Helen Murphy, ACA, PACFA

Helen Murphy is an ACA counsellor and PACFA-registered practitioner with ten years of experience. She offers a warm, non-judgemental space where people can talk about what is worrying them and work toward small, practical changes.

Helen helps people who are dealing with stress, anxiety, low self-esteem and depression. She also supports those coping with ADHD, relationship strain, grief, burnout and life transitions. Sessions focus on clear steps clients can try between meetings, so progress feels tangible.

Her style is collaborative and strengths-based. She listens closely to each person's story, helps clarify what matters most, and then works with them to find workable strategies. The aim is to build confidence and better day-to-day habits around thoughts and behaviour.

Helen has spent a decade working with adults and young people across a wide range of concerns, including attachment issues, adoption and foster care, communication problems, and body image. That experience informs a practical approach to problem solving in sessions.

People who meet Helen can expect straightforward conversations and clear tools to practise outside sessions. She encourages steady progress rather than quick fixes, and supports clients to make lasting changes that fit their life and values.

Practical approaches for online support

Helen uses evidence-based therapeutic techniques that focus on thoughts and everyday habits to help people manage emotions and change patterns. One approach involves noticing and testing unhelpful thoughts - identifying thoughts that get in the way and practising small experiments to see what helps. This supports anxiety, low mood and self-esteem work. Another commonly used method focuses on developing everyday routines and coping skills - simple, repeatable actions that make stressful moments easier to manage and reduce overwhelm.

Finding the right way of working is part of the process. The therapist will talk through options with each person and decide together what approaches and pacing fit their needs and goals. That collaborative planning helps make sessions feel relevant from the first meeting.

If you are considering online therapy, check the session formats before booking so you know what is offered. Online work can make it easier to fit counselling into a busy life, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins on difficult days. Discuss format and scheduling during the matching process to make sure sessions will suit your routine and daily commitments.