Douglas Barbieri, BACP

Douglas Barbieri is a counsellor registered with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has six years of professional experience. He works with people dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma and abuse, grief, low self-esteem and depression. Douglas speaks English and Portuguese and accepts clients in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Douglas takes a straightforward approach in sessions. He helps people name what feels overwhelming and looks at how emotions and patterns influence decisions. Conversations often focus on increasing self-awareness and noticing habitual thoughts. He uses clear techniques to challenge negative automatic thoughts and to offer different perspectives on difficult situations.

He draws on Client-Centred Therapy to follow the client's concerns and Mindfulness Therapy to develop present-moment awareness. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is used to map connections between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and to test small changes outside sessions. Emotionally-Focused Therapy ideas are used when feelings and relationship patterns are central.

Douglas also supports people facing issues such as addiction, bereavement, body image concerns, chronic illness, attachment and communication problems, and feelings of emptiness or guilt. He describes therapy as a place to examine hidden personality traits and try out different responses to recurring problems.

Practical steps are a part of his work. Sessions can include exercises to shift unhelpful thoughts, mindfulness practices and exploring past experiences that shape current reactions. He encourages people to reflect between sessions and bring real-life situations to talk through in later meetings.

How therapeutic approaches translate to online work