Chiara Stoten , BACP

Chiara Stoten is a counsellor who focuses on helping women navigate stress, anxiety and relationship or intimacy concerns. She speaks plainly and listens for what each person needs. Chiara draws on different ways of working so therapy matches the person rather than forcing a single method.

Chiara works with people experiencing trauma, abuse, depression, addiction and grief. She also supports those dealing with parenting strain, career pressures, eating or sleeping problems, ADHD, and issues around self-esteem and identity. LGBT concerns and intimacy-related difficulties are additional areas she commonly addresses.

Her approach blends person-centred listening with attention to how past experiences link to present life. She uses elements from psychodynamic and existential thinking to help people make sense of recurring patterns. Solution-focused techniques are used when practical, short-term change is the aim.

Chiara has six years of counselling experience, including running a private practice in and around Bristol for several years. She has worked with young people in schools and universities and with adults across the lifespan. Her BACP registration is included as a professional credential.

Sessions are guided by the client’s pace and goals. Chiara aims to help people find clarity, regain a feeling of control, and build practical steps forward. She welcomes conversations about how therapy could fit into each person’s life.

Therapeutic approaches for online counselling and how they help

Client-centred therapy focuses on listening without judgement and following the client's lead to build trust and clarity. It suits people who want a steady, respectful space to talk through feelings and decisions.

Psychodynamic therapy looks at links between past experiences and current patterns to help explain why some issues repeat. This can be useful for people dealing with long-standing relationship patterns, trauma responses or recurring difficulties.

Finding the right approach is part of the work. Chiara will discuss different ways of working and agree a plan based on a person's goals, needs and preferences. That means the focus can shift over time - from exploring history to trying short-term, solution-focused steps when someone wants immediate change.

Online formats offer practical flexibility. Video calls let people read facial expression and tone, phone sessions work when bandwidth is limited or when being on camera feels difficult, and live chat or text messaging suit shorter check-ins or working through thoughts between appointments. These options make it easier to fit therapy around work, caring duties or study commitments while still getting consistent support.