Deborah Espie, BACP

Deborah Espie is a warm, down-to-earth, trauma-informed therapist who aims to help people feel seen, heard, and supported. With eight years of clinical experience, she works with adults and young people on concerns such as trauma, anxiety, low mood, grief, relationship difficulties, and major life transitions. She also has specialist experience supporting neurodivergent clients and brings a broad understanding of how people adapt and grow through challenges thanks to senior clinical and academic roles held alongside her therapeutic practice.

Her approach is client-centred and integrative, meaning she adapts the work to each person’s needs and preferences. She draws on evidence-based methods including cognitive behavioural techniques and mindfulness, and she places emphasis on empathy, authenticity, and building practical skills for resilience and self-compassion. Deborah also uses creative elements such as imagery, metaphor, and reflective exercises when helpful to support expression and healing beyond words.

Deborah is a member of the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - which is a professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the UK. She is experienced in delivering therapy online and by telephone, and arranges sessions so they fit each client’s schedule. She does not keep diary appointments openly available on the platform to avoid scheduling clashes; instead, prospective clients are invited to contact her through the platform so a mutually convenient session time can be agreed and recorded.

Approaches and advantages of remote therapy with a trauma-informed clinician

Deborah commonly integrates client-centred and mindfulness-informed ways of working. Client-centred therapy focuses on building a trusting, nonjudgmental relationship where the client’s experience guides the pace and content of sessions - this helps with issues like relationship difficulties, low self-esteem, and navigating life changes. Mindfulness therapy teaches practical attention and grounding skills that reduce anxiety and support regulation of mood, which can be useful for stress, worry, and managing difficult emotions. She is also trauma-focused in her practice, offering careful, paced support aimed at helping people process and move forward from traumatic or abusive experiences.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Deborah works collaboratively with clients to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and adapts the plan as therapy progresses so the work remains relevant and practical.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can take place by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging to suit different schedules, comfort levels, and communication styles. This flexibility can make it easier to maintain continuity of care while fitting therapy around daily life and responsibilities, and registered professionals can tailor remote sessions to the individual needs of each client.