Moira McCarthy, BACP, NCPS

Moira McCarthy is a counsellor with 18 years of experience supporting adults through stressful and painful life moments. She holds BACP and NCPS credentials and works one-to-one and in groups to help people get clearer about what they need and how to move forward.

Her approach is practical and straightforward. She listens without judgement, helps people spot patterns that cause pain, and works with them to try new ways of responding. Sessions aim to be calm and focused so people can make steady changes.

Moira uses a mix of methods that fit the person rather than a single technique. She draws on cognitive behavioural ideas to challenge unhelpful thoughts and on client-centred work to prioritise each person’s own goals. Attachment-based ideas inform her work around relationships and early life influences.

She has led wellbeing workshops for local authorities and businesses as well as running therapy groups. Regular professional supervision helps her keep her practice aligned with BACP standards and ethical guidance.

People come to Moira for help with stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, depression, addictions, self-esteem and relationship difficulties. She also supports those dealing with parenting strain, sleep problems, career transitions, chronic illness, and issues around adoption or attachment.

Sessions are offered in English and she accepts international clients. The first step is a short matching questionnaire and a planned appointment time that fits the client’s schedule.

Approaches that shape online sessions

Moira favours approaches that help people clarify values, understand relationships and change unhelpful thoughts. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on noticing thoughts and choosing actions that match what matters most. It can help with anxiety, low mood and coping with life changes. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) looks at the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviour and uses practical exercises to reduce distress and improve daily functioning. Attachment-Based Therapy pays attention to how early relationships influence current connection patterns and can be useful for people worried about intimacy, trust or recurring relationship difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Moira will talk with each person about their goals, preferences and what has or hasn’t worked before. Together they decide which methods to try and adjust the plan as progress is made, keeping the process collaborative and flexible.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for people with busy lives or limited mobility. Video calls let people see one another and use visual cues, phone sessions fit a short break from work, live chat can suit someone who prefers typing, and messaging supports ongoing check-ins between sessions. These options make it easier to attend regularly and to try different formats until a comfortable routine is found.