- Compassion focused
- Human centred
- Trauma informed
About Nicola
Nicola Spence is a counsellor who helps people deal with stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression and life changes. She also works with issues such as addiction, relationship and intimacy concerns, parenting strain, sleep and eating difficulties, and ADHD. Nicola offers a compassionate, person-centred way of working and respects each person’s life story and strengths.
Her practice is human-centred and compassion focused, and she describes her work as trauma informed. Nicola does not use symptom lists or diagnostic labels and is upfront that this approach may not suit everyone. She aims to create a shared understanding of what brings someone to therapy before choosing how to proceed.
Sessions begin by exploring the presenting difficulties and mapping them onto life history and current patterns. Nicola helps people make links between past experiences and present struggles, then supports them in choosing small, practical steps forward. Her style is collaborative and empowering rather than prescriptive.
Nicola draws on several therapeutic approaches when they fit the person and the goal. She uses elements from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Attachment-Based work, Client-Centred practice, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy. These inform how she listens, reflects and plans next steps.
She is credentialed with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, often abbreviated as BACP, and has three years of professional experience in the United Kingdom. Nicola offers sessions in English and asks people to confirm session options before booking.
How Nicola's approaches work online
Nicola uses elements of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Attachment-Based work alongside Client-Centred practice. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) focuses on helping people notice difficult thoughts and feelings and commit to actions that match their values, which can help with anxiety, low mood and motivation. Attachment-Based work looks at how early relationships shape current patterns and helps people develop safer ways of relating to themselves and others. Client-Centred practice puts the person's experience at the heart of the session, using warm, non-judgemental listening to explore what matters most.Finding the right approach is treated as a joint process. Nicola will talk with each person about their goals, preferences and what feels most useful, then try methods that suit those needs. She aims to adjust the way she works if something is not helping, so the plan evolves with the person.
Practical benefits of online work include fitting sessions into a busy week and reducing travel time. Because session formats are not specified in the biography, please confirm the current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to attend more consistent sessions and to bring real moments from daily life into therapy, while still keeping the focus on the person's goals and what they want to change.
Areas of expertise
Also works with
Additional focus areas
Therapeutic approaches
Experience
3+ years
Credentials
United Kingdom
Languages
English
Frequently asked questions
What concerns does Nicola support?
She supports a wide range of difficulties including stress, anxiety, grief, low self-esteem, depression, addictions, and issues around intimacy and relationships.
How would she describe her therapy style?
Nicola works in a human-centred, compassion-focused way and describes her work as trauma informed. She aims to build a shared understanding and collaborate on next steps.
What background does she bring to her practice?
She has three years of professional experience and says she has taken the step of therapy herself, which informs how she relates to clients.
What credentials and location are listed?
Nicola is registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and practises in the United Kingdom.
Which languages are supported for sessions?
Sessions are offered in English only.
Can people from other countries work with her?
International clients are not currently accepted; people based in the United Kingdom should check session details when enquiring.
How are fees and billing handled?
Costs vary by location and therapist availability, and sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.
What should I do to begin therapy?
Start by selecting the Start Therapy button, complete the short matching questionnaire, and then schedule sessions according to the therapist's availability.