Cheryl McDonald-Tuckwell

• Stress and anxiety
• Grief and loss
• Parenting support

About Cheryl

Cheryl McDonald-Tuckwell helps people address stress, anxiety, relationship concerns, grief, trauma and a wide range of life challenges using conversation and practical techniques. She works online and by telephone and has 16 years of professional experience. Cheryl is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP).

Cheryl uses a mix of approaches to suit each person. She draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Client-Centred Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and also uses Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy where helpful. Sessions focus on what the person brings each week, and she uses straightforward, practical methods alongside reflective conversation.

Her background includes work in GP practice settings supporting depression, low mood, anxiety and parenting skills. She has worked in schools with children and young people on exam pressure and school avoidance, and in women’s services on miscarriage, stillbirth and fertility issues. Cheryl has supported people affected by cancer, bereavement, and trauma following violent crime.

She has experience helping people understand childhood emotional neglect, attachment patterns and how these affect current relationships. Cheryl also supports people with neurodivergence, including developing social skills and emotion regulation, and she notes awareness of sensory needs when working on an online platform.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, Cheryl offers informed understanding of related concerns. For first steps she asks people to complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session via the service's booking flow.

How her therapeutic approaches work online

Cheryl regularly uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centred Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy in her online and telephone work. ACT focuses on identifying personal values and taking actions that align with those values while accepting difficult thoughts and feelings; it can help with anxiety, low mood and coping with change. Client-Centred Therapy places the person at the centre of the session, using reflective listening and acceptance to help people clarify their thoughts and feelings and decide what matters to them. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses structured techniques to address patterns that contribute to distress.

Choosing the right approach is part of the process. The counsellor will discuss goals, preferences and what feels most useful, and then adjust the style of sessions together in a collaborative way.

Confirm the practical session formats offered before booking. The biography states she offers weekly sessions by video, telephone or chat; these can fit around work, childcare and daily routines and allow for shorter or longer check-ins depending on need. Many people find online or telephone sessions make it easier to keep continuity of support and to schedule regular weekly contact without travel.

Topics Cheryl lists

• Stress and anxiety
• LGBT
• Relationship issues
• Self-esteem
• Coping with life changes
• Addictions
• Family conflicts
• Trauma and abuse
• Grief
• Intimacy-related issues
• Eating disorders
• Sleeping disorders
• Parenting issues
• Anger management
• Career difficulties
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Coaching
• Compassion fatigue
• ADHD
• Abandonment
• Adoption and foster care
• Attachment issues
• Autism and Asperger Syndrome
• Avoidant personality
• Blended family issues
• Commitment issues
• Communication problems
• Control issues
• Coping with natural or human-caused disaster
• Dissociation
• Divorce and separation
• Domestic violence
• Family problems
• Forgiveness
• Guilt and shame
• Impulsivity
• Infidelity
• Isolation and loneliness
• Life purpose
• Midlife crisis
• Money and financial issues
• Narcissism
• Postpartum depression
• Post-traumatic stress
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Process addictions
• Self-harm
• Self-love
• Sexuality
• Social anxiety and phobia
• Trichotillomania
• Women's issues
• Workplace issues
• Young adult issues

Ways of working

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Client-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Narrative Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Trauma-Focused Therapy
• Internal Family Systems

Questions about Cheryl

What concerns does she work with?

She works with stress, anxiety, depression, relationship and intimacy issues, grief, trauma, addiction, eating and sleeping problems, parenting and many other life challenges.

What kind of counselling does she offer?

Sessions combine Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Client-Centred Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy with techniques from Motivational Interviewing and Narrative Therapy as needed.

How much experience does she have?

She has 16 years of professional experience working across GP practice, schools, women’s services and bereavement support.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

She is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and practises in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are available for sessions?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the UK work with her?

She does not accept international clients at this time.

What session formats does she provide?

Her biography states she offers weekly sessions via video, telephone or chat; confirm current session options before booking.

How do I start working with her and what does it cost?

Begin by selecting the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule a first session. Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.