Francesca Whitby, BACP

Francesca Whitby (she/her) is a person-centred counsellor who offers a warm, non-judgemental space where people are encouraged to be themselves. She holds BACP, an accreditation for counselling professionals in the United Kingdom, and draws on that professional framework to guide her practice.

Francesca combines the listening and empathy of person-centred work with practical Cognitive Behavioral Therapy tools, so sessions can include both open exploration and strategies to cope in day-to-day life. She listens attentively and will gently challenge unhelpful patterns while supporting clients to find their own answers.

Her work often supports people who are feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck, those struggling with self-worth or overthinking, and people experiencing difficulties in relationships. She also works with people processing trauma, including domestic abuse, and with individuals facing panic or agoraphobia or who are trying to figure themselves out.

Described by colleagues as warm, honest, and down to earth, Francesca helps people explore what is happening for them, identify the patterns behind it, and build ways of coping that promote greater control and confidence. She places high value on the therapeutic relationship and prioritises making people feel comfortable and accepted. When someone feels lost or overwhelmed, Francesca supports a step-by-step approach to move forward together.

Client-Centered and CBT approaches for online counselling

Client-Centered Therapy focuses on creating an accepting, non-judgemental space where the person leads the conversation and the therapist offers empathy and understanding. This approach helps people explore feelings, clarify identity, and build self-worth, making it useful for relationship issues, self-esteem concerns, and processing difficult experiences.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) teaches practical skills to identify and change unhelpful thinking and behaviour patterns. CBT techniques can be effective for managing anxiety, panic, overthinking, and everyday coping strategies, by giving people tools to respond differently to stressful situations.

Finding the right therapeutic approach is part of the process. Francesca works collaboratively with each person to consider their needs, goals, and preferences and will adapt methods over time to find the best fit. This collaborative stance helps tailor sessions to what works for the individual.

Online therapy with Francesca is offered by video call, phone, live chat, or text-based messaging, which supports flexibility and makes it easier to fit therapy into busy lives. These options allow licensed professionals to provide consistent support in formats that suit different comfort levels and schedules.