Simon Barkley, BACP

Simon Barkley is a UK-based, licensed therapist who combines formal training with a practical, client-focused approach. He holds a BA in Integrative Counselling and an MSc in Psychology, and is registered with the BACP - the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Across eight years of professional practice, Simon has supported people working through addictions, anger, bereavement, low self-esteem, trauma, and other challenges that affect relationships, work and daily life.

His work draws on evidence-informed methods including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and client-centered principles, together with existential perspectives and motivational techniques when helpful. Simon adapts these approaches in a pluralistic way, tailoring interventions to each person rather than applying a single formula. He views clients as experts in their own stories and seeks to uncover existing strengths while identifying unhelpful patterns that maintain distress.

In sessions Simon focuses on practical strategies for coping and growth, offering empathic support and collaborative planning to move toward clearer goals. He aims to help clients improve how they relate to themselves and others, manage emotional difficulties, and build skills for more productive, fulfilling lives. Simon welcomes the chance to meet new clients and begin work toward their therapy goals.

Therapeutic Approaches Adapted for Online Care

Simon uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Client-Centered Therapy as core frameworks in his online practice. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on identifying unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns and learning practical skills to change them - it is often used for anxiety, depression, stress, and problems that respond to structured skill-building. Client-Centered Therapy emphasizes the client-therapist relationship, offering empathy and nonjudgmental support to help people explore their feelings, build self-understanding, and activate their own resources for change.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Simon works collaboratively with each client to determine which methods best match their needs, goals, and personal preferences, and he adjusts the blend of techniques as those needs evolve.

Online therapy offers flexibility in how and when people access support. Simon provides video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging to accommodate different schedules and communication styles. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care, fit sessions into busy lives, and access therapy from different locations while working with registered professionals and therapists who tailor the work to each individual.