Nicola Willoughby, BACP

Nicola Willoughby is a UK-based counsellor and a registered member of the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). Since beginning her practice in 2020, she has developed a flexible, person-centred style rooted in integrative training, which enables her to adapt techniques to suit each individual's needs and preferences.

Her training includes a higher diploma in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and a foundation certificate for working with children and teenagers, alongside additional coursework in bereavement and loss, domestic abuse, anxiety, anger and emotional regulation. This blend of skills supports Nicola's work across areas such as trauma and abuse, grief, parenting challenges, career issues and coping with life changes, while also informing support for attachment concerns, communication difficulties, relationship separation, and a range of women-focused issues.

Nicola has experience working with children and young people who have ADHD or autism spectrum diagnoses, and with adults who are newly diagnosed, helping them recognise strengths and personal resources. She works from the view that people often hold the answers to their own difficulties and that therapeutic change emerges when those strengths are noticed and applied. Nicola aims to collaborate with clients to uncover practical ways forward and build on their existing resilience.

Evidence-Based Approaches and Flexible Online Support

Nicola integrates cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) with a flexible, integrative counselling framework. CBT focuses on identifying and shifting unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, and is helpful for anxiety, panic, phobias and mood-related challenges. The integrative approach draws from a range of therapies to create a tailored plan that fits an individual's history, strengths and presenting concerns, useful for complex issues such as trauma, relationship difficulties and life transitions.

Nicola also uses practical emotional regulation skills learned through additional training in anger, anxiety and emotional control. These skills teach ways to manage intense feelings and build coping strategies, which can support work with grief, trauma and parenting stress. The choice of methods is collaborative - Nicola works with each client to identify which approaches feel most appropriate for their goals and personal preferences.

Online sessions by video call, phone, live chat or text-based messaging make it easier to access consistent support without travel. These options offer flexibility for scheduling around work, family and other commitments, and allow registered professionals like Nicola to provide ongoing, focused therapeutic work from different locations.