from the past that still affect daily life.

People often see him for anxiety, depression, grief and relationship concerns. He also supports those coping with stress, career changes, addictions, parenting pressures and sleep or eating difficulties. Matthew finds that people in later life sometimes seek help for losses, separation, loneliness or new family roles.

His approach is warm and unhurried. Sessions aim to help people understand their emotions, spot recurring patterns and find practical ways to cope. Matthew works in English and welcomes people from the United Kingdom and beyond.

How therapeutic approaches work online

Matthew commonly uses person-centred work and emotionally-focused ideas in online sessions. Person-centred therapy means the counsellor listens without judgement and follows what the person brings, which helps with anxiety, low mood and feeling stuck. Emotionally-Focused Therapy focuses on emotions in relationships and can help people understand and change recurring interaction patterns that cause pain.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Matthew will talk with a client about their goals, history and what feels most useful. Together they decide which methods to try and review progress as therapy continues, making adjustments when needed.

Online sessions come in several formats to fit different needs. Video calls let people see non-verbal cues and allow a fuller conversation. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a short break. Live chat or text-based messaging can be useful for brief check-ins, working through coping steps or when writing helps someone organise thoughts. These options offer flexibility so therapy can fit around work, family life and travel while keeping the focus on meaningful therapeutic change.