Penelope “Penny” Williamson, BACP

Penelope “Penny” Williamson is a counsellor registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She draws on three years of practice and a humanistic, person-centred background to offer calm, non-judgemental support.

Penny keeps sessions flexible to meet what each person needs. She combines talking, practical goal work and creative tools. She can share reading suggestions, podcasts and worksheets when they help progress between sessions.

Her work covers a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, depression, addiction and trauma. She also supports people dealing with relationship difficulties, parenting strain, workplace problems and questions about identity and intimacy.

Penny uses a mix of approaches so conversations can be straightforward or deeper, depending on the moment. That mix includes cognitive behavioural ideas, acceptance and commitment ideas, attachment-focused perspectives and existential thinking. She also draws on the person-centred stance to keep the client in the lead.

In sessions she aims to be warm, relaxed and open, with room for the occasional dose of humour. She can help untangle immediate problems and also work on longer-term goals like self-esteem, confidence and life direction.

Penny previously worked within an NHS setting and has experience with people from diverse backgrounds and identities. She describes therapy as a collaborative process and helps people build self-awareness and greater acceptance.

How therapeutic approaches shape online sessions

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice difficult thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and then commit to actions that match their values. It can be useful for anxiety, low mood and life changes. Attachment-Based Therapy focuses on patterns of relating that start in early life and affect current relationships, helping people understand and change how they connect with others. Client-Centred Therapy puts the person at the heart of the work, with the counsellor offering empathic listening and space so the client can find their own solutions.

Deciding which approach to use is part of the work. Penny will discuss options with each person and adapt sessions to their goals and preferences. That collaborative process aims to balance practical steps with deeper exploration, so the client and counsellor shape a plan together.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to meet. Video calls let non-verbal cues be present for deeper conversations. Phone sessions use less bandwidth and can be easier to fit into a busy day. Live chat and text messaging work well for brief check-ins, written reflection or when someone prefers not to be on camera. These options make it simpler to keep continuity of care and to work around work, family and travel commitments.