Barbara Josik , BACP

Barbara Josik is a BACP counsellor who offers a calm, non-judgemental space for people to talk about difficult thoughts and feelings. She frames therapy around the person in front of her and aims to help them notice patterns that keep them stuck. Barbara works in English and Polish and practises online formats such as video, phone, live chat and messaging.

Her approach draws on client-centred work and psychodynamic ideas. That means sessions often begin with what is most on the client's mind and also look at how past experiences shape current reactions. She also uses techniques from cognitive behavioural therapy and mindfulness to help with day-to-day coping.

Barbara has four years of experience in various mental health settings. She has supported people facing anxiety, depression, trauma and abuse, grief and loss, and stress related to work or family life. She also helps with relationship concerns, self-esteem, addictions and intimacy-related issues.

Sessions are usually 50 minutes and scheduled weekly, with flexibility to meet more often if needed. The first meeting is an opportunity to explain how she works and for the client to describe what brought them to therapy, so both can decide how to proceed.

Her additional focus areas include attachment and abandonment concerns, body image, parenting pressures, codependency, coping with major life changes, and compassion fatigue. Barbara notes she works with issues linked to adoption, foster care and cancer-related challenges as part of this wider practice.

Therapeutic approaches and online sessions that fit your life

Client-centred therapy puts the person at the heart of the work. The counsellor listens carefully, reflects back what she hears, and helps people explore their own priorities and choices. This approach suits those who want a warm, accepting space to talk and understand themselves better.

Psychodynamic therapy looks at how past experiences influence present feelings and patterns. It helps people notice repetitive relationship dynamics, feelings of emptiness or abandonment, and habits that cause pain, so they can make different choices over time.

Barbara will work with the client to find the right mix of methods. Deciding which approach to use is a collaborative process based on your goals, the issues you bring, and what feels most helpful. She reviews progress with you and adjusts the focus as needed.

Online formats include video calls, phone sessions, live chat and text-based messaging. Video sessions allow face-to-face conversation from wherever you are. Phone sessions are useful when bandwidth is limited or you prefer not to be on camera. Live chat and messaging provide brief check-ins or a written way to reflect between meetings. Together these options make therapy more flexible and easier to fit into busy lives.