Francesca Whitby, BACP

Francesca Whitby offers a calm, non-judgemental space for people who feel anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck. She introduces herself simply and listens closely so a person can say what matters in their own words. Francesca helps people find practical ways to cope while also exploring deeper patterns that affect everyday life.

She uses a person-centred approach, which focuses on understanding each person as an individual. That approach gives space to talk and be heard without pressure. Francesca combines this with cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, to introduce tools for changing unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.

Sessions typically involve talking things through, noticing repeated patterns, and trying small changes between meetings. She aims to be warm, honest and down to earth in sessions. People do not need to arrive with perfect wording - the conversation can start wherever they are.

Francesca has four years of experience and is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP. She works with a broad range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship issues, trauma and abuse, self-esteem, grief, eating and sleeping difficulties, parenting strains, anger and career worries.

She also offers support around ADHD and mood conditions such as depression and bipolar, and addresses topics like attachment, body image, codependency, commitment and blended family issues. If someone wants to begin, they can take things one step at a time and build a plan that fits their life.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Francesca blends person-centred work with cognitive behavioural therapy so online sessions aim to combine listening with practical steps. Person-centred therapy focuses on providing a warm, accepting space where someone can be heard and understood. It helps when someone needs time to make sense of feelings or to rebuild confidence. Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, uses structured conversations and practical exercises to tackle unhelpful thoughts and behaviours and can help with anxiety, low mood and sleep problems.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work and will be decided together. The therapist will talk through goals, preferences and what feels most helpful, then adapt methods as therapy progresses. That collaborative process helps make sessions relevant and realistic for everyday life.

Session logistics should be confirmed before booking as the biography does not specify which formats are used. Online therapy can make it easier to fit meetings into a busy week, avoid travel, and keep check-ins short when needed. It can also allow people to use practical CBT exercises between sessions and bring patterns from daily life into discussion.