Stephen Padfield, NCPS

Stephen Padfield helps people manage stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD and relationship or intimacy-related worries. He also supports those facing grief, addiction, issues around gender and sexuality, and complex concerns such as trauma, anger and self-esteem. Stephen’s approach aims to make talking about hard things feel straightforward and manageable.

He works in a way that adapts to each person. Sessions focus on what matters now and on practical steps people can try between meetings. Techniques include mindfulness exercises, thinking-work to spot unhelpful patterns, and skills for managing intense emotions.

Stephen trained in a range of therapeutic methods and completed a Master’s degree in Psychotherapy. He holds the credential NCPS and brings five years of professional experience to his practice. He has worked with adults around bereavement, spirituality, sexuality and gender concerns as well as depression, trauma and anxiety.

In sessions he aims to be non-judgemental and supportive. Conversations are used to clarify what’s causing distress and to build small, realistic strategies for coping. He favours practical tools that people can use in day-to-day life alongside deeper work about meaning and values.

Stephen offers therapy by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging. Sessions are conducted in English and based in the United Kingdom. People who live outside the UK are not accepted for work at this time.

Approaches that suit online therapy and day-to-day life

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding the person’s experience. The counsellor offers a supportive space where people lead the conversation and identify what they want to change or explore. This approach helps with low self-esteem, grief and questions about identity or meaning.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions. It teaches practical exercises to change unhelpful thinking and behaviours, which can reduce anxiety, depression and some addictive patterns. Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, adds skills for managing intense emotions and improving emotional regulation, useful for anger and mood instability.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The therapist will discuss goals, try different techniques and adjust the focus according to progress. That collaborative process helps match methods to the person’s needs and preferences rather than using a single fixed method.

Online therapy is offered by video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging to fit different routines. Video works well for in-depth conversations, phone is good when bandwidth is limited, and messaging suits short check-ins or people who prefer not to use video. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, family or mobility constraints while keeping the focus on practical skills and emotional support.