Matthew Costello, BACP

Matthew Costello is a person-centred counsellor and psychotherapist who works from a compassionate, client-focused stance. He is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). His style is straightforward and warm, aimed at helping people feel heard and understood during difficult times.

He focuses on everyday problems such as stress, anxiety and low self-esteem. He also supports people facing addictions, grief, trauma and relationship concerns. Other areas he helps with include parenting pressures, sleep and eating difficulties, anger, and coping with life changes.

Matthew has three years of professional experience and says his own life challenges shaped his decision to work in counselling. That background informs his practical and empathetic approach in sessions. He also has experience with people who identify as neurodiverse and those experiencing a range of mental health tensions.

Sessions are aimed at helping people notice their own strengths and make achievable changes. He creates a calm, respectful space where clients can talk through what matters to them. The emphasis is on understanding the person first, then working together on next steps.

People often come looking for help with specific problems such as panic attacks, addiction, fatherhood issues, or midlife uncertainty. Matthew will listen, reflect, and support clients to identify practical steps that fit their life and goals.

How person-centred work translates to online therapy

Matthew identifies as a person-centred counsellor, which means sessions focus on listening, reflecting and helping people find their own solutions. This approach aims to create a supportive space where clients can explore feelings and consider practical steps to change. It tends to suit concerns like anxiety, low self-esteem, grief and relationship stress.

He also draws on evidence-based therapeutic techniques to support specific problems such as panic attacks, addiction and sleep difficulties. These techniques involve clear strategies for managing symptoms, learning new coping skills and breaking unhelpful patterns. Each technique is used with the client’s goals in mind and adapted to what feels most useful.

Finding the right way of working is part of the process and he will discuss options with each client. Together they will agree which approaches or techniques to try, based on needs, goals and personal preferences. This makes the work collaborative rather than one-size-fits-all.

The biography does not list which session formats are offered, so check the available options before booking. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. It also lets people choose the setting that helps them focus and stay engaged without having to rearrange their day.