Debbie Cooley

• Addictions
• Trauma and abuse
• Grief support

About Debbie

Debbie Cooley works with addictions, trauma and abuse, and grief using a mix of talking and practical techniques. She is a BACP counsellor and has five years of professional experience in the United Kingdom.

She supports people affected by domestic violence, narcissistic abuse and sexual assault and abuse. She also helps those coping with drug and alcohol addiction, complicated grief including loss by suicide, and hospice and end-of-life concerns. Anxiety, panic and low self-esteem are other areas she commonly addresses.

Her approach is broadly psychotherapeutic and creative. She uses client-centred listening alongside attachment-based ideas and cognitive behavioural tools. Mindfulness techniques and motivational interviewing are other methods she draws on when they are helpful.

Sessions typically combine reflective conversation with practical exercises. That can mean exploring past relationships, trying new ways of thinking about distress, or using brief mindfulness practices to manage strong feelings. Creative methods are used at times to help people express things that are hard to put into words.

She has worked with people from LGBTQ+ communities and those exploring identity, sexuality and gender. Debbie aims to make sessions respectful and inclusive for every person who comes for support.

If you decide to start, you will complete a short matching questionnaire and then schedule a first session. The service uses a subscription model that can be cancelled at any time, and cost varies with location.

Therapeutic approaches and how they work online

Debbie draws on attachment-based therapy to look at how early and close relationships affect current patterns. This approach helps when problems link back to trust, abandonment or recurring relationship difficulties.

She also uses client-centred therapy, which focuses on listening and reflecting and helps people to make sense of their feelings in their own time. Cognitive behavioural therapy is used to identify unhelpful thinking and try small practical changes to reduce distress.

Choosing the right approach is part of the work. The counsellor will discuss different options with the client and agree what to try first based on needs, goals and personal preference. That decision is collaborative and can be reviewed as the work progresses.

Session formats are not specified in the biography, so please confirm the available session types before booking. Online sessions can make it easier to fit counselling around work and family life, reduce travel time, and allow for shorter check-ins when needed. They can also mean people do not need to use a lot of bandwidth if video is not required. Registered or accredited professionals and therapists commonly adapt methods for remote delivery so the same practical tools and reflective work can continue via digital appointments.

Topics Debbie lists

• Addictions
• Trauma and abuse
• Grief
• Abandonment
• Attachment issues
• Avoidant personality
• Co-morbidity
• Domestic violence
• Drug and alcohol addiction
• Guilt and shame
• Hospice and end-of-life counselling
• Men's issues
• Narcissism
• Panic disorder and panic attacks
• Post-traumatic stress
• Self-harm
• Self-love
• Sexual assault and abuse
• Sexuality
• Women's issues

Ways of working

• Attachment-Based Therapy
• Client-Centred Therapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Mindfulness Therapy
• Motivational Interviewing
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• Solution-Focused Therapy
• Somatic Therapy
• Trauma-Focused Therapy

Questions about Debbie

Does she work with addiction problems?

Yes. She works with drug and alcohol addiction and related co-morbidity using motivational interviewing and other approaches.

What kind of counselling style does she use?

Her style is client-centred and psychotherapeutic, incorporating attachment-based ideas and cognitive behavioural techniques.

How much experience does she have?

She has five years of professional experience as a counsellor in the United Kingdom.

Is she accredited and where is she based?

She is a BACP counsellor and works from the United Kingdom.

Can I have sessions in languages other than English?

Sessions are offered in English.

Does she accept international clients?

Yes. She accepts international clients.

How much do sessions cost?

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

How do I get started?

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