Anne-Marie Bates , BACP

Anne-Marie Bates is an accredited member of the BACP, the professional body for counselling and psychotherapy in the United Kingdom, with 12 years of professional counselling experience. She has supported both students and staff at a college of higher education and has worked in private practice with people from a range of backgrounds, ages, and genders.

She approaches each person with respect, sensitivity, and compassion, creating a non-judgmental space where clients can explore difficulties at their own pace. Her experience includes helping people manage stress and anxiety, navigate relationship and family issues, and work through episodes of depression. She also supports clients dealing with self-esteem concerns, body image, communication problems, control issues, feelings of emptiness, and questions about life purpose and midlife transitions.

Anne-Marie tailors conversations and treatment plans to the individual needs of each client, adapting her approach to reflect personal goals and circumstances. She emphasizes practical collaboration and gentle encouragement, supporting people to take the often difficult first steps toward greater wellbeing. Her work aims to empower clients to build more fulfilling, balanced lives.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Sessions

Anne-Marie Bates draws on client-centered therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and solution-focused therapy in her online work. Client-centered therapy prioritizes empathy and unconditional positive regard, giving people space to explore feelings and strengthen self-awareness - it can be helpful for issues like low self-esteem, identity concerns, and relationship difficulties.

CBT is a structured approach that helps identify and shift unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours, often used for stress, anxiety, and depression. Solution-focused therapy concentrates on practical steps and strengths, helping clients set goals and build small, achievable changes that move them toward what they want.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Anne-Marie works with each person to understand their needs, goals, and preferences, and together they decide which methods or combination of methods will best support progress.

Online sessions are offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to increase flexibility and accessibility. These options make it easier to schedule appointments around work, family, and other commitments, and allow clients to receive support from their own environment while working with a licensed professional.