Shirley Patterson, BACP

Shirley Patterson is a counsellor who helps people deal with grief, low self-esteem, career worries and depression. She offers a calm space for someone who needs to talk things through and find ways to cope. Shirley uses a respectful, listening approach and keeps the person at the centre of sessions.

Shirley works in a client-centred way. That means sessions are led by the person seeking help rather than the counsellor directing the conversation. She will reflect what she hears and check understanding so a person can make sense of their feelings and consider next steps.

Her practice is aimed at people facing life changes, the strain of repeated crises, or the slow erosion of confidence and motivation. Conversations focus on what matters most to the individual and on finding manageable ways to move forward. Shirley encourages people to notice their strengths and to try out different coping ideas between sessions.

Shirley has six years of experience in counselling work and is registered with BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. That registration appears on her profile as BACP.

She offers one-to-one sessions where the person sets the pace and topics. If someone is ready to make a change, Shirley offers steady listening and practical support to help them take the next steps.

Client-centred care and online counselling

Client-centred Therapy places the person's experience at the heart of the work. The counsellor listens, reflects feelings and follows the topics the person brings. This approach helps when someone needs to understand their grief, feel heard about relationship or career worries, or build confidence in small steps.

Working out which approach suits best is part of the process. Shirley will work collaboratively to decide what feels helpful and to adjust the way she works as needs and goals change. The focus is on the person's priorities and on practical ways to test new coping ideas between sessions.

Online sessions are offered by video calls, phone, live chat and text-based messaging. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when a fuller exchange is useful. Phone sessions can be simpler when movement or lower bandwidth is needed. Live chat and messaging can suit shorter check-ins or people who prefer typed conversation. These options make it easier to fit counselling around work, family routines and other commitments.