Lucy McGroarty , BACP

Lucy McGroarty is an integrative counsellor who draws on a blend of person-centred, cognitive behavioural and psychodynamic approaches to tailor support to each person's needs. She believes that people have the capacity to heal and grow when they have the right support, and she works collaboratively to help clients make sense of difficult experiences such as stress, anxiety, trauma, grief and relationship challenges. Her practice also addresses a wide range of life issues including self-esteem, addictions, parenting, intimacy and career-related concerns.

While talking therapy is central to her work, Lucy has trained with the Institute of Arts to incorporate creativity, imagery and metaphor into sessions when words alone are not enough. This creative element offers alternative ways to explore emotions and memories, which some clients find helps them access and express difficult feelings more readily. She emphasises the therapeutic relationship as the core of effective counselling, aiming to provide an open, non-judgmental space where connection and understanding guide the process.

Lucy holds the BACP credential - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and uses her training to adapt methods to what each person brings to therapy. She encourages practical comforts during online sessions, such as a favourite blanket, a cup of tea or a pet, to help clients feel more at ease while they work through challenging material.

Therapeutic Approaches and Online Support

Lucy works from an integrative framework and commonly uses client-centred therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). Client-centred therapy focuses on creating a warm, accepting environment where the therapist listens deeply and supports the client to find their own solutions - it can be especially helpful for building self-esteem, processing relationship issues and navigating life transitions. CBT is a structured approach that helps identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns, often used for anxiety, depression and stress-related concerns.

Lucy also brings trauma-focused understanding to her work when needed, offering ways to address the lasting effects of traumatic experiences through tailored techniques that target safety, regulation and gradual processing. Choosing the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey - Lucy collaborates with each person to determine what fits best, adapting methods to match goals, preferences and the pace that feels comfortable.

Online therapy with Lucy is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, providing flexibility for different schedules and needs. These options make it easier to attend sessions from home or other convenient locations, support continuity of care during busy periods, and allow clients to choose the format that helps them engage most effectively with therapy.