Randa Barnes, BACP

Randa Barnes uses a person-centred approach that puts the client at the centre of sessions. She combines practical tools with reflective work so people can manage feelings and make clearer choices. Randa speaks English and Arabic and works with adults from diverse backgrounds.

She has 13 years of experience supporting people with stress and anxiety, depression, relationship and family concerns, and problems linked to addiction and trauma. She also helps with eating and sleeping difficulties, anger, low self-esteem, bipolar mood management and the challenges that come with life changes. Coaching and ADHD are also within her focus areas.

Randa draws on attachment-based ideas to look at how early relationships shape current patterns. She uses cognitive behavioural techniques to identify unhelpful thoughts and try small, practical changes. Mindfulness is woven into sessions to help with emotion regulation and grounding.

Sessions are tailored to what each person needs. Randa aims for a warm, non-judgemental space where people can talk frankly and try out new ways of coping. She pays attention to cultural background and life context when planning goals and tools.

Her additional focus areas include abandonment and attachment issues, body image and eating-related difficulties, family of origin concerns, caregiver stress, communication and control problems, guilt and shame, gender dysphoria, hoarding, and issues around forgiveness. This variety means she draws on several approaches to find what helps.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online support

Attachment-based work focuses on relationships and early patterns. Online sessions can be used to look at how attachment shapes current trust and connection, helping people notice repeated patterns and try small changes in how they relate to others.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, helps identify unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and replace them with more helpful alternatives. In online sessions this often involves short exercises, thought records and practical homework to test new ways of thinking and acting.

Mindfulness therapy teaches simple exercises for staying present and calming strong emotions. These practices are practised in session and recommended for short daily use to reduce reactivity and improve focus.

Finding the right approach is a shared process. The therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most useful, then try methods together and adjust as needed. That collaborative planning helps make sure therapy fits the person rather than forcing a single method.

Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation and visual cues. Phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited or for shorter check-ins. Live chat and text-based messaging suit people who prefer writing, want brief check-ins during the week, or find messages easier than speaking. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family or travel.