Victoria Mawdsley, BACP

Victoria Mawdsley is a counsellor who aims to help people feeling overwhelmed by stress, anxiety, grief or major life changes. She writes in a calm, straightforward way and focuses on what each person needs in the moment. Vicky offers a relaxed, person-centred style that helps people talk through difficult feelings without pressure.

She has three years of clinical practice and has run her private practice, VJM Counselling, for nearly two years. Before qualifying as a counsellor she worked for more than 20 years in health and social care as a health care assistant, mainly in dementia care. That experience informs how she relates to people living with long-term health conditions or caring responsibilities.

In sessions she blends a client-centred way of working with elements of cognitive approaches, mindfulness and psychoeducation. This means conversations are guided by the person’s concerns while also offering practical tools to try between meetings. She explains techniques in plain language and keeps the pace gentle.

People contact Vicky for help with panic, social anxiety, trauma and post-traumatic stress, workplace strain, isolation and the emotional impact of chronic pain or illness. She also supports those dealing with bereavement and domestic violence-related distress.

Her approach is collaborative and down-to-earth. Vicky encourages small, realistic steps and aims to make therapy feel manageable for people juggling care duties or health issues.

How client-centred work adapts to online therapy

Client-Centred Therapy places the person at the heart of sessions and focuses on understanding and acceptance. This approach helps when emotions feel confusing or overwhelming, such as after bereavement, during chronic illness or while managing ongoing stress. Sessions give space to talk and to be heard without judgement.

Vicky also draws on simple mindfulness practices and practical psychoeducation. Mindfulness exercises help people notice stress and anxiety in the body, while psychoeducation offers plain explanations and step-by-step coping ideas. These approaches suit people who want both reflective conversation and hands-on techniques to try between meetings.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. The counsellor will talk through your needs, goals and preferences and adapt methods over time. This is a collaborative process and adjustments are made if something is not helpful.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm current session options before booking. Many people find remote or mixed ways of meeting make it easier to fit therapy into a busy week, reduce travel, and allow a quick check-in when life is hectic. Different formats can help with quieter conversations, shorter check-ins, or meeting without needing to be on camera, depending on what suits you.