Esther Enaruwe, BACP

Esther Enaruwe knows firsthand how daunting the first steps of therapy can feel. She once delayed engaging with counselling for nearly three years, driven by fears of being misunderstood, judged, or exposed when revisiting difficult memories. In her own first session she remembers feeling overwhelmed, physically nervous, and uncertain about speaking with a stranger found online - questions about mutual fit and the safety of opening up were very real for her. Esther uses that personal experience to empathise with people who hesitate to seek help and to normalise the doubts that often stand in the way of change.

Her perspective is shaped by the practical shifts counselling has experienced in recent years. The coronavirus pandemic accelerated the move toward remote work, and Esther adapted to offering both face-to-face and remote sessions. She appreciates the convenience that technology can provide, allowing people to meet for therapy from the comfort of their home or even from a car when that suits them. This flexibility aims to reduce some of the barriers that previously made attending sessions difficult.

Esther holds BACP, which refers to membership in the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. That background informs her approach to supporting people who want to move toward greater self-care, self-awareness, and wellbeing. She encourages clients to begin their journey when they feel ready, offering approachable, adaptable options to make starting therapy as straightforward as possible.

Therapeutic approaches and remote support

Esther draws on client-centered therapy to place the client at the heart of the work - this approach emphasizes empathy, active listening, and supporting a person's own capacity for growth. It is useful for building self-awareness, addressing relationship and self-esteem concerns, and creating a non-judgemental space to explore feelings.

She also uses cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which helps people identify and reframe unhelpful thought patterns and behaviours. CBT is often applied to issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress, and it includes practical strategies that can be practiced between sessions.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process, and Esther works collaboratively with each person to determine what fits best based on their needs, goals, and preferences. She will discuss options, try different methods when appropriate, and adapt the work as progress and priorities evolve.

Online therapy offers practical benefits for many people - sessions by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging can make it easier to fit therapy into a busy life, reduce travel time, and increase access for those living further away. These formats maintain the therapeutic relationship while offering flexibility, so clients and licensed professionals can focus on the work that matters most.