Hayley Matthews , BACP, NCPS

Hayley Matthews is a qualified therapeutic counsellor who supports people facing a broad range of mental health and life challenges. She has worked with clients experiencing depression, anxiety including social anxiety and generalised anxiety, post traumatic stress, relationship difficulties, loss and bereavement, loneliness and isolation, major life changes, family difficulties, workplace stress, addiction, and concerns with confidence and self-esteem.

Hayley believes that everyone experiences the world differently and that those individual experiences shape how people respond to difficult situations. She offers a person-centred approach that helps clients explore their life stories, make sense of current struggles, and identify realistic steps to improve wellbeing. Sessions can include reflective conversation and practical strategies drawn from other therapeutic methods.

Working relationally is central to her practice - she aims to respond with genuineness, warmth, honesty, respect and a non-judgemental stance so clients can uncover how they present to others and to themselves. Hayley also uses creative tools at times, such as metaphor, creative writing or journaling, and draws on techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy and solution-focused brief therapy to support progress.

She is a registered member of the BACP and holds NCPS credentials. The BACP is a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK and membership reflects adherence to an ethical framework. All of her work is clinically supervised and she is insured to practise. Hayley is qualified to provide online and telephone sessions.

Therapeutic Approaches and Remote Care

Hayley uses several established approaches to support clients depending on their needs. Attachment-Based Therapy looks at how early relationships shape patterns in adult life - it can be helpful for people struggling with relationship difficulties, attachment concerns, or feelings of abandonment. Client-Centered Therapy places the client at the heart of the work - the therapist offers empathy and acceptance while the client explores thoughts and feelings to build self-understanding and confidence. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thoughts and behaviours - it is commonly used for anxiety, depression, stress and related difficulties.

Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey and Hayley works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on their goals, preferences and what emerges in sessions. The process is guided by discussion, trial and adjustment so the therapeutic plan aligns with the client’s experience.

Online therapy through video calls, phone sessions, live chat or text-based messaging offers flexibility for people juggling work, family or mobility limitations. These options make it easier to attend sessions from home or other convenient locations, maintain continuity of care during life changes, and access therapy in formats that suit different communication styles. Licensed professionals and therapists can adapt their methods to work effectively across these channels.