Dorcas Upshall, BACP

Dorcas Upshall places each client's goals at the centre of her therapeutic work, collaborating to help people become more authentically themselves, to make sense of current difficulties, or to deepen self-understanding. When pressures from life, work, family, money, anxiety, or stress begin to feel overwhelming, she offers a contained space to explore feelings, patterns, and possible changes.

Working together, Dorcas helps clients notice thought patterns that may be limiting, identify behaviours they wish to modify, and process past experiences that continue to affect daily life. The relationship in therapy is emphasised as the foundation for developing practical skills, emotional confidence, and greater resilience. She draws on approaches that support clients in building tools for coping, navigating relationships, and making meaningful life changes.

Dorcas has worked across domestic abuse services, women's centres, school pastoral care, LGBTQ+ charities, addiction and recovery settings, and special needs provisions for adults and young people, and she has taught for over 10 years. She is kink-aware and comfortable working with people in a variety of relationship structures. She holds BACP, which refers to the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and indicates a recognised professional affiliation. Based in the United Kingdom, she accepts international clients and supports a wide range of concerns including stress, anxiety, relationships, trauma and abuse, addictions, grief, eating and body image issues, self-esteem, ADHD, and related challenges.

Therapeutic approaches and online care

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an accepting, non-judgmental space where the client leads the pace and topics of sessions. It helps people explore their feelings and values and is often useful for issues around identity, relationships, and self-esteem.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) works by identifying and gently challenging unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours, then developing practical strategies to reduce distress. CBT can be effective for anxiety, depression, stress management, and coping with life changes.

Internal Family Systems views the mind as made up of different parts and invites clients to understand and harmonise those internal voices. This approach can help with trauma, shame, addictive behaviours, and complex emotional patterns.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Dorcas will work collaboratively with each person to determine which methods best fit their needs, goals, and preferences, and may combine elements from different models as appropriate.

Online therapy offers flexibility and accessibility through video calls, phone sessions, live chat, and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit therapy into busy schedules, to connect from different locations, and to continue care when in-person appointments are not possible. Licensed professionals can use these formats to deliver the same active, supportive work as in-person therapy, adapted to each client's circumstances.