Phillipa Whitehead

• Stress and anxiety
• Trauma and abuse
• CBT and person-centred

About Phillipa

Phillipa Whitehead helps people address stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem and depression. She also supports those coping with addiction, relationship and intimacy issues, sleep problems, parenting strain, anger and major life changes. Phillipa uses a person-centred style and says she works collaboratively so people can find their own solutions. She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has 11 years' experience.

Phillipa works with adults in a range of settings and in different stages of difficulty. People may come after a crisis, because of ongoing problems, or when previous help did not make the difference they hoped for. Sessions are a place to talk things through at your own pace and to consider practical steps forward.

Her main way of working is person-centred therapy, which keeps the person’s perspective central and encourages them to lead the focus of sessions. She also draws on cognitive behavioural techniques to look at patterns of thinking and behaviour, and on solution-focused methods to identify workable changes and small goals.

When trauma or difficult past experiences are present, Phillipa uses trauma-focused approaches that prioritise safety and gradual processing. Motivational interviewing is used when people want to change behaviours such as substance use and need support in finding their own reasons for change.

She aims to combine these approaches to match what each person needs, so sessions are practical and paced to the individual. Phillipa works in English and accepts international clients.

How her therapeutic approaches work for online sessions

Client-centred therapy focuses on the person’s own perspective and priorities and helps people to lead the work in sessions. It is useful for those who want a reflective space to make sense of feelings and choices.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) looks at links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses practical exercises to test and change unhelpful patterns. It can help with anxiety, low mood, sleep difficulties and some coping strategies.

Motivational Interviewing helps people clarify their own reasons for change and builds commitment to practical steps, which is often useful for addictions or lifestyle changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Phillipa will discuss options and adapt methods based on the person’s goals and preferences, so the style of sessions can change as progress is made.

Session arrangements in this biography are not specified, so please confirm current session formats before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit therapy around work or family life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when needed, while telephone sessions usually need less bandwidth than video. Registered and accredited professionals can offer different practical options, and Phillipa will discuss what suits each person when arranging the first appointment.

Topics Phillipa lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Trauma and abuse
• Grief
• Self-esteem
• Depression
• Addictions
• Relationship issues
• Intimacy-related issues
• Sleeping disorders
• Parenting issues
• Anger management
• Career difficulties
• Coping with life changes
• Coaching
• Compassion fatigue
• ADHD
• Abandonment
• Adoption and foster care
• Aging and geriatric issues
• Antisocial personality
• Avoidant personality
• Caregiver issues and stress
• Chronic pain, illness, and disability
• Commitment issues
• Communication problems
• Control issues
• Dissociation
• Divorce and separation
• Domestic violence
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Emptiness
• Family problems
• Forgiveness
• Guilt and shame
• Impulsivity
• Infidelity
• Isolation and loneliness
• Jealousy
• Life purpose
• Men's issues
• Midlife crisis
• Veteran and armed forces issues
• Money and financial issues
• Mood disorders
• Narcissism
• Obsessions, compulsions, and OCD
• Panic disorder and panic attacks
• Phobias
• Post-traumatic stress
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Self-love
• Sexual assault and abuse
• Sexuality
• Quitting smoking or vaping
• Social anxiety and phobia
• Women's issues
• Workplace issues
• Young adult issues

Ways of working

• Client-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Motivational Interviewing
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Trauma-Focused Therapy

Questions about Phillipa

Does she work with anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety and stress are listed among the main concerns she supports.

What kind of counselling does she offer?

She primarily uses a person-centred approach and also uses cognitive behavioural therapy, solution-focused methods and trauma-focused work.

How much experience does she have?

She has 11 years of professional experience working with adults in varied settings.

Is she a BACP registered therapist in the UK?

She is a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP) and practises in the United Kingdom.

In which languages can I speak with her?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can international clients have sessions?

Yes, she accepts international clients.

What formats are available for sessions?

Session formats are not specified in the biography; please confirm the current session options before booking.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.