Belly Harding , BACP

Belly Harding is a counsellor who blends talking therapy with practical tools to help people manage distress and find clearer direction. She works with issues such as anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, trauma and abuse, and problems with self-esteem. Belly practises in English and French and brings seven years of experience to her work.

Belly studied psychology at master’s level, holding an MSc in Psychology from Manchester Metropolitan University. She is a BACP member and is currently a doctorate candidate in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy at Middlesex University. She also holds a certificate in Humanistic Therapies and Existential Counselling and a life coach qualification.

In sessions she mixes approaches to match the person in front of her. She uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to address patterns of thinking and behaviour. She draws on psychodynamic ideas to look at recurring life themes and attachment-based thinking to look at relationships and closeness.

Belly aims for an open and non-judgemental tone. Conversations are straightforward and focused on what the person wants to change. Practical steps and reflective discussion are combined so people can try new ways of coping between sessions.

She has worked with people affected by domestic violence, trauma, anxiety, depression, relationship breakdown and divorce. Belly also offers Christian counselling and supports people dealing with grief, addiction, work stress and life transitions.

Therapeutic approaches for online counselling and support

Belly commonly uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Attachment-Based ideas in her online work. CBT focuses on spotting unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns and trying small experiments to change them; it suits problems such as anxiety, low mood and sleep difficulties. Attachment-based ideas look at how early and current relationships shape feelings about closeness and trust, which can help with intimacy-related issues, relationship conflict and attachment difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the process. The therapist works collaboratively to learn your goals, preferences and situation, and then recommends techniques that fit. That way sessions are tailored and adjusted as progress is made or needs change.

Online therapy offers practical flexibility. Video calls allow face-to-face conversation when longer discussion is needed. Phone sessions can be used when bandwidth is limited or a simpler check-in is required. Live chat and text messaging suit shorter updates or moments when writing feels easier. These options make it simpler to fit therapy around work, family and travel while keeping focus on the work you want to do.