Debra Laking

Debra Laking is a BACP counsellor practising in the United Kingdom with four years of experience. She works with stress, anxiety, relationship difficulties, grief, self-esteem concerns and coping with life changes, including a focus on life purpose.

Her style is integrative and humanistic, which means she draws on several approaches to suit each person. Sessions are conversational and practical. She listens to what matters to the client and uses techniques from approaches such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy when helpful.

Debra also supports people dealing with ageing and geriatric issues, attachment concerns, autism and Asperger syndrome, cancer, caregiver stress, commitment worries, communication and control issues, divorce and separation, first responder stress, forgiveness, guilt and shame, hospice and end-of-life matters, and isolation or loneliness. These areas are woven into the work by addressing day-to-day problems and decisions that get in the way of feeling steady.

In a typical session she helps people name what is getting in the way, notice unhelpful patterns, and try small changes to see what works. She uses client-centred listening alongside structured methods such as CBT and solution-focused steps to build practical skills.

People can expect clear conversation, short-term strategies and ongoing reflection. Debra encourages clients to outline their priorities and tests approaches together so the work responds to real-life needs rather than abstract ideas.

How Debra uses ACT, CBT and client-centred work online

Debra draws on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice unhelpful thoughts and commit to actions that reflect their values. ACT is often used for anxiety, stress and decisions about what matters next.

She also uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to identify thinking patterns and test practical changes. CBT gives clear steps and experiments to try between sessions, which can help with worry, low mood and confidence issues.

Client-centred work forms the foundation of her sessions. This means she listens closely and shapes the pace to the person's needs while combining structured approaches when useful. Deciding which approach to use is collaborative; the therapist and client review what helps and adjust the plan together.

Session formats are not specified in the profile, so check the current options before booking. Online work can make it easier to fit therapy into busy weeks, allow shorter check-ins when needed, and reduce travel time. These practical benefits can help maintain continuity of sessions while testing which methods suit everyday life.