Counsellor profile
Stephen Matthews, BACP
Counsellor - stress and relationships
See online counselling options- Person-centred approach
- Bereavement support
- Autism aware
About Stephen
Stephen Matthews is a counsellor and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) with three years of professional experience. He works in the United Kingdom and supports people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief and depression.
He also has experience with abandonment and attachment issues, autism and Asperger syndrome, caregiver stress, communication problems, coping after disasters, divorce and separation, guilt and shame, questions about life purpose, men's issues, post-traumatic stress and self-love. He volunteers as a counsellor at a bereavement service and has spent time listening to people during very personal and painful times.
His main approach is person-centred counselling. That means sessions focus on the client’s own priorities and experience. The counsellor tries to understand what someone is thinking and feeling, and to follow where they want to go in the work.
He may also use practical strategies and tools from other approaches to help manage specific problems. These can include techniques to cope with anxiety, handle difficult memories, and improve day-to-day functioning. The aim is to build enough confidence and skill for a person to step away from therapy when they wish.
Sessions are framed around the client’s goals and pace. Stephen aims to work collaboratively, helping people find clearer ways to address their concerns and make manageable changes. Prospective clients should confirm current session options before booking.
Therapeutic approaches and working online
Person-centred counselling focuses on the client's own concerns and priorities. It involves the counsellor listening closely and following what the person finds most important, which helps when someone wants to understand feelings about relationships, loss or stress.He also uses evidence-based techniques from other approaches to give practical tools. These techniques might include simple coping strategies for anxiety, or methods to manage difficult memories and reactions after trauma. Such tools aim to make day-to-day life more manageable while the person decides what they want to work on.
Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The counsellor discusses options with the client, considers their goals and preferences, and adapts the work as needed. Together they check whether particular techniques are helpful and change course if they are not.
The profile does not list which session formats are offered. Please confirm current session options before booking. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy life, for example by reducing travel time or allowing shorter check-ins during a work break. It can also suit people who prefer not to be on camera or who need a lower-bandwidth option.
Areas of expertise
Primary focus
Additional focus areas
Experience
3+ years
Listed in
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What issues does he help with most often?
He works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, trauma and abuse, grief and depression. He also supports people with related concerns such as attachment issues, caregiver stress and men's issues.
What style of counselling does he use?
His main style is person-centred counselling which focuses on the client's experience and priorities. He may combine this with practical strategies from other approaches when useful.
How much experience does he have?
He has three years of professional counselling experience and volunteers at a bereavement service.
Which professional body is he a member of?
He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, listed as BACP.
Which languages are sessions offered in?
Sessions are offered in English.
Can international clients be seen?
He does not accept international clients at this time.
What session formats are available?
The original profile does not specify session formats. Please confirm current session options before booking.
How much do sessions cost and how do payments work?
Fees vary with location and sessions are billed through a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
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.