Lydia Chapman , BACP

Lydia Chapman is an experienced counsellor with more than nine years of practice supporting adults and young people in individual and group settings. She holds MBACP - a membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, a BSC Hons in therapeutic counselling and supervision, a Diploma in Counselling, a Diploma in Holistic Therapies and has training as a mental health first aider. Lydia combines these qualifications with a person-centred, Rogerian core to create a respectful, non-judgemental space where clients can explore difficult feelings and life experiences.

She has worked in a variety of client-facing roles within charities and draws on an integrated approach to tailor therapy to each person. Her experience covers a wide range of concerns including domestic and sexual abuse, trauma and post-traumatic stress, anxiety, depression, stress, low self-esteem, eating difficulties, bereavement and the impact of suicide and self-harm on individuals and families. She also works with relationship and family issues, addiction, anger, learning difficulties and childhood-related problems.

Lydia places strong emphasis on the therapeutic relationship - presence, unconditional positive regard, congruence and empathic understanding - as central to change. She offers both remote therapy for clients worldwide and face-to-face sessions for people in her local area, adapting sessions to suit individual needs and preferences.

Approaches That Translate Well to Online Therapy

Lydia integrates client-centred therapy, attachment-based work and cognitive behavioural techniques to support people across a range of issues. Client-centred therapy focuses on empathic listening, presence and unconditional positive regard to help clients explore their thoughts and feelings at their own pace - it is especially helpful for low self-esteem, life transitions and relationship concerns. Attachment-based therapy looks at patterns formed in early relationships and how they affect current bonds, which can be useful for intimacy-related problems, abandonment issues and family dynamics. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and shift unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, offering tools that are often effective for anxiety, depression and stress.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey; Lydia works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, set goals and adapt methods so treatment fits individual preferences and circumstances. Clients are invited to shape the process and try different techniques where appropriate.

Online therapy provides flexibility - sessions by video, phone, live chat or text-based messaging make it easier to arrange appointments around work, family and other commitments. Remote formats also increase accessibility for people who live far from local services or prefer to work from home, while enabling ongoing support during significant life changes.