Anne-Marie Bates

• Stress and anxiety
• Relationship problems
• CBT and solution-focused

About Anne-Marie

Anne-Marie Bates works with stress, anxiety, relationship and family difficulties, depression and self-esteem concerns. She uses a person-centred way of working alongside cognitive and solution-focused techniques to help people clarify next steps. She is an Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and has 12 years of professional experience.

Anne-Marie offers straightforward talking sessions where the client leads what matters most. She listens without judgement and helps people notice patterns in thinking and behaviour. Sessions can include practical exercises from cognitive behavioural therapy and short-term goal planning from solution-focused work.

Her background includes supporting students and staff at a college of higher education and running a private practice. That mix means she is used to working with people from different backgrounds and life stages. She draws on examples and exercises that fit everyday life rather than technical language.

Common issues she helps with include body image, communication problems, control issues, feelings of emptiness, family problems, forgiveness, guilt and shame, and impulsivity. She also supports people dealing with isolation or loneliness, questions about life purpose and midlife change, self-harm thoughts, self-love and sexual concerns.

Anne-Marie explains options and agrees goals together with each person. She aims for clear, manageable steps so people can try different approaches between sessions. Practical progress is reviewed regularly and plans are adjusted as needed.

How her approaches work in online counselling

Anne-Marie combines client-centred work with cognitive behavioural and solution-focused methods to address practical problems. Client-centred work means the person sets the agenda and the counsellor listens and reflects what matters most. Cognitive behavioural therapy looks at links between thoughts, feelings and actions and uses simple exercises to test new ways of thinking. Solution-focused therapy concentrates on short-term goals and small steps that move a person towards clearer outcomes.

Deciding which approach to use is part of the work together. The counsellor will talk through options and agree what to try first based on the person’s needs, goals and preferences. This is a collaborative discussion and the plan can change as progress is reviewed.

If you are considering online sessions, please confirm the current session formats before booking as these are not specified here. Online counselling can make it easier to fit sessions into a busy week, reduce travel time and allow shorter check-ins when that suits you. It can also allow options such as not being on camera or choosing audio where that helps with concentration or bandwidth. Discuss practical arrangements when you first book so sessions fit your daily routine.

Topics Anne-Marie lists

• Stress and anxiety
• Relationship issues
• Family conflicts
• Depression
• Self-esteem
• Body image
• Communication problems
• Control issues
• Emptiness
• Family problems
• Forgiveness
• Guilt and shame
• Impulsivity
• Isolation and loneliness
• Life purpose
• Midlife crisis
• Self-harm
• Self-love
• Sexuality
• Social anxiety and phobia
• Women's issues
• Workplace issues
• Young adult issues

Ways of working

• Client-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Solution-Focused Therapy

Questions about Anne-Marie

Does she work with anxiety?

Yes. Anxiety and stress are listed as primary concerns she works with.

What kind of counselling does she offer?

She uses client-centred counselling combined with cognitive behavioural therapy and solution-focused techniques.

How much experience does she have?

She has 12 years of professional counselling experience.

Is she a recognised counsellor in the UK?

She is an Accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and practises in the United Kingdom.

Can I have sessions in other languages?

Sessions are offered in English only.

Can international clients work with her?

She does not take clients outside the United Kingdom.

How much do sessions cost?

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

How do I start counselling with her?

Use the Talk to a counsellor online button, complete a short matching questionnaire, and then schedule your first session.