Deborah Gallagher, BACP, NCPS

Deborah Gallagher is a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and an accredited member of the National Counselling and Psychotherapy Society (NCPS). She began practising counselling in 2014 and brings ten years of experience supporting people through relationship difficulties, experiences of abuse, motivation and confidence challenges, and struggles with anxiety and depression. She has also worked with the aftermath of domestic abuse through volunteering with a local charity.

Deborah values learning about each person she works with and approaches therapy from the belief that the client is the expert on their own story. She focuses on identifying strengths and practical steps that can make a tangible difference, with the view that small changes often lead to meaningful improvements in day-to-day life and wellbeing.

Trained in integrative and pluralistic counselling, Deborah draws on a range of theories and tools to tailor her work to each client’s situation and goals. Sessions may centre on present difficulties or explore past experiences depending on what best supports the client. She aims to provide a compassionate, nonjudgemental space and to build a productive therapeutic relationship in which people feel comfortable sharing and working toward their aims.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Client-Centered Therapy emphasises the person’s own perspective and inner resources. The therapist provides an accepting, empathic space to explore self-esteem, relationship patterns and life transitions, helping the individual to identify strengths and goals.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) focuses on the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses practical techniques to challenge unhelpful patterns. CBT is often used to address anxiety, low mood and behaviours that get in the way of daily functioning.

Psychodynamic Therapy explores how past experiences and relational patterns influence present behaviour and emotions. This approach can be helpful for understanding long-standing issues such as attachment difficulties, repeating relationship patterns or the emotional impact of earlier experiences.

Finding the right approach is part of the therapeutic process. Deborah will work collaboratively with each person to determine which methods and pace best match their needs, goals and preferences, adapting the plan as progress unfolds.

Online therapy offers flexible ways to work with registered professionals and therapists, including video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. These options make it easier to fit sessions around work, caregiving or geographical distance, and can support continuity of care for people living in different locations.