Stephen Matthews, BACP

Stephen Matthews is a counsellor who trained and works in the United Kingdom. He is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has three years of experience supporting people through stress, anxiety, relationship strain, trauma and grief. He also focuses on depression and on issues connected to attachment and abandonment.

Stephen volunteers with a bereavement service, so he has additional hands-on experience with loss and mourning. He has worked with people on autism and attention differences, and with carers who face prolonged strain and responsibility.

In sessions he aims to make things straightforward and calm. He creates a non-judgemental space where people can say what they are thinking and feeling. The goal is to help clients find clearer ways to manage day-to-day life and difficult emotions.

Stephen describes his main approach as person-centred therapy, which puts the client at the centre of the work and listens closely to what matters to them. He may draw on other evidence-based techniques too, using practical strategies and tools tailored to each person’s needs.

He encourages people to set the pace and direction of their work. The intention is often to build stronger coping, greater self-understanding, and the ability to step back from therapy when ready, with the option to return if needed.

Person-centred work and practical techniques for remote support

Person-centred therapy places the client's perspective at the heart of the work. The counsellor listens closely and follows what matters to the client, helping them make sense of their feelings and choices. This approach is useful for anxiety, relationship concerns, grief and building self-understanding.

Alongside that, evidence-based practical techniques can be used to manage symptoms day to day. These might include simple coping strategies for stress, grounding or breathing approaches for flashbacks and short communication tools to improve conversations with others. Such techniques are chosen to match the problem at hand and to be usable between sessions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. The therapist will work with the client to decide which methods suit their goals, preferences and current needs. That choice can change over time as progress is made and priorities shift.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm current session options before booking. Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around caregiving, work and everyday life because it reduces travel and can allow shorter check-ins when needed. It can also allow people to keep continuity of care if they move within the country, while the therapist and client agree the best pace and practical arrangements for their work together.