Bernadette Wilkie, NCPS

Bernadette Wilkie is a counsellor who helps people manage stress, anxiety, addiction, grief and depression. She supports those facing relationship strains, parenting pressures, low self-esteem and difficulties with sleep. She also works with people dealing with anger, work and career worries, and the ongoing effects of trauma and abuse.

Her approach begins by listening closely to each person's story and strengths. She believes clients are the experts on their own lives and uses that perspective to shape practical steps. Sessions focus on everyday thoughts and habits that get in the way, and on small changes that make daily life feel more manageable.

Bernadette draws on client-centred ways of working to keep conversations focused on what matters to the client. She also uses elements of dialectical behaviour therapy, which can help with emotional regulation and distress tolerance. Motivational interviewing techniques are used when people want to change habits or address addictive behaviours.

She has 10 years of professional experience and is registered with NCPS. That background informs a calm, direct style aimed at helping people set realistic goals and try new coping strategies. Bernadette aims to make each session practical and down to earth.

If you are considering therapy, she asks you to think about small first steps. Many clients start with one concern and then widen the focus as trust grows. To begin, use the Start Therapy button and complete the short matching questionnaire to arrange a suitable time.

How her approaches work in online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy focuses on listening and understanding. The counsellor follows the person's lead, reflects what they say, and helps them find their own solutions. This approach is useful for people who need space to make sense of their feelings and priorities.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, or DBT, teaches practical skills for managing strong emotions and reducing impulsive reactions. It includes techniques for tolerating distress and improving relationships, which can help with anger, self-harm urges, or intense anxiety.

Motivational Interviewing is a collaborative way to explore readiness for change. It helps people weighing up habits such as substance use or other patterns to find internal reasons to change and set realistic steps forward.

Deciding which approach to use is a shared process. The counsellor will discuss options with the client and pick methods that suit their needs, goals and comfort. That choice can change over time as goals shift.

If you are thinking about online work, check the current session options before booking so you know what formats are offered. Online therapy can make it easier to fit appointments into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow focused sessions from a quiet place. Different formats can also suit shorter check-ins or longer, more in-depth work depending on what the client needs.