Elizabeth (Liz) Cook, BACP

Elizabeth (Liz) Cook qualified as a counsellor in the United Kingdom in 2012 and brings 12 years of clinical experience to her practice. Before training as a counsellor she spent 22 years working in social care supporting people with disabilities and the family members who care for them, which informs her clear understanding of how illness and disability can affect individuals and families.

Liz has extensive experience supporting people who are experiencing anxiety, depression and stress, including those who have suicidal thoughts, manage distress through self-harm, or feel shut off from the world. She works with a wide range of concerns, from relationship and family difficulties to trauma, addiction, grief and the emotional impact of life changes.

Trained in person-centred counselling and holding a qualification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Liz combines empathetic, client-led listening with practical strategies when appropriate. She is affiliated with BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), a national professional organisation for counsellors and psychotherapists. In early sessions she offers space for clients to explain their situation and goals, and then discusses how she might work alongside them.

Liz believes people carry the resources for positive change and that a supportive therapeutic relationship can help those resources emerge. She aims to accompany clients as they explore challenges and develop coping skills to improve their wellbeing.

CBT and Person-centred Support Online

CBT, or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, is a structured approach that helps people identify and shift unhelpful patterns of thought and behaviour; it is often used to address anxiety, depression, stress and problems with sleep or coping with change. Person-centred counselling emphasises empathic listening and creating a non-judgmental space where a person’s own strengths and insights can emerge - this approach is particularly helpful for building self-esteem, exploring grief, and working through relationship concerns.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. Liz works collaboratively with each person to assess needs, goals and preferences, and she tailors sessions so the methods used feel relevant and manageable. This collaborative way of working helps determine whether a more structured CBT focus or a person-centred, exploratory style - or a combination - is the best fit.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy lives, reduce travel time, and maintain continuity of support. Registered professionals can use these formats to teach coping skills, reflect with clients, and adapt the pace of work to suit each individual’s circumstances.