Barbara Cross, NCPS

Barbara Cross is a counsellor registered with the NCPS who draws on nine years of practice to help people facing stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. She works in a collaborative, flexible way so sessions fit the person rather than a single method. Barbara also supports those dealing with relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting strains, career stress and the emotional aftermath of trauma and abuse.

Her approach combines client-centred work with practical tools from cognitive behavioural therapy. That means conversations that centre on understanding a person's experience, alongside techniques to spot unhelpful thinking and try different behaviours. She also uses hypnotherapy and motivational interviewing when these can add value to the process.

Barbara describes her style as pluralistic - she adapts what she does to the needs in the room. She aims to help people build self-compassion, clearer personal boundaries and more confidence in decision-making. This often includes practical steps to manage mood, anxiety and stressful life changes.

People looking after others will find she recognises caregiver strain and the complex emotions it brings. Aging and geriatric issues are also listed among her focus areas for those wanting support around later-life concerns.

Sessions are shaped around each person's goals and pace. Barbara encourages honest, straightforward conversations and works to create a steady process for people to understand patterns, try new responses and move forward.

How Barbara's approaches translate to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and reflecting what matters to you. Online sessions can still centre on your thoughts and feelings, giving time to be heard and to build understanding. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is about spotting thought patterns and trying new behaviours; it lends itself to clear exercises and homework that can be discussed in remote sessions. Hypnotherapy uses guided relaxation and imagery to access different ways of experiencing thoughts and feelings, which can be offered online when appropriate.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Barbara will discuss your goals, preferences and how you respond to different methods, and then decide together what to try. That collaborative planning means you shape the focus and pace of therapy rather than being handed a fixed programme.

Online therapy can make it easier to fit sessions around daily life, reducing travel time and allowing regular check-ins from wherever you are. Different formats may suit different people, so please confirm current session options before booking. The emphasis is on practical ways to keep therapy useful and workable alongside family, work and caring responsibilities.