Deborah Giannasi, BACP

Deborah Giannasi is a person-centred counsellor with 17 years of practice, specialising in support for children, young people, families and adults across school and private settings. She draws on Carl Rogers' person-centred model to create a warm, non-judgemental therapeutic space where clients can explore feelings and build coping strategies. Deborah has developed additional skills through ongoing continuing professional development, enabling her to work effectively with a wide range of issues including anxiety, depression, bereavement and loss, family separation, attachment concerns, parenting challenges and self-harm.

When working with children she integrates experiential play therapy techniques to help young clients express themselves in developmentally appropriate ways. She also brings extensive knowledge of bereavement counselling to support people navigating loss and complex grief. As a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Deborah follows the organisation's professional code of practice - BACP is the professional body for counsellors and psychotherapists in the United Kingdom.

Deborah keeps her practice current through regular safeguarding training and monthly clinical supervision, and she offers tailored support that reflects each client's situation and goals. Her work focuses on creating an empathic, collaborative relationship that helps clients find practical ways to manage stress, improve relationships and move through life changes.

Person-Centred and Play-Based Support Online

Deborah works primarily from a person-centred framework, an approach that focuses on empathetic listening and helping clients explore their feelings at their own pace. This approach is useful for a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationship and parenting difficulties, and finding greater self-understanding.

For work with children she incorporates experiential play therapy, which uses age-appropriate activities and play to help younger clients express emotions and process experiences that are hard to put into words. This method supports attachment issues, behavioural challenges and emotional regulation in a developmentally sensitive way.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process and Deborah collaborates with each client to determine what fits best. She considers the client’s needs, goals and preferences and adjusts techniques over time so therapy remains relevant and effective.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility - sessions can be arranged as video calls, phone conversations, live chat or text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, school and family commitments and can increase access for clients who live further away or have limited mobility. Licensed professionals and therapists can use these formats to maintain continuity of care and to tailor contact to each client’s circumstances.