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Nicola Willoughby, BACP

Based in the UK Online sessions

Calm counsellor who supports parents and change

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Years in practice
3
Registration
BACP
Languages
English
Focus
Trauma and abuse
Focus
Grief
Focus
Career difficulties
About

About Nicola

Nicola Willoughby is a counsellor and a registered member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She began practising in 2020 and focuses on concerns such as trauma and abuse, grief, parenting support, career questions and coping with life changes. Nicola writes plainly and aims to make sessions feel manageable for people under stress.

She prefers a flexible, integrative style that adapts to what each person needs. Nicola believes there is no single way that fits everyone, so she adjusts methods to suit the person in front of her.

Background and approach

Sessions are practical and down to earth, with an emphasis on spotting strengths and small steps for change. Nicola has additional training and experience in areas connected to bereavement, domestic abuse, anxiety, anger and emotional regulation. She has also worked with children and adolescents during her training, and with adults who have recently received neurodivergent diagnoses, helping them recognise their strengths.

Work in the room often involves talking through current struggles, identifying unhelpful patterns, and trying new ways of responding. Nicola looks to help people uncover solutions they already hold, and to build self-compassion along the way. Clients can expect a calm, encouraging approach that balances practical tools with reflective conversation.

Nicola practices across a range of concerns including attachment and communication problems, pregnancy and childbirth issues, and women's health topics.

Focus areas and approaches

What Nicola works with

Everything Nicola lists, in their own terms. Parenting is the reason this directory exists; the rest shows what else Nicola helps people with.

Online support

Approaches that suit online therapy and parenting support

Nicola draws on evidence-based techniques that are straightforward and practical. One commonly used approach focuses on cognitive and behavioural strategies that help spot unhelpful thoughts and build different habits; this can be useful for anxiety, panic and some forms of grief. Another strand uses integrative work - blending talk therapy with practical exercises - to respond to whatever a person needs in the moment, whether that is emotion regulation, relationship communication or coping with life changes.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Nicola will explore goals, preferences and how you respond to different techniques, then tailor sessions together. That means the plan can change as progress is made or new issues arise, keeping the process collaborative and goal-focused.

Online therapy makes this flexible. Video calls allow fuller conversation and visual cues, while phone sessions can be easier when bandwidth is limited. Live chat and text-based messaging suit shorter check-ins, quick reflections between sessions, or people who prefer writing to speaking. These options help fit therapy around parenting commitments, work or caregiving by offering more choice about when and how to connect.
Questions

Questions people ask about Nicola

What concerns does Nicola help with?

She supports people with trauma and abuse, grief, parenting questions, career changes and coping with life transitions. Other focuses include attachment, communication problems, domestic abuse and women's issues.

How would you describe her therapeutic style?

Nicola uses an integrative, adaptable style that mixes practical tools with reflective conversation. She aims to find approaches that suit each person's needs rather than applying a single method.

What experience does she have?

Nicola has worked in counselling since 2020 and has three years of experience. Her work includes supporting people through bereavement, anxiety, anger regulation and issues around domestic abuse.

What are her credentials and where is she based?

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

Which languages are sessions offered in?

Sessions are offered in English only. International clients are not currently accepted.

What formats are available for sessions?

Nicola offers video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging as session formats. These options allow different kinds of check-ins and levels of contact between meetings.

How does payment and cost work?

Cost varies with location and therapist availability. Sessions use a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time.

What are the first steps to start therapy?

Begin by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.

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