Debra Laking, BACP

Debra Laking is a UK-based therapist who offers a compassionate, person-focused approach to help people navigate stressful and uncertain periods in life. With four years of professional experience, she combines an integrative humanistic stance with evidence-informed methods to tailor therapy to each person's needs. She works with common concerns such as stress and anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief and loss, low self-esteem, and coping with life changes, and also supports clients facing aging or geriatric challenges, caregiving stress, attachment and communication issues, and life transitions related to divorce or end-of-life care.

Debra draws on a range of clinical approaches, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), the Gottman Method for relationship work, and mindfulness-based techniques, adapting these to the individual rather than applying a one-size-fits-all model. She emphasises empathy, respect, and a non-judgemental therapeutic space, viewing clients as the experts in their own stories while offering guidance to build on existing strengths.

She holds the BACP credential - membership of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy - and is available to work with both UK and international clients. Debra supports people seeking clearer direction, relief from distressing emotions, or practical tools to manage everyday challenges, and she aims to collaborate with each person to set realistic goals and foster lasting change.

Therapeutic approaches that work well online

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT helps clients clarify their values and learn ways to accept difficult thoughts and feelings while taking meaningful action. It is often used for anxiety, stress, and life transitions where people want to live in line with what matters to them.

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on building a supportive, empathetic relationship in which the client is seen as the expert on their own experience. This approach is helpful for those seeking greater self-understanding, improved self-esteem, or a calm space to process grief and relationship challenges.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical skills to identify and reframe unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours. It is commonly used for anxiety, stress, and mood concerns, and can produce tools clients use between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic journey. Debra will work collaboratively with each person to explore which methods fit their needs, goals, and personal preferences, adjusting the plan as progress is made.

Online therapy offers flexible options including video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These formats make it easier to fit sessions into busy lives, access support from different locations, and continue work consistently despite practical obstacles, while still working with registered professionals and therapists who guide the process.