Hayley Matthews, BACP, NCPS

Hayley Matthews is a therapeutic counsellor who aims to help people who feel overwhelmed by change, loss or persistent low mood. She works with individuals experiencing depression, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, addiction and problems with confidence and self-esteem. Hayley writes plainly and listens with warmth to help people make sense of their experiences and find practical steps forward.

She uses a person-centred way of working that focuses on the client's story and what matters to them. That approach is combined with relational care - genuineness, warmth and non-judgement - so people feel heard while they explore painful or confusing memories. Hayley may use creative tasks such as journaling or metaphor when it helps a client express things that are hard to say.

She also draws on techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy and solution-focused work to notice unhelpful patterns and try small, realistic changes. This mix supports both longer-term exploration and shorter-term problem solving, depending on what someone needs.

Hayley has five years' experience working in mental health and the care sector. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP, and holds NCPS. Her work is clinically supervised and insured.

Sessions are offered in English and Hayley provides online or telephone sessions as described in her biography. People who are unsure how to start are encouraged to use the site Start Therapy button to complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule an initial appointment.

How her approaches translate to online counselling

Hayley combines person-centred, attachment-informed care with practical cognitive behavioural techniques. Person-centred work focuses on listening, empathy and helping people tell their story, which can help with issues like low mood, bereavement and life transitions. Attachment-informed work looks at how past relationships shape current reactions and can be useful for attachment issues, intimacy concerns and relationship patterns.

Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, helps identify unhelpful thoughts and gently test small behavioural changes. That approach suits people who want concrete tools to manage anxiety, low mood or stress alongside the longer conversational work. Finding the right mix is collaborative; the therapist will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most helpful, and adjust the approach as therapy progresses.

Hayley's biography notes she offers online and telephone sessions, so check current session options before booking to confirm what is available. Online work can make fitting therapy into a busy week easier and can reduce travel time. Telephone sessions can be a practical choice for shorter check-ins or when lower bandwidth is needed. Registered or accredited professionals, including therapists who use these approaches, can adapt methods to suit online formats and everyday life commitments.