Hayley Matthews, BACP, NCPS

Hayley Matthews welcomes people who feel stuck, overwhelmed or worn down by stress and anxiety. She makes space for honest conversation and helps people work through trauma, loss, relationship strain and difficulties with self-esteem. Hayley is clear and down-to-earth in sessions, and aims to help people find practical ways to cope and move forward.

Hayley trained as a therapeutic counsellor and is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, BACP, and is listed with NCPS. She has five years' experience working in mental health services and the care sector, supporting people with depression, anxiety, addictions, grief and work-related stress, among other concerns.

Her approach is relational and person-centred. She focuses on being warm, honest and non-judgemental while listening to how life events have shaped a person's responses. Sessions can include talking, gentle reflection and practical steps to manage day-to-day problems.

Hayley also draws on ideas from cognitive behavioural methods and brief solution-focused work when these fit a person's goals. She sometimes invites creative exercises such as journaling, metaphor or writing to help people process feelings and notice patterns.

Hayley offers online and telephone sessions and works with people to find ways of organising therapy around their life. To begin, people use the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire and schedule sessions according to her availability.

How her approaches translate to online therapy

Hayley uses person-centred work that focuses on understanding each person's experience and building a genuine connection. This approach helps people talk through grief, low self-esteem and relationship strain by prioritising empathic listening and clear reflection.

She also draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which looks at thoughts and behaviours and teaches practical techniques to reduce anxiety or manage mood. CBT-style tools can be used in short exercises between sessions to build new habits and notice patterns.

Finding the right approach is collaborative. Hayley will help to identify what feels most useful based on a person's goals and preferences, and she will adapt methods as therapy progresses to better fit changing needs.

Her biography states she offers online and telephone sessions. Please confirm the current session options before booking so you know which formats are available. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel, and allow for shorter check-ins or longer sessions when needed, depending on what is arranged.