Profile / United Kingdom

Nicola Barnard, BACP

United Kingdom

BACP counsellor - anxiety and stress

Cognitive behavioural techniques
Acceptance and commitment work
Support for grief

About Nicola

Nicola Barnard is a BACP counsellor with four years' experience based in the United Kingdom. She helps people manage stress and anxiety, cope with grief, and work on self-esteem and motivation. She also supports those dealing with depression, relationship issues, and the effects of trauma and abuse.

Nicola uses straightforward, practical methods in sessions. She focuses on spotting unhelpful thoughts and habits, and trying different ways of responding. That includes talking through feelings, trying short exercises during or between sessions, and checking what works in daily life.

She describes work with neurodiverse people and adults, and values clear, calm conversations. Sessions aim to review what has felt difficult, set simple goals, and test small changes that can make daily tasks easier. Nicola also addresses parenting strain, career stress, and compassion fatigue alongside emotional concerns.

Her approach draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) alongside Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Attachment-Based ideas, Client-Centred methods, and techniques from Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). These are used as practical tools rather than labels, and chosen to match the person and the problem.

Language of work is English and Nicola works with people located in the United Kingdom. The first session is used to clarify goals and agree practical next steps.

How Nicola uses structured approaches in online work

Nicola draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help people spot and change unhelpful thoughts and routines. CBT involves short practical tasks, keeping simple records of thoughts and testing small experiments in everyday life to see what changes. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is used to clarify values and build actions that matter to the client, helping people accept difficult feelings while committing to chosen steps. Attachment-Based ideas guide conversations about relationship patterns and how early bonds can affect current reactions and trust.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. Nicola treats this as a collaborative task - she will discuss the different methods, explain why one might suit the current problem, and agree which techniques to try first based on the person's goals and preferences.

Session formats are not specified in the supplied profile, so please confirm current online options before booking. Online work can make it easier to schedule short check-ins, fit sessions around work or caregiving, and reduce travel time. It can also allow practical exercises to be tried in the person's usual environment, and flexible timings can help maintain momentum between appointments.

Areas of expertise

Primary focus

Stress, AnxietyRelationship issuesGrief Self esteem Depression

Also works with

Family conflictsTrauma and abuseParenting issuesAnger managementCareer difficultiesBipolar disorderCoping with life changesCoachingCompassion fatigueADHD

Additional focus areas

AbandonmentAdoption and foster careAging and geriatric issuesAntisocial personalityAttachment issuesAutism and Asperger SyndromeAvoidant personalityBlended family issuesBody imageCancerCaregiver issues and stressChronic pain, illness, and disabilityCo-morbidityCodependencyCommitment issuesCommunication problemsControl issuesCoping with natural or human-caused disasterDependent personalityDissociationDivorce and separationDomestic violenceEmptinessFamily problemsFatherhood issuesFertility issuesFirst responder issuesForgivenessGuilt and shameHoardingHospice and end-of-life counselingImpulsivityInfidelityIntellectual disabilityIsolation / lonelinessJealousyLife purpose Men's issuesMidlife crisisVeteran and Armed Forces IssuesMoney and financial issuesMood disordersNarcissismObsessions, compulsions, and OCD Panic disorder and panic attacksParanoiaPersonality disordersPhobiasPostpartum depressionPost-traumatic stressSeasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)Self-harmSelf-loveSexual assault and abuseSexualitySocial anxiety and phobiaTraumatic brain injuryWomen's issues Workplace issues Young adult issues

Therapeutic approaches

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)Attachment-Based TherapyClient-Centered TherapyCognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)Mindfulness TherapyMotivational InterviewingPsychodynamic TherapySolution-Focused TherapyTrauma-Focused TherapyInternal Family Systems

Experience

4+ years

Listed in

United Kingdom

Languages

English

Frequently asked questions

What kinds of problems does Nicola help with?

She works with stress, anxiety, grief, depression, relationship issues, self-esteem, motivation, trauma and related concerns listed in her profile.

How does she use Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?

She uses CBT to identify unhelpful thoughts and habits, test new responses, and set small behavioural steps to try between sessions.

What experience does she have?

Nicola has four years' counselling experience and has worked with neurodiverse people and adults.

What are her credentials and location?

She is registered with the BACP and practises in the United Kingdom.

Which languages are supported?

Sessions are offered in English.

Can people outside the UK work with her?

International clients are not currently accepted; she works with people located in the United Kingdom.

How much do sessions cost?

Cost varies with location; sessions use a subscription that can be cancelled at any time.

How do I begin a first session?

Select the See online therapy options button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and schedule a first session.

Details come from information the counsellor supplied to BetterHelp. A registration can be checked with the body that issued it.

Online talk therapy is not emergency care. If you are not safe, use the crisis numbers.

Back to all therapists