Shirley Banton, BACP

Shirley Banton is a BACP-registered therapist who offers trauma-informed, client-centered care that honours each person’s pace and preferences. She combines a respectful, collaborative stance with an openness to deeper reflection and meaning-making, supporting clients who want to understand patterns, rebuild confidence, and develop healthier boundaries.

Her practice specialises in relational and complex difficulties, including support for survivors of domestic violence and people affected by emotional or psychological abuse such as coercive control and long-term relational trauma. She also works with common concerns like anxiety, stress, burnout, low self-worth, grief, and challenges tied to life transitions, offering steady, consistent therapeutic support rather than quick solutions.

Shirley works best with people who are willing to reflect and curious about personal change, and she tailors interventions rather than using a one-size-fits-all model. Her approach balances gentle honesty with practical tools, helping clients slow down, make sense of what they’re carrying, and take steps toward greater emotional stability and a more grounded sense of self.

She offers online therapy to make support more accessible, and she holds membership of the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.

Approaches and Online Support for Lasting Change

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating a respectful, non-judgemental space where the client’s experience guides the work. It helps people who feel stuck, disconnected, or low in self-worth to explore their feelings and build greater self-understanding.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offers practical strategies to identify and shift unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. It is useful for anxiety, low mood, stress, and situations where tangible tools and structured exercises can reduce distress and improve daily functioning.

Mindfulness Therapy teaches present-moment awareness and simple attention skills to reduce reactivity and support emotional regulation. It can be particularly helpful for stress, burnout, and managing strong emotions.

Finding the right approach is a collaborative process. Shirley will work with each person to decide which methods fit their needs, goals, and preferences, adjusting the mix of approaches as therapy progresses.

Online therapy with a registered professional offers flexibility - sessions by video, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging make it easier to access support from different locations and at varied times. These options can help people maintain continuity of care while fitting therapy around work, family, or other commitments.