Counsellor profile
Nicola Willoughby, BACP
Counsellor - trauma and grief
See online counselling options- Integrative approach
- CBT methods
- Parenting support
About Nicola
Counsellor and BACP member Nicola Willoughby has practised in the United Kingdom since 2020. She lists trauma and abuse, grief, parenting, career and coping with life changes among her main areas of work. Nicola describes an integrative approach and adapts how she works to fit each person.
Nicola trained as an integrative counsellor and completed a higher diploma in CBT, plus a foundation certificate in working with children and teens. She has additional training in bereavement and loss, domestic abuse, anxiety, anger and emotional regulation. Those courses inform how she plans sessions and suggests techniques.
Sessions aim to help people notice their strengths and identify practical steps they can take. Nicola uses conversation and evidence-based techniques to address specific difficulties such as panic, phobias, social anxiety, eating issues and relationship communication problems. She also supports people dealing with fertility issues, pregnancy and childbirth concerns, and separation.
She has worked with children and adults who have ADHD or autism diagnoses during her placements, and applies that experience when helping people recognise personal strengths. Nicola encourages straightforward discussion about daily problems and coping strategies.
People who want to start are asked to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Fees vary by location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time. International clients are not currently accepted.
How Nicola uses evidence-based approaches online
Nicola names an integrative approach and training in cognitive behavioural therapy. Integrative work means she draws on different techniques to fit the person's needs. That might include talking through patterns, practical exercises and behavioural steps to try between sessions. Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviour. It often uses short practical tasks and ways of noticing thought patterns to reduce panic, anxiety and phobic responses. Nicola's other training in bereavement work can help when grief or loss are central to the sessions. Choosing the right approach is part of the work together. Nicola will discuss what seems most useful, try methods in sessions and adjust them based on the client's goals and preferences. This is a collaborative process where the client and counsellor decide what to keep using. Practical benefits of online counselling can include fitting sessions around work or family life and reducing travel time. The original profile does not list which session formats are offered, so please confirm current options before booking. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time, which can make scheduling and regular contact easier for some people.Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Nicola commonly help with?
She works with trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, career issues and coping with life changes. Additional areas include anxiety, panic, phobias, eating issues and relationship communication problems.
How does she work with clients?
Nicola uses an integrative approach, adapting methods to the person. She combines conversational work with evidence-based techniques such as CBT.
How long has she been practising?
She has been working in counselling since 2020, which gives around three years of experience.
Which professional body is she a member of?
She is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP.
What languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted.
What formats are used for sessions?
The original profile does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How do I begin if I want a first session?
Select the See online counselling options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule your first session.
Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A membership or registration can be checked on the professional body's own register.
Online counselling is not emergency care. In an emergency call 999, or see the help numbers.