Cheryl McDonald-Tuckwell , BACP

Cheryl McDonald-Tuckwell is a UK-based counsellor with 16 years of professional experience. She offers weekly online sessions by video call, telephone, live chat, or text messaging. Cheryl describes her approach as adaptable and centred on the individual, meeting people where they are and helping them talk through difficult emotions and life decisions.

She aims to create a non-judgemental space where clients can speak openly and be heard. Sessions focus on exploring thoughts, feelings, needs and boundaries at a pace set by the client. Cheryl brings a calm, respectful tone and encourages clients to connect more clearly with themselves.

Her background includes work in GP practice settings, schools, women’s services and cancer support services. That work exposed her to a wide range of concerns such as anxiety, depression, grief, parenting challenges, bereavement and trauma. Cheryl also has experience supporting people affected by miscarriage, stillbirth and fertility loss.

Cheryl primarily trained in Person-Centred counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, and she draws on additional techniques including motivational interviewing and narrative approaches. She says therapy is a collaborative process and tailors methods to what each person needs that week.

As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, she offers a welcoming environment for people exploring sexual orientation and gender issues. She is also experienced in working with neurodivergent adults and children, with attention to social skills and emotional regulation in online sessions.

Therapeutic approaches and online support

Cheryl uses Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help people notice difficult thoughts and feelings, and then move toward actions that reflect their values. ACT can be useful when life feels stuck or when someone wants clearer direction in their choices.

She also draws on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which looks at the links between thoughts, feelings and behaviours and uses simple strategies to change unhelpful patterns. CBT is often used for anxiety, low mood and sleep or eating concerns.

Finding the right approach is part of the work together. Cheryl will discuss different methods and adapt them to your needs, goals and preferences. That collaborative process helps shape each session and what you try between meetings.

Online therapy offers practical benefits such as fitting sessions into a busy week and reducing travel time. Video calls let you see facial cues and body language, telephone sessions can work well with lower bandwidth, and live chat or text-based messaging suits shorter check-ins or people who prefer writing. These options make it easier to maintain regular weekly contact and to choose the format that best supports your progress.