Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Counselling in Oxford
As a Clinical Psychologist, CBT Therapist and Coach with over 15 years' experience using cognitive-behavioural, acceptance and commitment and mindfulness-based approaches, I combine psychological therapy with effective coaching strategies to help clients to overcome difficulties, improve their mental well-being and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
If you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed or dissatisfied with your current situation, I provide transformational coaching and therapy to help you to move forward with confidence and clarity. You may feel lost and lack a sense of direction and focus in your life. Or perhaps you have a clear goal, but you are struggling to overcome obstacles and feel stuck. You might recognise that you are locked in a negative mindset or that fear of failure is stopping you from moving forward. Perhaps you would like to improve your confidence and build resilience but you feel that procrastination, perfectionism or imposter syndrome are holding you back.
As a Clinical Psychologist, CBT Therapist and Coach with over 15 years' experience using cognitive-behavioural, acceptance and commitment and mindfulness-based approaches, I combine psychological therapy with effective coaching strategies to help clients to overcome difficulties, improve their mental well-being and thrive in all aspects of their lives.
If you are feeling stuck, overwhelmed or dissatisfied with your current situation, I provide transformational coaching and therapy to help you to move forward with confidence and clarity. You may feel lost and lack a sense of direction and focus in your life. Or perhaps you have a clear goal, but you are struggling to overcome obstacles and feel stuck. You might recognise that you are locked in a negative mindset or that fear of failure is stopping you from moving forward. Perhaps you would like to improve your confidence and build resilience but you feel that procrastination, perfectionism or imposter syndrome are holding you back.
I work with people with a wide range of issues including trauma and abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and low self-esteem. I also support people with self-exploratory work, managing life transitions, stress, burnout, relationship issues, bereavement, and much more. We can focus on immediate issues as well as long-standing patterns, for example in schema therapy. Whether you know what you would like help with, or you are unsure, do get in touch to see if I can help.
I work with people with a wide range of issues including trauma and abuse, PTSD, depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, and low self-esteem. I also support people with self-exploratory work, managing life transitions, stress, burnout, relationship issues, bereavement, and much more. We can focus on immediate issues as well as long-standing patterns, for example in schema therapy. Whether you know what you would like help with, or you are unsure, do get in touch to see if I can help.
Using Schema Therapy, CBT and ACT, I help people understand long-standing patterns, heal from difficult experiences and create lasting change.
If you're the person others rely on, asking for help yourself can feel unfamiliar. You may appear to be coping. You might be successful at work, meeting responsibilities and keeping everything together, but inside you feel exhausted, anxious or stuck in patterns of overthinking, self-criticism or people-pleasing. I help people who are used to pushing through, but who want to understand themselves more deeply and create lasting change. Together, we’ll explore what’s driving these patterns so you can feel calmer, more confident and more like yourself again.
Using Schema Therapy, CBT and ACT, I help people understand long-standing patterns, heal from difficult experiences and create lasting change.
If you're the person others rely on, asking for help yourself can feel unfamiliar. You may appear to be coping. You might be successful at work, meeting responsibilities and keeping everything together, but inside you feel exhausted, anxious or stuck in patterns of overthinking, self-criticism or people-pleasing. I help people who are used to pushing through, but who want to understand themselves more deeply and create lasting change. Together, we’ll explore what’s driving these patterns so you can feel calmer, more confident and more like yourself again.
Compassion, empathy, warm acceptance, non judgemental listening, techniques for you to learn to manage difficult emotions.
Adults, Children, and families. Suffering anxiety, depression, effects of trauma or just want to review some difficult years?
Compassion, empathy, warm acceptance, non judgemental listening, techniques for you to learn to manage difficult emotions.
Adults, Children, and families. Suffering anxiety, depression, effects of trauma or just want to review some difficult years?
I also often incorporate Cognitive Behavioural, Acceptance and Commitment, and Compassion Focused Therapy to help understand and change relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected or just want to understand yourself better, therapy can offer a safe, supportive space to make sense of your experiences, build confidence and explore how to change things in your life that feel like they are holding you back. It’s not about being judged or “fixed.” It's a collaborative process where we'll work together to better understand your relationship with yourself and others, identify and break unhelpful patterns like people-pleasing or avoidance, and build meaningful, sustainable strategies to help you feel more fulfilled and in control.
I also often incorporate Cognitive Behavioural, Acceptance and Commitment, and Compassion Focused Therapy to help understand and change relationships between thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, disconnected or just want to understand yourself better, therapy can offer a safe, supportive space to make sense of your experiences, build confidence and explore how to change things in your life that feel like they are holding you back. It’s not about being judged or “fixed.” It's a collaborative process where we'll work together to better understand your relationship with yourself and others, identify and break unhelpful patterns like people-pleasing or avoidance, and build meaningful, sustainable strategies to help you feel more fulfilled and in control.
I have 13 years experience supporting people from diverse backgrounds with varying mental health & interpersonal difficulties. I currently work part-time as a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in a complex needs NHS hospital & part-time in private practice.
Seeking and engaging with therapy can be a challenging process, therefore I always aim to deliver a warm, compassionate, non-judgemental & collaborative therapy space to support you to achieve your goals. Together, we will develop a treatment plan that is based on evidence, driven by our shared understanding of your difficulties and tailored to your individual needs.
I have 13 years experience supporting people from diverse backgrounds with varying mental health & interpersonal difficulties. I currently work part-time as a Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist in a complex needs NHS hospital & part-time in private practice.
Seeking and engaging with therapy can be a challenging process, therefore I always aim to deliver a warm, compassionate, non-judgemental & collaborative therapy space to support you to achieve your goals. Together, we will develop a treatment plan that is based on evidence, driven by our shared understanding of your difficulties and tailored to your individual needs.
Whether you're navigating a toddler's tantrums, a teenager's anxiety, or the quiet overwhelm of parenting under pressure — I'm here to help with practical, flexible, evidence-informed support.
Whether you're navigating a toddler's tantrums, a teenager's anxiety, or the quiet overwhelm of parenting under pressure — I'm here to help with practical, flexible, evidence-informed support.
My core training is CBT at degree level (BSc Hons), with further training in mindfulness-based therapy, ACT, and person-centred work.
Many of the people I work with arrive having carried something for too long. Senior professionals running on empty, whose sleep and sense of self have started to fray. Women with PMDD — the condition I wrote and published a book on — who have spent years being told what they experience is just "normal PMS". People living with the after-effects of trauma that never properly settled. What they share is being capable, articulate adults who have nonetheless reached the point of needing help. I work with all of that — at the pace your system can tolerate, with rigour, and without pretending therapy is a cure.
My core training is CBT at degree level (BSc Hons), with further training in mindfulness-based therapy, ACT, and person-centred work.
Many of the people I work with arrive having carried something for too long. Senior professionals running on empty, whose sleep and sense of self have started to fray. Women with PMDD — the condition I wrote and published a book on — who have spent years being told what they experience is just "normal PMS". People living with the after-effects of trauma that never properly settled. What they share is being capable, articulate adults who have nonetheless reached the point of needing help. I work with all of that — at the pace your system can tolerate, with rigour, and without pretending therapy is a cure.
Do you suffer from overwhelming feelings? I am an experienced integrative counsellor working with trauma - whether from conflict, abuse or other difficult life events. I am compassionate and my approach is warm, empathic and accepting. I work to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you feel able to open up and explore your life. I have experience working with clients who have complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and OCD as well as those with life problems due to bereavement, illness, job stress, parenting, difficult relationships and low self-esteem.
Do you suffer from overwhelming feelings? I am an experienced integrative counsellor working with trauma - whether from conflict, abuse or other difficult life events. I am compassionate and my approach is warm, empathic and accepting. I work to create a safe and non-judgmental space where you feel able to open up and explore your life. I have experience working with clients who have complex PTSD, anxiety, depression and OCD as well as those with life problems due to bereavement, illness, job stress, parenting, difficult relationships and low self-esteem.
People often come to therapy when a difficulty has started to affect how they feel, relate, work, or see themselves. Alongside my private practice, I work in the facial palsy field and draw on experience in craniofacial and facial palsy services, as well as staff support. As an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and CBT Therapist, I have a particular interest in visible difference, health-related difficulties, and supporting NHS and healthcare staff affected by workplace stress, burnout, moral stress, pressure and return-to-work concerns.
People often come to therapy when a difficulty has started to affect how they feel, relate, work, or see themselves. Alongside my private practice, I work in the facial palsy field and draw on experience in craniofacial and facial palsy services, as well as staff support. As an HCPC-registered Clinical Psychologist and CBT Therapist, I have a particular interest in visible difference, health-related difficulties, and supporting NHS and healthcare staff affected by workplace stress, burnout, moral stress, pressure and return-to-work concerns.
ACT is a very active form of sport psychology, learning skills to handle difficult thoughts and feelings so they have less influence over you.
Sometimes we get stuck - in our sport and our lives. Maybe you are struggling with self esteem or performance anxiety, not sure what direction to take your career, injured or lacking motivation, facing a setback or caught up in difficult thoughts and feelings that stop you from performing to your best. Whether you are just starting out in life or an elite performer wanting to achieve the last 1%, you can learn practical and effective ways to get unstuck.
ACT is a very active form of sport psychology, learning skills to handle difficult thoughts and feelings so they have less influence over you.
Sometimes we get stuck - in our sport and our lives. Maybe you are struggling with self esteem or performance anxiety, not sure what direction to take your career, injured or lacking motivation, facing a setback or caught up in difficult thoughts and feelings that stop you from performing to your best. Whether you are just starting out in life or an elite performer wanting to achieve the last 1%, you can learn practical and effective ways to get unstuck.
I am particularly passionate about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ( ACT) to help my clients live a more fulfilling life by doing more of what matters most to them personally by using techniques to overcome thoughts or other issues in the way.
I'm Owen, a Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years’ experience in the NHS.
We all go through tougher chapters from time to time and can get caught up struggling with stress, anxiety or low mood. Sometimes we need support to navigate problems in relationships or the emotional impact of physical illness, ageing or loss. I take a compassionate and collaborative approach to help my clients deal with such issues, aiming to empower them to develop skills that they can draw upon for the rest of their lives.
I work in partnership with clients from our first contact in order to tailor my approach to suit your needs and preferences.
I am particularly passionate about Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ( ACT) to help my clients live a more fulfilling life by doing more of what matters most to them personally by using techniques to overcome thoughts or other issues in the way.
I'm Owen, a Clinical Psychologist with over 10 years’ experience in the NHS.
We all go through tougher chapters from time to time and can get caught up struggling with stress, anxiety or low mood. Sometimes we need support to navigate problems in relationships or the emotional impact of physical illness, ageing or loss. I take a compassionate and collaborative approach to help my clients deal with such issues, aiming to empower them to develop skills that they can draw upon for the rest of their lives.
I work in partnership with clients from our first contact in order to tailor my approach to suit your needs and preferences.
I have a qualification in Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) but also have completed training in a variety of ways of working such as ACT, Schema therapy and Counselling.
Firstly, id like to congratulate you for getting this far on getting help with your difficulties, this can be a scary first step!
As your therapist, I will take time to know you as a person and work together with you to make changes with nothing but encouragement (even if things dont go to plan). I'll celebrate the wins with you, big and small.
I will listen to your perspectives and experience without judgement in order to get to know all of you as a person. Then, ill work together with you to plan putting changes into place to interrupt old and unhelpful cycles of thinking and behaving.
I have a qualification in Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT) but also have completed training in a variety of ways of working such as ACT, Schema therapy and Counselling.
Firstly, id like to congratulate you for getting this far on getting help with your difficulties, this can be a scary first step!
As your therapist, I will take time to know you as a person and work together with you to make changes with nothing but encouragement (even if things dont go to plan). I'll celebrate the wins with you, big and small.
I will listen to your perspectives and experience without judgement in order to get to know all of you as a person. Then, ill work together with you to plan putting changes into place to interrupt old and unhelpful cycles of thinking and behaving.
My ideal client is honest enough to acknowledge their issues and brave enough to voice them in the counselling room. The ability to ask for help when needed is an important component of a successful counselling relationships
My ideal client is honest enough to acknowledge their issues and brave enough to voice them in the counselling room. The ability to ask for help when needed is an important component of a successful counselling relationships
Often, individual difficulties are accompanied by the challenges of daily life, which make each person’s experience different and their therapeutic needs unique. Through short or long term therapy, I aim to support meaningful change in areas you would like to work on, with an understanding of the wider picture of how these issues may feature in daily life.
Often, individual difficulties are accompanied by the challenges of daily life, which make each person’s experience different and their therapeutic needs unique. Through short or long term therapy, I aim to support meaningful change in areas you would like to work on, with an understanding of the wider picture of how these issues may feature in daily life.
There can be many reasons why you are seeking out therapy. You may feel like you’re stuck in repetitive cycles of unwanted thoughts and feelings or your getting trapped in the same arguments with your partner. You may be struggling to cope with daily life and this has led to feelings of anxiety, low mood or low self-confidence. I aim to support you to unlock your potential through becoming more self-aware and to support you towards personal growth and change.
There can be many reasons why you are seeking out therapy. You may feel like you’re stuck in repetitive cycles of unwanted thoughts and feelings or your getting trapped in the same arguments with your partner. You may be struggling to cope with daily life and this has led to feelings of anxiety, low mood or low self-confidence. I aim to support you to unlock your potential through becoming more self-aware and to support you towards personal growth and change.
I work primarily with CBT (trained at degree level) alongside MBCT, ACT, and person-centred work, with specialist training in trauma and CBT for Insomnia.
The people who come to us arrive with the full range of adult difficulty — anxiety that has been wearing them down, depression, the after-effects of trauma, relationships that are not working, neurodivergent adults, LGBTQIA+ clients looking for genuinely affirming practice, and senior professionals carrying pressure they cannot put down anywhere else. What our team of more than 90 qualified counsellors and therapists offers is something specific: deliberate matching. You are not assigned to whoever happens to be available. You are matched to the practitioner whose training, specialism, and approach actually fit your needs.
I work primarily with CBT (trained at degree level) alongside MBCT, ACT, and person-centred work, with specialist training in trauma and CBT for Insomnia.
The people who come to us arrive with the full range of adult difficulty — anxiety that has been wearing them down, depression, the after-effects of trauma, relationships that are not working, neurodivergent adults, LGBTQIA+ clients looking for genuinely affirming practice, and senior professionals carrying pressure they cannot put down anywhere else. What our team of more than 90 qualified counsellors and therapists offers is something specific: deliberate matching. You are not assigned to whoever happens to be available. You are matched to the practitioner whose training, specialism, and approach actually fit your needs.
This includes narrative therapy, somatic trauma therapy, third wave CBT approaches (CFT, ACT), and ideas from attachment theory and parts work.
Hi, I'm Katherine. I work as a clinical psychologist offering online psychological therapy sessions. I previously worked in a range of NHS mental health services (primary and secondary care), supporting adults with longstanding mental health difficulties.
I have worked with people who:
- Would like to better understand themselves, their emotions and relationships
- Feel distressed and stuck
- Need a safe space to make sense of significant life events
-Identify as neurodivergent, and looking for ways care for themselves and navigate challenges in life
- Are looking for different ways to manage their physical and emotional health
This includes narrative therapy, somatic trauma therapy, third wave CBT approaches (CFT, ACT), and ideas from attachment theory and parts work.
Hi, I'm Katherine. I work as a clinical psychologist offering online psychological therapy sessions. I previously worked in a range of NHS mental health services (primary and secondary care), supporting adults with longstanding mental health difficulties.
I have worked with people who:
- Would like to better understand themselves, their emotions and relationships
- Feel distressed and stuck
- Need a safe space to make sense of significant life events
-Identify as neurodivergent, and looking for ways care for themselves and navigate challenges in life
- Are looking for different ways to manage their physical and emotional health
I am a Clinical Psychologist registered with the HCPC. I am also a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, with additional training in systemic approaches with AFT, and in Clinical Neuropsychiatry. Alongside my private practice, I have worked within NHS and European public healthcare services since 2019.
I work with adults experiencing anxiety, low mood, trauma, pain, sleep problems, or feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. I often work with people navigating change - whether this follows diagnosis, injury, or life event, or reflects a quieter sense that something no longer feels as it once did.
I am a Clinical Psychologist registered with the HCPC. I am also a BABCP-accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, with additional training in systemic approaches with AFT, and in Clinical Neuropsychiatry. Alongside my private practice, I have worked within NHS and European public healthcare services since 2019.
I work with adults experiencing anxiety, low mood, trauma, pain, sleep problems, or feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure how to move forward. I often work with people navigating change - whether this follows diagnosis, injury, or life event, or reflects a quieter sense that something no longer feels as it once did.
I incorporate a range of therapeutic approaches from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Jungian Psychoanalysis, Narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
I work internationally with clients in general counselling and high performance coaching with professionals in the performing arts, business, athletics, film, advertising and creative industries. Areas clients and I have successfully worked in: stress, anxiety and depression, relationships, menopause and peri-menopause, coping with injury and chronic pain, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), international re-settlement, problems with confidence, over-thinking, preparing for interviews and auditions, creative blocks, interpersonal difficulties at work, major life and career changes. I work online and in person (UK and Finland).
I incorporate a range of therapeutic approaches from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Jungian Psychoanalysis, Narrative therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.
I work internationally with clients in general counselling and high performance coaching with professionals in the performing arts, business, athletics, film, advertising and creative industries. Areas clients and I have successfully worked in: stress, anxiety and depression, relationships, menopause and peri-menopause, coping with injury and chronic pain, Hypermobility Spectrum Disorders (HSD), international re-settlement, problems with confidence, over-thinking, preparing for interviews and auditions, creative blocks, interpersonal difficulties at work, major life and career changes. I work online and in person (UK and Finland).
See more therapy options for Oxford
Nearby Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Counsellors Searches for Oxford
- Abingdon
- Aylesbury
- Bicester
- Buckingham
- Chipping Norton
- Hemel Hempstead
- Henley-on-Thames
- High Wycombe
- Marlow
- Reading
- Thame
- Witney
Acceptance and Commitment (ACT) Counsellors
How does acceptance and commitment therapy work?
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy encourages a person to listen to their self-talk. A person’s inner dialog can be indicative of how they treat themselves. ACT also encourages self-compassion; this can lead to a better understanding of negative thought patterns and emotional states. This understanding can then lead the individual to needed behavior change.
What are the goals of acceptance and commitment therapy?
The goal of acceptance and commitment is to expand a person’s psychological flexibility, a trait that encourages an individual to live in the present moment and to accept all their thoughts, feelings, and emotions, even ones that are difficult such as sadness and anxiety. In ACT, this acceptance is congruent with the individual’s values and beliefs.
Does acceptance and commitment therapy work for depression?
Acceptance and commitment therapy is effective for depression because it allows the individual to view their discomfort and suffering differently. Depressive feelings about relationship heartaches, for example, are a part of life. A despondent person learns to let go of their struggles and instead view their painful thoughts and feelings with compassion. This will lead the individual toward positive change.
How long are people typically in acceptance and commitment therapy?
A typical acceptance and commitment therapy session is 50 minutes long with one session per week. Treatment for common problems such as anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties can last between eight weeks to four months. However, more severe cases may require more than one session a week and/or a longer time frame for treatment.