Debra Basham, BACP

Debra Basham built a long and successful career in business before retraining as a coach and counsellor. She spent more than twenty years developing people and teams, work that earned recognition such as a place in Insider Business Magazine's Inaugural Women of Influence in 2015 and a European Call Centre Award. Her professional path included international roles in places such as America, India and Australia, and she was widely acknowledged as an effective mentor and coach.

Following several life-changing events, she made a deliberate career change, leaving the corporate ladder to study at university for three years and qualify as a coach and counsellor. She specialises in career and life coaching and practices person-centred counselling, bringing experience from both corporate development and therapeutic training to her work. She has five years of experience practising as a coach and counsellor.

During her studies she served as a mental health champion in a corporate setting, supporting senior managers and directors, and volunteered as a Cruise grief volunteer. She holds memberships in professional bodies including the Association of Coaching, the European Mentoring and Coaching Council, and the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy).

Therapeutic Approaches and Tailored Online Care

Debra Basham integrates client-centred therapy, motivational interviewing, and solution-focused techniques into her online practice. Client-centred therapy focuses on creating a respectful, non-judgemental space in which the client leads the conversation and the therapist reflects and supports - this approach suits people seeking deeper self-understanding and emotional support. Motivational interviewing is a conversational style that helps people explore their own motivations for change and resolve ambivalence - it can be useful for career transitions, behaviour change, or overcoming barriers to goals. Solution-focused therapy concentrates on identifying practical steps and small achievable goals, helping clients move forward when they want clear, action-oriented progress.

Choosing the right approach is a collaborative process. Debra works with each person to understand their needs, goals, and preferences, and she adapts techniques so the work feels relevant and manageable for the individual.

Online sessions - including video calls, phone appointments, live chat, and text-based messaging - offer flexibility for people juggling work, family, or travel. These options make it easier to maintain continuity of care and to access therapy from different locations, while allowing therapists and clients to focus on practical strategies and meaningful conversation.