Simon Barkley, BACP

Simon Barkley helps people manage stress, anxiety, addictions, anger and grief. He also supports those facing relationship strain, sleep problems, career doubts and major life changes. Simon works with people who are coping with trauma, low self‑esteem, compassion fatigue and a range of eating or substance issues.

He uses straightforward, conversational therapy. Sessions focus on what the client wants to change and on practical steps that can be tried between meetings. Simon treats the person as the expert in their life while offering structure, challenge and steady support.

Simon trained with a Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Counselling and holds a Master of Science in Psychology. He has eight years of professional experience helping people work through addiction, bereavement, anger and trauma, and to build motivation and self‑esteem.

His approach draws on Client‑Centred ideas, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Existential Therapy and Motivational Interviewing, plus relationship work informed by the Gottman Method. These methods are used together to suit each person’s needs rather than following a single template.

Sessions are practical and goal oriented while leaving space to reflect on deeper meaning and values. Simon aims to identify strengths, spot unhelpful patterns and offer clear tools to make day‑to‑day life easier. He accepts clients across the United Kingdom and works in English.

How Simon’s methods translate to online therapy

Client‑Centred Therapy focuses on listening and building a trusting, respectful relationship. Online sessions give space for clients to tell their story while the counsellor reflects and helps identify strengths and goals. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses practical exercises and experiments to change patterns that cause distress. CBT online can include homework tasks and short between‑session check‑ins to track progress.

Choosing an approach is a joint process. Simon works collaboratively to find which methods suit a person’s needs, goals and preferences. He will explain options, try methods in session and adjust the plan as progress is made so the work stays relevant and manageable.

Online formats offer practical benefits. Video calls allow face‑to‑face conversation when that helps. Phone sessions work well for people with limited bandwidth or who prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and text‑based messaging are useful for brief check‑ins, managing anxiety between sessions or when scheduling needs to fit around work or family commitments. These options make it easier to maintain continuity and adapt therapy to everyday life.