Linda Austin, BACP

Linda Austin is a qualified counsellor with five years of practice and registration with the BACP, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. She has worked across a range of settings, including the criminal justice system, domestic abuse services, drug and alcohol programmes, and behaviour change interventions, as well as supporting people with relationship concerns, anxiety and depression.

Linda's style is direct and pragmatic. She offers honest feedback and practical guidance when requested while maintaining a collaborative stance that recognises the client as the expert on their own life. She listens without judgement and balances attentive listening with clear, real-world input. When relevant, she may share lived experience to help clients feel understood and to move conversations forward.

Clients turn to Linda for help with a wide spectrum of issues such as addiction, trauma and abuse, grief, parenting and family difficulties, stress and coping with life changes. Those who are ready to try therapy can book a session to begin working toward clearer goals and better ways of managing the challenges they face.

Approaches Linda Uses and How They Work Online

Linda draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centered Therapy and Motivational Interviewing as part of her clinical approach. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) helps people notice their thoughts and feelings without getting stuck in them, and supports movement toward values-driven action - it is often used for anxiety, low mood and coping with life changes. Client-Centered Therapy focuses on empathic listening and creating a nonjudgmental space so a person can explore their feelings and find their own solutions - this approach can be helpful for relationship issues, self-esteem and grief. Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative, goal-oriented method that helps people resolve ambivalence and find motivation for behaviour change, which is especially useful in work with addictions and lifestyle changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Linda works collaboratively with each person to identify which methods fit best with their needs, goals and preferences, and adapts her way of working as progress unfolds. Registered professionals and therapists often combine techniques to suit the individual rather than relying on a single model.

Online therapy with Linda is offered via video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging, giving flexibility to fit therapy around work, family and other commitments. Remote sessions make it easier to connect from different locations and to maintain continuity of care when circumstances change, while still enabling a supportive therapeutic relationship to develop.